New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is a celebration of the past year that occurs in all versions of Animal Crossing. As the first part of the two-part New Year celebration, this holiday is the climax of each year. Tortimer hosts an outdoor countdown party for the villagers in town. The day following the celebration is New Year's Day, the second part of the New Year celebration.

The holiday is analogous with the real world holiday of the same name celebrated in countries which use the Gregorian calendar. While the name of the holiday and how it is celebrated vary from person to person, typically hold parties with their friends and/or family until the clock strikes midnight as they countdown the seconds until the New Year begins. Traditionally many western countries, people “Auld Lang Syne,” a practice mirrored by the villagers. Translated from Gaelic, the song's title means “Times Gone By.”

Portrayal Animal Forest and its Ports

 * First appearing in Animal Forest, the following version of this event is mirrored by Animal Forest+, Animal Crossing, and Animal Forest e+.

Event Basics
 * Date: December 31st – January 1st
 * Time: 11:00pm – 1:00am
 * Location: large pond
 * Tortimer Item(s): party popper

At exactly 11:00pm, a cutscene plays, in which Pelly announces from the Train Station's loudspeaker that the celebration is beginning. The cutscene will also play if a player begins play after 11:00. Once control returns to the player, Tortimer appears near the pond along with the countdown board. Special music plays in the background and the animal villagers begin to congregate about the pond. If the player speaks with Tortimer, the mayor will give him or her party poppers until midnight. Players may stock up on these items for the big event. As time passes, the villagers become more and more excited in their conversations. At 11:59pm, with only a few seconds left in the old year, the music silences and the board begins emitting beeps upon each new second.

With a loud beep, the board beckons in the New Year at 12:00am midnight. As the town clock plays the town tune, the hour long fireworks display begins and each of the villagers begins to celebrate, whistling a tune that resembles “Auld Lang Syne.” Players can see the fireworks by watching their reflections in the pond. At this point, Tortimer stops handing out party poppers. The New Year's Eve celebration ends at exactly 1:00am, but the New Year celebration continues the next day with the New Year's Day events.

Portrayal in Animal Crossing: Wild World

 * First appearing in Animal Crossing: Wild World, the following version of this event has not been mirrored by any other game.

At exactly 11:00pm, a cutscene plays, in which Pelly announces from the Town Hall's loudspeaker that the celebration is beginning. The cutscene will also play if a player begins play after 11:00. Tortimer appears next to the Town Hall's plaza alongside countdown board and special music plays in the background at this time. Several animal villagers may congregate around the board at this time, but only if this is their first New Year's Eve celebration in the town. Tortimer offers players party poppers until midnight. Players may stock up on these items for the big event. As time passes, the villagers become more and more excited in their conversations. At 11:59pm, with only a few seconds left in the old year, the music silences and the board begins emitting beeps upon each new second.

With a loud beep, the board beckons in the New Year at 12:00am midnight. As the town clock plays the town tune, the hour long fireworks display begins and each of the villagers begins to celebrate, whistling and prancing about happily. Players can see the fireworks in the top screen of their Nintendo DS systems. At this point, Tortimer stops handing out party poppers. The New Year's Eve celebration ends at exactly 1:00am, but the New Year celebration continues the next day with the New Year's Day events.