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The start of December brings a new season to players’ islands in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with new critters to be caught on land, sea, and beneath the waves. Players with islands in the Northern Hemisphere will find themselves plunged into the depths of winter for the start of the festive season, while those in the Southern Hemisphere will be able to enjoy a balmy summer holiday. Snow will also fall starting on December 9th in the Northern Hemisphere, creating a wintery atmosphere for festive December events including Toy Day and New Year's Eve.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons received its last major update in 2021, although based on everything that goes on during December in-game, players may not need another Animal Crossing update. With two major seasonal events and several new critters that players can catch to add to their island museums, there’s still plenty for players to do and engage with.
New Bugs (And Where To Find Them)
Northern Hemisphere
Name |
Location |
Time Of Day |
Sell Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Flying |
5pm-8am |
4,000 |
|
Rajah Brooke's birdwing |
Flying |
8am-5pm |
2,500 |
Dung beetle |
Rolling snowballs on the ground |
All day |
3,000 |
Southern Hemisphere
Name |
Location |
Time Of Day |
Sell Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Emperor Butterfly |
Flying |
5pm-8am |
4,000 |
Firefly |
Flying |
7pm-4am |
300 |
Mosquito |
Flying |
5pm-4am |
130 |
Drone beetle |
On trees |
All day |
200 |
On trees |
7pm-8am |
6,000 |
|
Goliath beetle |
On palm trees |
5pm-8am |
8,000 |
New Fish (And Where To Find Them)
Northern Hemisphere
Name |
Location |
Time Of Day |
Sell Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Pond smelt |
River |
All day |
500 |
Clifftop River |
4pm-9am |
15,000 |
|
Sea |
All day |
1,000 |
|
Squid |
Sea |
All day |
500 |
Sea |
All day |
9,000 |
Southern Hemisphere
Name |
Location |
Time Of Day |
Sell Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Pond |
9am-4pm |
5,500 |
|
Gar |
Pond |
4pm-9am |
6,000 |
River |
All day |
800 |
|
Piranha |
River |
9am-4pm, 9pm-4am |
2,500 |
River |
4pm-9am |
10,000 |
|
Dorado |
River |
4am-9pm |
15,000 |
River |
4pm-9am |
10,000 |
|
River |
9pm-4am |
4,000 |
|
Sea |
All day |
600 |
|
Sea |
4pm-9am |
12,000 |
|
Sea |
4pm-9am |
8,000 |
|
Sea |
4pm-9am |
15,000 |
|
Sea |
All day |
13,000 |
|
Suckerfish |
Sea |
All day |
1,500 |
New Deep-Sea Creatures
Northern Hemisphere
Name |
Time Of Day |
Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
Lobster |
All day |
4,500 |
Southern Hemisphere
Name |
Time Of Day |
Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
Abalone |
4pm-9am |
2,000 |
Gazami crab |
All day |
2,200 |
Mussel |
All day |
1,500 |
Sea grapes |
All day |
900 |
4pm-9am |
3,000 |
December Events And Seasonal Items
Players enjoying the warm weather in the Southern Hemisphere will be able to take part in Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ Bug Off event on December 17th. This event is hosted by Flick, and players can speak to him to enter the Bug Off competition. Players are challenged to catch as many bugs as they can in return for points that can be redeemed for a variety of bug-themed items.
Players in both hemispheres will also be able to enjoy the festive season between December 15th and January 6th. During this time, cedar trees will be decorated and drop special ornaments when shaken. Ornaments serve as crafting ingredients for special holiday-themed DIY recipes, such as the ornamental wreath. Players can also prepare for Animal Crossing’s Toy Day on December 24th, coinciding with Christmas Eve, when they can exchange gifts with their villagers. Jingle will also make his annual appearance, tasking players with crafting some festive wrapping paper and running around town with a magic bag, delivering gifts. Once completed, Jingle will reward players with a Toy Day Sleigh and the DIY Recipe for the Gift Pile.
Finally, players can also celebrate New Year’s Eve on December 31st. Several New Year-themed items will become available in the Nook Shopping app, allowing players to set up a party to welcome in the new year. Players can also celebrate with Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ New Year’s Eve Countdown in the town square to dance with their villagers, throw party poppers, and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.
Source: Animal Crossing Wiki
