Hello fellow Stardew Valley players! In the game, there are many different festivals, each with unique goods, recipes, and activities. Some festivals are essential to attend, while others are not. In this article, we’ll use the Egg Festival as an example and discuss five common features of all festivals.
1. Festivals always occur on sunny days Every festival has a fixed date, and just like the first day of each month, the weather on festival days is always sunny. Even using a Rain Totem cannot change the weather on these days. Therefore, consecutive rainy days can only continue up until a festival or a change in season. In the first year, the weather from Spring 1 to Spring 4 is fixed, so how many rainy days can you have in your first Spring?
2. Letters serve as reminders The Egg Festival takes place on the 13th of Spring. The Mayor will send a letter on the 12th as a reminder. If you check your mailbox regularly, you’ll notice that the Mayor sends reminders before each festival, informing you about the festival’s location, time, and activities. The reminder timing may vary from one day to a week, depending on the festival. On the festival day, you cannot access the festival area before it starts. Once the festival begins, a text reminder will appear at the bottom left of the screen. If you miss the festival, there will be no reminder, and you won’t be able to access the festival area.
3. Time stands still during festivals While participating in a festival, time is locked, and it won’t progress. If you don’t leave the festival area, the festival will never end. In most cases, you can’t view your item bar, but you can open your inventory to check your items. You also can’t use tools, weapons, or consume speed-increasing meals during the festival. Once you leave the festival area, the event will end, and you’ll be teleported to your farmhouse’s entrance at a fixed time in the evening. Therefore, it’s best to complete your daily tasks before attending a festival to avoid running out of time afterward, such as petting your farm animals. However, you don’t need to feed your animals on festival days.
4. Special events and items Many festivals have special shops selling unique items. For example, during the Egg Festival, you can buy Strawberry seeds, which Pierre doesn’t sell at his shop. Talking to villagers during festivals counts as regular conversations, and it increases your friendship with them. You can even complete the “meet everyone” quest during a festival. However, trading with Pierre doesn’t count as a conversation; you have to approach him from the back of his house. Festivals also feature various activities, such as the egg hunt during the Egg Festival. By talking to the Mayor, you can participate in the egg hunt. If you find nine eggs, you’ll win first place and receive a Straw Hat as a reward, allowing you to inherit the will of the Pirate King. If you don’t win, Abigail becomes the Pirate King, and the festival ends, teleporting you back to your home.
5. Villagers’ homes are closed Villagers follow their usual routines during most festivals, but their homes remain locked all day. This also applies to shops, meaning you can’t visit them even if you don’t participate in the festival. When you need to find a villager, be mindful of the festival’s location and locked doors. However, the Sewers, Community Center, Movie Theater, and Spa remain open and accessible during festivals.
Enjoy your time in Stardew Valley and make the most of each festival’s unique offerings!