Festivale has been an annual tradition in Animal Crossing through two previous versions of the game. Launching two days after Ash Wednesday, this day-long event transpires in either February or March, depending on the year. In 2021, the event is scheduled to begin on Feb. 15. Based on the popular holiday events known as Mardi Gras and Carnival, Festivale is an exciting and colorful event that promises no rain or snow, but confetti has been known to fall from the sky.
Featuring Pavé the Peacock, past Festivales granted players the chance to collect candy and feathers to earn items from the event collection. With the event just around the corner in New Horizons and set to download in the January update, one can only assume it will be similar to Festivales of Animal Crossings past.
Festivale first appeared in City Folk. During daytime hours, villagers outside of their homes challenged the player to an assortment of games like Imaginary Soccer, Rock Paper, Scissors and Coin Toss. Winning the game earned players candy, which could then be exchanged with Pavé for items in the Pavé series. If the player lost the game, however, they were required to give the villager candy or 500 Bells. There were specific colors of candy Pavé requested in order to receive items, and the player needed three candies in that color.
In New Leaf, Nintendo switched things up a little bit, making players collect feathers to exchange with Pavé instead. Players had to collect the feathers with a net as they fell from the sky with confetti in a variety of colors, including red, pink, purple and rainbow. Pavé assigned the player the task of collecting a certain color and number of feathers, and upon receiving the requested feathers he would dance. When players offered him a rainbow feather, he'd do a special dance instead.
Games included Rock, Paper, Scissors, Made Ya Look and Charades. Villagers walked around the village singing the town tune and dancing in colorful, feathered headdresses. Villagers both inside and outside their homes were available to play games, and winning a game earned players a feather. Some villagers even gave feathers without being asked for anything in return.
Exchanging candy and feathers with Pavé granted players special furniture pieces from the Pavé collection, which included items like a bed, bookshelf, sofa and lamp, to name a few.
With Festivale coming up in New Horizons, speculating what players can expect means taking a look at Festivales from previous games and how Nintendo has handled other holidays and events in-game. Oftentimes, players are expected to collect recipes in order to build the collection items, so it is possible that instead of getting the items from Pavé in New Horizons, players may earn the recipes instead and have to build them with the feathers they collect.
One thing is certain: Confetti will rain down from the sky, perhaps carrying feathers with it, and there will be games, dancing and fun for all during Festivale.