Since Animal Crossing debuted in 2001, the game’s combination of cute characters and zany life-simulator gameplay has made it one of Nintendo’s most enduring franchises. The latest installment, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, has become the new must-have game since its release in 2020. Players have been captivated by the richly detailed world that exists just beneath the surface, but one question remains—when do the seasons change in New Horizons?
The Northern Hemisphere Year Cycle
The answer to this question lies in the game’s Northern Hemisphere yearly cycle. Following real-world seasonal patterns, each year in New Horizons consists of four months (March to June) of spring, four months (June to September) of summer, four months (September to December) of autumn, and four months (December to March) of winter. During each month players can observe distinct changes in weather and animal behaviors as they progress through the game.
For example, during spring players may observe blooming flowers or falling cherry blossoms—all while being serenaded by k.k reggae music and witnessing the gradual transformation of familiar NPCs like Tom Nook from thick winter coats into Hawaiian shirts. During summer players can enjoy activities like ocean fishing or beach parties while watching cicadas sing from trees or searching for starfish at Tortimer Island. Autumn brings a new set of animals such as ducks and goats as well as harvests such as fruits and mushrooms.
Seasonal Events
In addition to these observable differences between seasons comes a variety of seasonal events that occur during certain times throughout each year. These events range from standard holiday celebrations like Thanksgiving and Easter to more unique festivities such as Nature Day or Fishing Tourney Day. Each event adds its own twist on gameplay