Game Guide/Yearly Events
This article is a copy of "In-Game Yearly Events", a collection of official articles from the World of Warcraft Community Site. These articles overviewed the yearly world events and holidays available in World of Warcraft prior to Cataclysm. The original articles are no longer available, but they can still be viewed through online archives (see below).
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To help offset the strain and tension of constant warfare, the leaders of the Horde and the Alliance occasionally organize full-blown festivities for their people, centered around holidays and special events. What better way to celebrate the year's victories and other achievements than in the company of a few thousand of your closest allies?
New Years
Another year is ending in the rich world of Azeroth. Countless battles have been fought, and numerous accolades achieved. It is time to laud victories and give remembrance to those lost. In celebration of the old year's passing and anticipation of the new, skilled brewers and talented pyrotechnicians have brought their finest creations to the bustling cities; join the party underway and ring in the new year with your fellow adventurers!
Features
Type: Holiday Event
Date: December 31st - January 1st
Location: around Azeroth
Fireworks
The innovative and artistic engineers of Undermine have been slaving away since their display of pyrotechnics in July. Their latest and greatest -- not to mention highly dangerous to operate -- creations will be on display in the cities of the world every hour after sunset. Keep your eyes to the skies, and be sure to stick around for the finale!
Potent Potables
What good is a party without sampling some of the brewers' delicious work? Kegs of the finest brews are available in the cities of Azeroth, bringing good cheer as we bid farewell to the old year. Cups are available for all party-goers; simply pick one up and fill up at the keg to warm your belly and lift your heart!
Revelers, All
Many soldiers formerly abroad have come home to engage in the festivities. Share in the merriment and dance with the revelers, or, if you're so inclined, blow a kiss to one that catches your eye. It's all in fun, after all; they appreciate the attention!
Screenshots
Lunar Festival
Every year the druids of Moonglade hold a celebration of their city's great triumph over an ancient evil. During the Lunar Festival, citizens of Azeroth have the opportunity to honor their elders by celebrating their sage wisdom, sharing in magnificent feasts, and of course... shooting fireworks!
Features
Type: Holiday Event
Location: All Major Cities, Booty Bay, Moonglade
Omen
The beast of Omen was once a hero of this world. A wolf of great strength and fortune, Omen fought beside the heroes of the War of the Ancients until he succumbed to demonic magics. Turning against his allies, he raged across Azeroth and carried death and terror in his wake. Finally defeated in Moonglade, Omen now sleeps among the silt of Lake Elune'ara. But each new year, during the festival, he stirs...
Elders
During the Lunar Festival, adventurers will have the opportunity to honor many of their elders, and by doing so, they will also honor their culture and their people. For this, the Coins of Ancestry serve as a tangible means to recognize those who have chosen the venerable path of respect. Those who are recognized thus will have their diligence rewarded with a selection of unique items.
Fireworks
The innovative and artistic engineers of Undermine have been slaving away since their display of pyrotechnics in July. Their latest and greatest -- not to mention highly dangerous to operate -- creations will be on display in the cities of the world every hour after sunset. Keep your eyes to the skies, and be sure to stick around for the finale!
Revelers, All
Many soldiers formerly abroad have come home to engage in the festivities. Share in the merriment and dance with the revelers, or, if you're so inclined, blow a kiss to one that catches your eye. It's all in fun, after all; they appreciate the attention!
Festival Outfits
To help celebrate the festivities, a selection of unique clothing become available to adventurers. Such outfits have been worn in times past during the Lunar Festival and each is hand-crafted with only the finest soft fabrics and other quality components.
History
The Lunar Festival is a time of celebration. The peoples of Azeroth celebrate their triumph of many thousands of years ago, when an alliance of good races (Night Elves, Tauren, and Earthen - a proto-dwarven race) defeated a terrible evil. It is also a time of remembrance for the valor and wisdom of that ancient age.
The demi-god Omen was a being of great strength and knowledge. Blessed by Elune, Omen wandered primordial Kalimdor, guiding hunters and gatherers and offering luck and advice to all he met. When the Burning Legion launched their attack, Omen allied with Azeroth's defenders. He fought bravely but after many battles his wounds from demonic forces plunged Omen into a deep, dreaming sleep... where fel-inspired nightmares slowly consumed him. When he finally awoke, centuries later, he had fallen to madness.
The transformed Omen rampaged. No longer a creature of wisdom - but still possessing the strength of Elune's blessing - he tore through the land, killing and devouring. Terror rode before him, and death trailed in his wake.
Omen's spree of horror ended when a coterie of ancient heroes gathered in the village of Nighthaven and faced the beast. They called down the moon's wrath and Omen, blinded and stunned by the power of the moon goddess, fled into the deep waters of Lake Elune'ara. That day marked the end of his rampage, and symbolized a new beginning for the people of Azeroth and the followers of Elune.
Today, the Lunar Festival is held by the druids of Nighthaven. Both the Horde and Alliance are welcomed to celebrate and shoot fireworks - a symbol of Elune's power. Ancient heroes of the past also appear throughout the land, offering gifts to those who find and honor them.
It is a time of happiness and fortune and celebration, but it has a deeper motive as well...
Omen, defeated so many centuries ago, yet remains in Lake Elune'ara. Although driven insane by the Burning Legion, the demi-god still possesses Elune's blessing and is, hence, immortal. During the Lunar Festival, he stirs... and heroes of the land are called to defeat him once again.
Screenshots
Player-Submitted Screenshot Gallery
Original Screenshot Gallery
Love is in the Air
Something is in the air in the major cities of Azeroth. Some call it love, and some just call it friendship and admiration. Whichever it is, many guards and townsfolks now spend their days giving and receiving tokens and gifts to other amorous citizens.
The more skeptical, however, are suspicious of the strange "love sickness" clouding the hearts of so many. Will this widespread occurrence be simply taken as a recent outbreak of amore? Or will our brave adventurers find a sinister plot behind the source of this plague of passion? Only time will tell...
Features
Type: Unexplained Phenomenon
Location: Stormwind, Ironforge, Darnassus, Thunder Bluff, Orgrimmar, Undercity
Vendors
Lovely Merchant NPCs in each race's capital cities offer to exchange love-themed items, including those listed below, for Love Tokens. You can continue to gain Love Tokens by completing daily quests.
Daily Quests
Each of these quests awards Love Tokens which can be used to purchase items from Lovely Merchants.
- Crushing the Crown - Kill 5 Crown Sprayers and use Snagglebolt's Khorium Bomb to destroy one chemical wagon.
- Gifts to Faction Leaders - Present a Lovely Charm Bracelet to one of the faction leaders. There are four daily quests, one for each of the faction leaders. To collect Lovely Charms, you'll need a Lovely Charm Collector's Kit, which you can request from Kwee Q. Peddlefeet at the Crown Chemical Co. camp near any capital city auction house. Once you have the kit, killing enemies that can grant you experience will also reward you with Lovely Charms. 10 Lovely Charms can be converted into one Lovely Charm Bracelet.
- A Cloudlet of Classy Cologne - Spray 10 people with the Crown Cologne Sprayer.
- A Perfect Puff of Perfume - Spray 10 people with the Crown Perfume Sprayer.
- Bonbon Blitz - Toss 10 people samples from the Crown Chocolate Sampler.
Bouquet of Ebon Roses
You can obtain a Bouquet of Ebon Roses that is part of the criteria for the achievement "My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose" from the following bosses:
- Maiden of Grief (Halls of Stone)
- Prince Keleseth (Utgarde Keep)
- Prince Taldaram (Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom)
Seasonal Boss
A special boss is located inside Shadowfang Keep, deep within Silverpine Forest. For the daily quest “You’ve Been Served,” you’ll need to serve the Court Subpoena to Apothecary Hummel in Shadowfang Keep. This is similar to the special bosses that are available for Brewfest and Hallow’s End. You can complete this quest each day, and one time per party member. After being served, Apothecary Hummel drops special items, including a rare flying mount.
Screenshots
Player-Submitted Screenshot Gallery
Check out 34 of our favorite screenshots submitted by players below:
Original Screenshot Gallery
Noblegarden
Its origins steeped in druidic festivals from times long past, the current incarnation of Noblegarden is a contrast between ancient traditions and modern interpretations. While some races of Azeroth try to stay true to the original spirit of the holiday, others prefer a more lighthearted approach -- in essence, looking everywhere for festively decorated eggs and collecting the goodies found therein. One tenet all can agree on is that the feast of Noblegarden is meant to bring communities together to share the joy of life and friendship.
- Features I Want a Noblegarden Egg!
- The egg hunt is on! The towns of Azeroth and their immediate environs have been liberally sprinkled with Noblegarden eggs for players to collect in a ravenous frenzy -- er, in the spirit of sharing. These eggs contain treats fit for commoners and kings alike -- mostly, they contain delicious Noblegarden chocolate.
- Every so often, a Noblegarden egg will contain something besides chocolate, as a variety of special items are also hidden inside. These special items include seasonal clothing, special prizes, and more. However, if you're not fortunate enough to find the prize you want, you can still purchase them from special vendors located in towns. The currency for these prizes? Noblegarden chocolate, of course!
- Achievements and Daily Quests
- New achievements have been added for Noblegarden and can be seen in the World Events section in the Achievements interface. In addition, a new daily quest is offered from Noblegarden questgivers located in towns.
- Looking for Tips?
- Check out our General Links for some guides to Noblegarden.
Player Submitted Screenshots
Children's Week
Celebrated by both the Horde and the Alliance, Children's Week is a time for the heroes of both factions to give something back to the innocents of war: the orphans!
Features
Type: Children's Holiday
Date: May 2 - 8
Location: Stormwind, Orgrimmar, Shattrath
Sightseeing
All orphans wish they had someone to show them the wonders of the world. Throughout the year, they spend their time wandering around their home cities of Stormwind or Orgrimmar, dreaming of the day they'll be old enough (and big enough) to venture out into the world alone and see the sights their parents would have shown them. During Children's Week, though, brave adventurers for the Horde and the Alliance can make these kids' dreams come true! To help these kids see the world, all you have to do is visit the orphanage for your faction. Talk to either Orphan Matron Nightingale in Stormwind (Alliance) or Orphan Matron Battlewail in Orgrimmar (Horde). After that, you and your young friend can adventure together across Azeroth! Below are some of the places and people the orphans want to visit:
- The bank in Darnassus (Alliance)
- The lighthouse in Westfall (Alliance)
- Jaina Proudmoore in Theramore (Alliance)
- Mor'shan Rampart (Horde)
- Lordaeron Throne Room (Horde)
- Cairne Bloodhoof in Thunder Bluff (Horde)
Pet Rewards
After you complete your adventures across the lands of Azeroth, bring your young friend back to the orphanage. He will then be so thrilled and grateful that he will offer you one of his favorite pets to remember him by!
Children's Week in Shattrath
Victims of war in Outland, the orphans of Shattrath's Lower City also need company and adventure. Talk to Orphan Matron Mercy to offer an orphan the adventure of a lifetime as you take them travelling across Outland and learn a little about your ward along the way.
The outcome of the ongoing battle against the Burning Legion may one day lie in the hands of these children, so a little encouragement, or a push in the right direction, could make all the difference. Prepare yourself for answering all those tricky questions that children ask, as you show them the sights of:
- The Dark Portal
- The Exodar (Alliance)
- Silvermoon City (Horde)
- Caverns of Time
- ... and meet some unexpected people along the way
And while doing a good deed is a reward in itself, there's something special waiting for you back in Shattrath to help you remember your orphan friend throughout the year ahead.
Screenshots
Midsummer Fire Festival
Type: Holiday Event
Date: June 21 - July 4
Location: Azeroth and Outland
Ah, so you weren't chosen for Flamekeeper this year? Don't fret, my friend! The Midsummer Fire Festival isn't merely about that traditional honor; it's a time of merriment, a chance to celebrate the hottest season of the year by lighting great fires across the land and sharing in what the elemental spirits can offer. Come to our camps and join in the revelry!
Tending the Flames
Across Azeroth, brilliant bonfires have been lit to signify the hottest months of the year. The chosen Flamekeepers are eager to ensure they continue burning long into the days and nights of the celebration - and they seek the aid of able explorers in doing so. Traverse the land and delve into dangerous dungeons at their behest. You may return hot, sweaty, and a little sooty...but these spiritual guides understand well the need to reward adventurers beyond the promise of "enlightenment."
Joining the Festivities
Every city has a prominently located Fire Festival camp where you can pick up quests to participate in the Festival fun. Shattrath City has a camp as well, but it does not offer all of the quests. The Midsummer Fire Festival has plenty to offer to both high level and lower level characters. By doing the quests and visiting the flames around the world, characters will earn gold, experience, and perhaps participate in some World PvP and exploration. In addition, groups of maximum level characters can summon a new boss with epic rewards for the duration of the event. Characters of all levels can turn in Burning Blossoms for unique Fire Festival rewards.
Features
Burning Blossoms
Burning Blossoms are the currency used for the Fire Festival and are used to purchase seasonal reward items from Midsummer Suppliers and Merchants. You can collect Burning Blossoms by completing quests, including the daily quests that are part of the festival. Using them near a Fire Festival Bonfire also grants a temporary but useful buff to your character, or reignites an extinguished bonfire - but consumes the blossom in the process.
Ahune, the Frost Lord
Characters of level 78 or higher can utilize the Looking for Dungeon tool to do battle with Ahune, the Frost Lord. Ahune is a unique seasonal boss, similar to Hallow's End's Headless Horseman, who can only be confronted during the Fire Festival. If you can find and defeat Ahune, you'll be able to loot his special rewards, including a selection of epic items and a brand new Frigid Frostling pet.
Dancing Around the Ribbon Pole
At every festival camp, one of these traditional decorations stands tall beside the bonfire. Take up one of the multi-colored ribbons and dance around the pole with your friends and fellow celebrants! The activity may appear a bit frivolous for your average ferocious fighter, but even the most seasoned veteran can appreciate the resulting 10% bonus to experience from killing monsters.
Torch Tossing
So you want to be a fire juggler? If you think you have what it takes - the dexterity, the reflexes, the courage - this is your chance to prove it! Take the provided torches and look for the braziers with markers flashing above them. While standing near the bonfire, throw a torch at each brazier as soon a mark appears above it. You must hit the marked brazier before the mark fades if you want credit for the toss. It's a good idea to place the practice torch on your action bar for easy access. After you have completed this quest, you unlock a follow-up quest to catch torches (below), and subsequently, a daily version.
Torch Catching
After successfully completing Torch Tossing, you're ready to show that you can not only throw torches, but catch them as well. Take the provided unlit torches and stand near the bonfire. Throw a torch in the air by right-clicking it, then follow its flight path (look for the shadow it casts on the ground) and catch it when it lands. To ensure that you catch the torch, stop running the instant before it lands. After you catch enough torches, you will unlock a daily version of this quest and Torch Tossing (above) which each grant five Burning Blossoms a day. Additionally, you will be able to toss torches to and catch torches from other players.
Unusual Activity
While celebration has its place, there are graver matters to attend to as well. When the festival began, reports began filtering in from Ashenvale about a sharp increase in Twilight Cult activity. Go to the camp just south of the Blackfathom Deeps entrance, in the ruins, and see if the cultists there will part with this information. This quest line continues on, eventually unlocking a daily quest for ten Burning Blossoms where the objective is to kill a particular enemy NPC.
Honor or Desecrate the Flame
Festival fires burn across the land, in Alliance and Horde settlements alike. If you make time to honor those of your faction, while desecrating those of the opposing faction, you will earn rewards for your efforts. You receive five Burning Blossoms for each same-faction fire you honor and ten for each opposing-faction fire you desecrate, and there are about 30 of each. Each individual fire can only be interacted with once per year. If you find them all, you can collect over 300 Burning Blossoms - which comes in handy if you wish to buy the big prizes. Additionally, if you manage to sneak into an enemy capital city to descecrate their flame, you will be rewarded with gold, a choice of consumable items, and 25 Burning Blossoms. You must be level 50 or above to capture the flame of an enemy capital. If you capture the flame of all four enemy capitals you will receive a special reward - the wearable Crown of the Fire Festival! The enemy players and guards likely won't take too kindly to your efforts, however. To add extra incentive to keeping your flame alive, all friendly players in the vicinity of a lit flame for your faction receive a special buff that grants bonus fire damage with every attack - and if your flame gets snuffed out, so does the buff.
Fire in the Sky
The lengthy Midsummer Fire Festival traditionally ends with the sky itself being set alight. The goblins of Undermine have lent their considerable skill (and copious amounts of gunpowder) to the task, resulting in a tremendous fireworks show! Take up a festival mug and raise a toast to the season as the multicolored explosions dance across the sky above you!
Peon Day
On September 30th, goblin vendors arrived in Stormwind and Orgrimmar. These vendors sold fireworks at discounted prices. The reason? So that everyone might celebrate the Day that was saved by the hard work of the mighty peon and the great peasant!
Legend has it that long ago, the leaders of the two races: orc and human, each called upon a lowly worker and assigned him a great task. This task had to be finished by the end of the day, lest the world suffer grave consequence. Working diligently, both completed their task four minutes before the day ended. Thus, on the anniversary of that day, we celebrate in honor of them and of all the peons and the peasants everywhere.
Harvest Festival
Celebrated by both the Horde and the Alliance, the Harvest Festival is a time to commemorate those who have sacrificed their lives to help their allies. The Alliance honors the memory of all the fallen, but most especially Uther Lightbringer. The Horde also remembers those who have fallen, with special emphasis on the memory of Grom Hellscream.
Features
Type: Memorial Holiday
Date: September 16 - September 22
Location: Ironforge, Orgrimmar
Honoring a Hero
Throughout history, many have given their lives to aid their allies. Every year, members of the Horde and the Alliance set aside time to honor the memories of the fallen and to pay tribute to those whose memories are held most dear: Uther Lightbringer, for the Alliance, and Grom Hellscream, for the Horde. Heroes take time from their adventures to visit the graves of these two great leaders and to leave a tribute to them at the memorial. To show their respect, members of the Alliance light a candle at the Tomb of Uther Lightbringer in the Western Plaguelands. Members of the Horde show their respect to Grom Hellscream by leaving a bottle of spirits at the base of the Hellscream Memorial in Demon Fall Canyon in Ashenvale.
Also, adventurers can see the spirits of the fallen outside of Orgrimmar and Ironforge and can take a moment to heft a mug of Harvest Nectar to their memory. Other harvest foods are laid out on the tables as well, for those who have made the perilous journey to their hero's tomb to pay him tribute. Adventurers can satisfy their hunger on Harvest Fish, Harvest Fruits, or Harvest Boar, as well as quaffing some Harvest Nectar.
Rewards
After you complete your journey to your hero's tomb and have left a tribute to his memory, return to Javnir Nashak outside of Orgrimmar or to Wagner Hammerstrike outside of Ironforge in order to receive your reward:
Festival Foods
As part of remembering the fallen heroes, feasts will be held outside of Ironforge and Orgrimmar. Adventurers are invited to partake of the feasts and let the food strengthen them so that they may face whatever comes their way. The foods available at the Harvest Festival are:
Screenshots
Enjoy this player-submitted screenshot gallery of the Harvest Festival.
Pirates' Day
Type: Single-day holiday event
Date: September 19
Location: Booty Bay, Stranglethorn Vale
Yarrrr matey, it be Pirates' Day! Commoners wearing pirate garb have appeared in all the world's cities with the news that the Dread Captain DeMeza and her crew have landed in Booty Bay and declared it Pirates' Day! If you are brave enough to share a drink with her, you may have what it takes to become an honorary crew member for the day.
First, talk to any pirate commoner to receive a costume to help you get into the spirit of Pirates' Day. Once appropriately attired, head down to Booty Bay to join in the fun. There, look for Dread Captain Demeza and her crew, who have taken over the roof of the Booty Bay bank and auction house. By talking to Captain DeMeza, players become an honorary crew member and transform into a pirate of their race and gender for 12 hours. This costume buff may be clicked off but persists through combat, mounting, death, and so on. Other highlights of the holiday include:
- A large crowd of pirate revelers ("Dread Crew") who dance, talk, eat, drink, laugh, and shoot fireworks. Ask Baron Revilgaz what he thinks of the visitors.
- The Tauren First Mate Hapana and his giant South Seas assault parrot, Nyuni.
- A trio of cannons and cannoneers who periodically fire out into the bay - at times, just barely missing the sails of the incoming transport. Those crazy corsairs.
- Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket, two curiously-named pirates.
- Lively pirate-themed music that plays upon the rooftop.
Screenshots
Brewfest
Celebrated by both the Horde and the Alliance, the Brewfest is a time to enjoy the fruits of the harvest: pretzels, cheese, and brew! The competing breweries Thunderbrew, Barleybrew, and the Ogres, all come together outside of all the major cities in a bid to outdo each other with their special ales, meads, and beers. Brave adventurers are invited to sit back, take a pull, and sample the finest wares these brewers have to offer!
Features
Type: Brewfest
Date: September 20 - October 5
Location: The main Brewfest festivals are located near Orgrimmar and Ironforge. Beer gardens will also be set up outside of Silvermoon City, Darnassus, Undercity, Stormwind, Thunder Bluff, the Exodar, and Shattrath.
Enjoying the Brew
Complimentary mugs filled with fresh, foamy beer sit atop tables outside of all the major cities. If you drink one down while standing near one of the brewers' stands outside of Ironforge or Orgrimmar, one of their assistants will toss you a new mug. You can also fill up your empties at any of the kegs sitting near the brewers' stands. At Brewfest, you'll never have to worry about how you'll quench your thirst!
Things To Do
Brewfest is about more than just sampling fine ales from all over Azeroth and Outland. Read on to find out what mighty deeds you can do while quenching your thirst:
- Ram Racing
- In the spirit of Brewfest, adventurers can attempt to prove their ram-riding skills by speaking with Neill Ramstein or Ram Master Ray. Before they'll trust you with their precious rams, though, you'll need to prove you can control one! Once you've proven your expertise at handling the rams, you can earn Brewfest Prize Tokens by picking up kegs of brew from Kharanos or Razor Hill and bringing them back to the fest.
- Seek the Saboteurs
- It's time to track down the source of the Dark Iron attacks and end them once and for all. Players will follow a trail of evidence that leads to Blackrock Depths, where parties of five players can do battle with the mastermind behind the attacks - Coren Direbrew. Direbrew is a special boss who can be encountered for the duration of Brewfest, and drops special rewards including epic weapons, trinkets, and rare mounts. Don't let him destroy any more precious beer!
- Brew of the Month Club
- Some say it's the best club in Azeroth! For 200 Brewfest Tokens, you too can join the exclusive "Brew of the Month" Club. Once a member, you are sent a new brew in the mail every month, each with different properties. If the brew is to your liking, you can purchase more from specific vendors in Ironforge or Orgrimmar. Membership lasts one year and will need to be renewed the following year - but what a flavorful and refreshing year that will be.
- Barkers Wanted
- The representatives of Azeroth's major breweries want adventurers to help advertise their brews in Orgrimmar and Ironforge; just speak to one of the brewers for Barleybrew or Thunderbrew outside of Ironforge or T'chali's Voodoo Brewery or Drohn's Distillery outside of Orgrimmar to get started. You'll be given a ram to hurry you on your way, spreading the word around Orgrimmar or Ironforge about who makes the best brew.
- Defend the Fest
- The Dark Iron Clan dwarves are raiding Brewfest once again, trying to ruin the event for everyone. As a hero of the Alliance or Horde, it is your job to put an end to the attacks - and maybe find out why they've decided to crash the party in the process. The Dark Iron Clan dwarves invasions occur every half hour. The pesky attackers target the kegs that dispense the free brew. If you're around when the Dark Iron dwarves show up, lend a hand and protect the beer!
- Ticket Exchange
- Brewfest has undergone some changes since its first year. The currency for Brewfest prizes is now Brewfest tokens instead of tickets. If you have tickets from previous years, you can exchange them for tokens.
- Ceremonial Keg-Tapping
- Each day at 6:15 AM and 6:15 PM server time, High Tinker Mekkatorque (Ironforge) and Vol'jin (Orgrimmar) come out to the Brewfest grounds for a brief Tapping of the Keg ceremony. Witnessing the ceremony grants players a buff that increases experience earned by 10%.
- Brewfest Token Prizes
- Lastly, don't forget to drop by Belbi Quikswitch and Blix Fixwidget to redeem your Brewfest Prize Tokens for some great prizes!
Screenshots
Enjoy this player-submitted screenshot gallery of Brewfest revelry. Adventuring is thirsty work!
Hallow's End
Observed by both the Horde and the Alliance, Hallow's End is the celebration of the break between the Forsaken and the Scourge. Many tricks and treats await adventurers seeking holiday fun, including defeating the Headless Horseman, visiting inns and cities for fun items such as masks and costumes, and eating way too much candy in one sitting. Read below for more things to do during spooky season on Azeroth!
Features
Type: Seasonal Holiday
Date: October 18 - October 31st
Location: Cities and inns throughout Azeroth and Outland
Trick or Treat
Every year during Hallow's End, adventurers celebrate the time when the Forsaken broke away from the Scourge. Heroes for the Horde and Alliance can speak with any innkeeper and get a Treat Bag with a fun surprise inside! Open it as soon as you get it or else it will fade away. Be wary, though. The innkeepers are just as likely to trick you, changing your perspective on life.
In addition to the innkeepers with their tricks and their Treat Bags, adventurers can purchase sweets from vendors in Orgrimmar and Ironforge. If candy isn't quite your thing, no problem! Every inn has a tub prepared for a game of Bobbing for Apples. Also, Jesper, an orphan in Stormwind, and Spoops, an orphan in Orgrimmar, are both sick and can't join in the Hallow's End festivities themselves. Brave adventurers can make these two children feel better by speaking with certain innkeepers and bringing the treats they give you back to the orphans as a gift.
The Wickerman Festival, which takes place outside the Undercity every evening, promises fun for the Horde and the Alliance! For those interested more in tricks than treats, Darkcaller Yanka wants members of the Horde to throw stink bombs at the Alliance town of Southshore. Sergeant Hartman in Southshore encourages members of the Alliance to do their best to stop the Horde lest they be stuck cleaning up the stink! To get back at the Horde, he'll also ask you to crash the Wickerman Festival outside of the Undercity. Everyone is advised to sharpen their blades, tighten their girths, and prepare for battle!
Candy Buckets
What would Hallow's End be without excessive amounts of sweet, sweet candy? Candy Buckets (prominently marked with an exclamation mark) are located in inns throughout Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, and Outland. Reach in and help yourself to a handful of assorted candy, which you then open by right-clicking it in your inventory. In addition, each candy bucket grants an experience point reward, or for maximum level characters, gold compensation. Note that you can only hold one Handful of Candy at a time, so make sure you open it before looting another candy bucket. Find all the candy buckets in each continent for achievements, and another achievement is earned by looting every last candy bucket in the land! If you're wondering which candy buckets remain on your list, open up your Achievements panel and look for the relevant achievements under the "Hallow's End" category, which itself is listed under "World Events."
The candies themselves confer temporary beneficial effects upon eating them. One of the candies, G.N.E.R.D.S., are associated with one of the new Hallow's End achievements - while under the effects of the G.N.E.R.D.S. buff, get 50 honorable kills on enemy players in player-vs-player combat. If your supply of G.N.E.R.D.S. is exhausted, you can obtain them from other players or from the auction house, as they are not soulbound.
The Headless Horseman
Adventurers who find themselves in Goldshire, Azure Watch, Kharanos, Brill, Razor Hill, or Silvermoon City may stumble upon the Headless Horseman as he flies over the town, inciting terror in the populace and setting their homes and buildings ablaze! Those who are brave of heart should talk to the Costumed Orphan Matron nearby to learn how they can help douse the flames and bring down the headless horror. Successfully fending off the Horseman's attacks by extinguishing the fires is a daily quest. This quest is best attempted when other players are in the vicinity, as the intensity of the flames is too much for one player to reasonably handle.
Another daily quest leads players into the Scarlet Monastery in search of the dreaded Horseman. Heroes who wish to vanquish this scary shade once and for all can find his shrine located in the Scarlet Monastery graveyard. Once there, adventurers can summon and defeat him, ending his terrifying travails for good - and earning some fun and useful rewards in the process, including epic armor, seasonal broomstick mounts, a special pet, and even the Headless Horseman's mount!
Rewards
Below are the rewards you can get by helping the sick orphans, Jesper and Spoops, as well as the Treat Bag given out by innkeepers.
Here is a small sample of some of the treats inside of the Treat Bags that you can get:
Hallow's End Foods
Vendors in Ironforge and Orgrimmar are selling special treats as part of the celebration of Hallow's End. Below are the seasonal treats you can purchase from these vendors:
Additional Information
- Hallow's End Pumpkin Treats - Eating these tasty treats can cause one of the following effects:
- Grow in size by 30% and turn orange
- Turn Ghostly...boo!
- Turn into a skeleton with water breathing
- Turn into a pirate with faster swim speed
- Pumpkin Bags - Level 51-60 humanoid monsters have a chance to drop a rare 16-slot bag. Elite monsters have the highest chance to drop this handy prize.
Screenshots
We have collected 65 of the best Hallow's End screenshots for you to enjoy in a special screenshot gallery.
Day of the Dead
For the Day of the Dead festivities, the people of Azeroth and Outland gather in the graveyards of every major city to cook, eat, drink, don costumes, and more in celebration of those they've lost. Because the spirit world draws closest to the world of the living during this eerie holiday, we decorate the graves of our dearly departed with flowers and candles and offerings to welcome them back, even if only for a short while.
Features
Type: Memorial Holiday
Date: November 1-2
Locations: graveyards of all major cities (Stormwind, Ironforge, Darnassus, The Exodar, Orgrimmar, The Undercity, Silvermoon City, Thunder Bluff, Shattrath City, and Dalaran City)
Dance with Catrina
What better way to celebrate the memories of those we've lost than through the ritualistic power of dance -- and all the better during the Day of the Dead holiday, when we're most among their ghostly presence? Dance and revel, and the inhabitants of the spirit world will dance and revel with you, and they will receive your gifts of food and drink and take with them on their eternal journeys the knowledge that they are loved. And, if you approach Catrina in the midst of this merriment, select her, and type /dance in honor of the fallen, you will be granted an achievement and a 12-hour buff, Honor the Dead, which will change your appearance to that of Catrina or Chapman, the graveyard vendor who also appears during this holiday.
The Grateful Dead
Purchase some Orange Marigold or a Bouquet of Orange Marigolds from Chapman and use them to see the otherwise invisible spirit in the graveyard.
It's good to visit with friends and family again, though I may have overdone it... I've already eaten everything they made for me, says the Cheerful Human Spirit. Might I trouble you for some of that delicious Bread of the Dead? I'd be most grateful. Chapman there sells the recipe, I think.
Acquire some Bread of the Dead and give it to the Cheerful Spirit.
Your reward is a Macabre Marionette, a sombrero-wearing, maraca-wielding skeleton companion pet. This pet can only be used during the Day of the Dead event; it cannot be learned and kept like other companion pets.
Screenshots
Pilgrim's Bounty
We invite you to celebrate Pilgrim's Bounty with us. It's a time for reflecting on your journeys and good fortune, sharing plentiful food, and stories with friends.
You can partake in wonderful Pilgrim's Bounty feasts near major towns by sitting at a Bountiful Table and enjoying the foods you find there.
If you're interested in learning the Pilgrim's Bounty's recipes, speak with an NPC outside any major city. Stuffing and potatoes are easy enough to put in front of a fire, but if you want to cook a turkey, you'll need to catch one first. Unsling your trusty Turkey Shooter and prepare for the hunt.
Features
Type: Seasonal Holiday
Date: November 22 - 28
Locations:
- Major Cities (Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdom Only): Stormwind, Ironforge, Darnassus, Exodar, Orgrimmar, Undercity, Silvermoon City, and Thunderbluff
- Minor Towns: Goldshire, Kharanos, Dolanaar, Azure Watch, Razor HIll, Bloodhoof Village, Brill, Tranquilien, Ruins of Thaurissan, Shadowprey Village, Falconwing Square, Stonard, Hammerfall, Revantusk Village, Light's Hope Chapel, Wildhammer Keep, Chilwind Camp, Southshore, Tarren Mill, Sepulcher
Bountiful Tables
Bountiful Tables are the centerpiece of the Pilgrim's Bounty celebration. They are tables loaded with food and surrounded by interactive chairs that allow you to eat and share food with other players via the action bar.
A Bountiful Table is laid out with five different Pilgrim's Bounty foods, one in front of each chair. Each chair has an unlimited supply of one food, and they are conveniently labeled: The Sweet Potato Chair, The Turkey Chair, The Stuffing Chair, The Cranberry Chair, and The Pie Chair. While in a chair, you may eat as much of that food as you like, as well as pass servings of that food to other players sitting in the chairs. Share the bountiful feasts with your friends!
If you eat five helpings of any single food, you'll gain benefits unique to that food. In addition, if you eat five helpings of every food, you'll gain the Spirit of Sharing which lasts one hour and increases reputation gained by 10%. This is accomplished much faster if you work together with your fellow feasters at passing food to one another.
Daily Cooking Quests
Pilgrim's Bounty also plays host to a series of daily cooking quests designed to help chefs master their craft with seasonal recipes plucked from a Bountiful Cookbook. These quests require players to travel between the major cities of Azeroth and to fill the stomachs of armies with seasonal food. The reward for these quests is a Turkey Caller, a prize that ensures that the accomplished pilgrim will never go hungry again.
Screenshots
Feast of Winter Veil
Ho ho hello, um, little child. I'm Greatfather Winter, and I - courtesy of the fine folks of Smokywood Pastures... "Fresh from our farm to your plate, it's Smokywood Pastures wholesome goodness" - would like to wish you a fantastic Feast of Winter Veil.
If you've been good this year, maybe you'll receive treats from Smokywood Pastures as your treat for the Feast of Winter Veil. Huzzah.
Also, be sure to stock up on treats to give those who've been nice this year. Smokywood Pastures has a great selection to choose from. Look for them at a major city near you.
Features
Type: Holiday Event
Date: December - January
Location: Most Major Cities
Greatfather Winter
Greatfather Winter is visiting the great cities of Ironforge and Orgrimmar - courtesy of the fine folks of Smokywood Pastures and he's spreading cheer in celebration for the Feast of Winter Veil. But, all the cheer-spreading is making Greatfather Winter hungry, and he's looking for adventurers to get him his daily fix of milk and cookies.
Winter Veil Bosses
The denizens of the dungeons of Northrend are also getting into the holiday spirit, and some dungeon bosses even wear festive Winter Hats just like Greatfather Winter's. Defeat a Winter Veil boss, and the boss's hat is yours!
Winter Veil bosses of Northrend:
- Grand Magus Telestra (The Nexus) - Red Winter Hat
- Jedoga Shadowseeker in (Ahn'Kahet: The Old Kingdom - Red Winter Hat
- Mage-Lord Urom in (The Oculus) - Green Winter Hat
Revelers
During the Feast of Winter Veil, the innkeepers bring out holiday decorations to provide a festive atmosphere for their patrons. Who knows what might happen if you /kiss a reveler standing near a sprig of mistletoe....
Gift-Giving
In the quiet, early hours of the 25th of December, the industrious goblins of Smokywood Pastures are already awake. As a much-deserved reward for the noble adventurers throughout Azeroth, these generous harbingers of the holidays deposit gifts underneath the decorated trees in Orgrimmar and Ironforge. Keep a keen eye out for these presents, as they're there for the taking!
Starts: December 25
Ends: January 2
Metzen the Reindeer
Disaster has struck! Metzen the Reindeer has been kidnapped! Metzen is one of Greatfather Winter's eight reindeer - and property of Smokywood Pastures. The Jinglepocket Goblins have received two ransom letters from groups claiming to have Metzen. Concerned adventurers should visit Ironforge or Orgrimmar for more information.
Smokeywood Pastures' Missing Shipment
Smokeywood Pastures needs a few brave adventurers to investigate the disappearance of a shipment of holiday goods. Rumors are the shipment are in the possession of the Abominable Greench, found somewhere in the snowy regions of the Alterac Mountains.
Jinglepocket Goblins' Fare Shops
The Jinglepocket Goblins have set up their seasonal fare shops in major cities. Adventurers can purchase many holiday favorites - including Greatfather's Winter ale, candy canes, gingerbread cookie recipes, and mistletoes.
Snowballs
Whether you pick them up from your local vendor or ask a friendly engineer to craft them for you, no feast of Winter Veil is complete without some frozen projectile-weapons. Get your mitts on some snowballs and say, "Merry Feast of Winter Veil" the old-fashioned way!
Snowmen
Accompanying Greatfather Winter in his journeys across Azeroth are his loyal troops of snowmen. They can be found wandering around Ironforge and Orgrimmar, bringing with them the chill breath of winter into even the warmest climates.
History
The later seasons of Azeroth are marked as a time of change in many cultures. The Dwarves and the Tauren especially look to a legend of the coming Winter Veil - the blanketing of the land in snow, thus heralding a time of renewal - as a time for celebration.
The term "Winter Veil" is said to stem from a supernatural being referred in many cultures to as Greatfather Winter. As he would walk the land late in the seasons, winter itself would be his billowing cloak. In his wake was the blanketing of the land in snow, and thus it is said that Greatfather Winter would cast his wintry veil over the land. Though parts of Azeroth may lie in snow, it gives the land time for rebirth and renewal.
The idea of feasting during this time of year is one that traces its origins to the legend itself. As Greatfather Winter walked Azeroth, it is said he would provide a bounty for those who welcomed his presence. As such, the idea of feasting during the winter veil would bring together communities as they shared whatever they had. Typically, a single day of merriment and feasting welcomed the change, all in anticipation of the land's renewal.
Other cultures have begun to recognize the Feast of Winter Veil as a time of great celebration, though not in the same traditions as the legend bases it in. Customs, often unrelated to anything other than a chance for celebration and gift exchange, have made their way into modern observation of the season. Even the image of Greatfather Winter is sometimes used, but more as a harbringer of commercial exploit rather than as a supernatural titan.
Screenshots
Player-Submitted Screenshot Gallery
Original Screenshot Gallery
See Also
Notes
- Peon Day was only on the EU version (wow-europe.com) of these articles.