The New Year’s celebration is an incredibly thrilling time for gamers, especially within the colorful world of Fortnite. Every year, Epic Games gears up for this occasion by hosting a spectacular in-game New Year’s Event that players eagerly await as the year wraps up.
Ahead of the festivities, Winterfest 2025 is already filling the game with seasonal cheer. Both seasoned and new players are excited about witnessing the iconic ball drop in Fortnite. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming Fortnite New Year’s Event, including time and potential rewards.
Is Fortnite Hosting a New Year’s 2026 Event?
Absolutely! Just like in previous years, Epic Games is set to host a Fortnite New Year’s Event to ring in 2026. This occasion continues a beloved tradition that dates back to Chapter 1. The 2026 celebration marks the last live event of the year. However, newcomers should know that this won’t be a massive event but rather a lively in-game spectacle.
Instead of the grand live events like Zero Hour, the Fortnite New Year’s Event feels like a vibrant celebration that plays out during gameplay. Players can join a match in any mode—be it Battle Royale, Zero Build, OG, or Reload—to enjoy the festivities. A giant disco ball will take center stage in the sky, locking players in a dance animation for a brief moment.
What Are the Countdown and Ball Drop Timings for the Fortnite New Year Event 2026?
This year’s New Year Event will roll out across various time zones on December 31, 2025. The first event will kick off in the game, followed by hourly repeats, allowing players who miss the initial drop another chance to ring in the new year later in the day.
Though Epic Games hasn’t shared the exact schedule yet, players can expect festivities to begin around 6 AM ET on December 31, 2025. This will coincide with the OCE region welcoming 2026, fitting snugly into Fortnite’s prior celebratory events.
To catch the Fortnite New Year’s live event, it’s a good idea to jump into a match shortly before each hourly drop. This will give you a little bit of breathing room between entering the game and the action starting.
Will There Be a Free Reward for the Fortnite New Year’s Event This Year?
At this moment, there isn’t any leaked or confirmed news regarding rewards tied to the New Year Event. Given that past events haven’t featured exclusive rewards, it’s unlikely this will change.
While it might feel a bit disappointing, don’t forget that players can still snag plenty of free cosmetics during the ongoing Winterfest lodge. These rewards, including the Glacial Dummy skin, are separate from the New Year’s Event and require daily logins to claim.
So, are you ready to join your friends in celebrating as the ball drops on the Island? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts!
When does Fortnite’s New Year’s event go live?
The event will go live at 6 AM ET on December 31, 2025.
Can you watch the event again if you miss it at midnight?
Yes, Fortnite replays the Ball Drop on the top of each hour in-game until the final time zone welcomes January 1, 2026.