Harvest Festival
- For the other world event, similar to the North American holiday Thanksgiving, see Pilgrim's Bounty.
| Harvest Festival | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Duration | September 13 – September 20 (2024) |
| Highlights |
Buffet Table Honoring Heroes |
| Other events | |
| Preceded by | Midsummer Fire Festival, Pirate's Day |
| Followed by | Brewfest, Peon Day, (EU, concurrent) |
The Harvest Festival is an annual world event that takes place in September or October, lasting for one week. During the Harvest Festival of Azeroth, the Horde and the Alliance give thanks to heroes for the sacrifices - in some cases ultimate sacrifices - they have given on our behalf. In the time of the Harvest Festival, a great buffet is built up outside of Ironforge and Orgrimmar.
Background
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. The adventurers can also 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.[1]
Since the Fourth War, the tauren adventurers can honor their ancestors with an offering on the cliffs overlooking Thunder Bluff, giving thanks for the path they have set for their people.[2]
The Harvest Festival is a time of great bounties and a time of remembrance. People partake of feasts to celebrate all they have to be thankful of, and they remember their ancestors and past heroes to give thanks to the legacy they gave them.[3][4]
Details
Outside of Orgrimmar and Ironforge are a table and wandering ghostly NPCs of the corresponding faction, Honored Ancestors and Honored Heroes, who can be waved or cheered at, saluted and bowed before.
The following items can be picked up from the table:
Currently, there are no achievements for the holiday to be unlocked, although eating and drinking the items above will count towards 
[Tastes Like Chicken] and 
[It's Happy Hour Somewhere].
Quests
[1-80] Honoring a Hero from Wagner Hammerstrike at the Gates of Ironforge. The Alliance acknowledges many heroes, but none weave a more tragic tale than that of Uther Lightbringer. People can help to honor Uther by taking an offering to his tomb in the Western Plaguelands.
Rewards: 
[For the Light!]
[1-80] Honoring a Hero from Javnir Nashak outside Orgrimmar. The Horde acknowledges also many heroes, but none exemplify strength and sacrifice more than Grom Hellscream. People can honor Grom by taking an offering to his monument in the Demon Fall Canyon of Ashenvale.
Rewards: 
[The Horde's Hellscream]
Additionally, 2 days later after completing either quest, the player gets 
[Bounty of the Harvest] in the mail. It is an item with a 12 hour cooldown which produces 4 food from the harvest.
- New in 2019
-
[50] Remembrance: Available to tauren characters that have completed the Heritage of the Shu'halo questline.
Notes
- The Harvest Festival tradition of cooking a feast for the Honored Ancestors resembles customs found in the orcish Kosh'harg and the centaur Khural.
- It is likely that, similar to Lunar Festival, Harvest Festival is an in-game event corresponding to harvest festivals in East Asia, such as the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and the Korean Chuseok as the dates generally coincide.
- 2006: October 6
- 2007: September 25
- 2008: September 14
- 2009: September 27
- 2010: September 16
- 2011: September 12
- 2012: September 30
- 2013: September 19
- 2014: September 2
- 2015: September 21
- 2016: September 9
- 2017: September 29
- 2018: September 18
- 2019: September 10
- In 2007, these quests were not available to blood elves or draenei.
- Coincides with the anniversary of Stress Test Beta Has Ended. The final day is Columbus Day in the United States and Thanksgiving Day in Canada (October 10 in 2011).
Gallery
The festival feast outside Orgrimmar.
Festival tables with seasonal decorations and food.
An assortment of festival food and drink.
The festival feast outside Ironforge.
References
External links
World of Warcraft Europe Harvest Festival