Animal Crossing Seasons - When Do The Seasons Change In New Horizons?

You might be annoyed when shops start to put up all their Christmas gear in mid-September (or even earlier — we saw baubles in August this year), but in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, we can't wait for the snow to start. But when will it happen? Check out all the dates below.

Spring

Northern Hemisphere: February 25th — May 31st
Southern Hemisphere: August 25th — November 30th

Summer

Northern Hemisphere: June 1st — August 31st
Southern Hemisphere: December 1st — February 28th

Autumn

Northern Hemisphere: September 1st — November 25th
Southern Hemisphere: March 1st — May 25th

Winter

Northern Hemisphere: November 26th — February 24th
Southern Hemisphere: May 26 — August 24

Seasons Questions

What about leap years?

We haven't had a leap year in Animal Crossing: New Horizons yet — the last one was just three weeks before the game came out — but traditionally, the day has been treated as a special event in the game called "Leap Day". It is usually rolled into Spring. The next leap year is 2024, by the way!

Can I time travel? How does it work?

Unfortunately, no — Nintendo changed it so that most (but not all) seasonal events check the actual time, preventing players from spoiling events ahead of time. Smaller events, like the Animal Crossing-themed take on Black Friday, can be accessed via time travelling.

What exact time does the season change?

The game considers the start of a next day to be 5 AM, so the seasons will change at around 4:59 AM wherever you are.

What are the seasonal fish/bugs/sea creatures?

Check our big guides for fish, bugs, and sea creatures here, and also our seasonal guide which tells you about the critters each month.

This article is part of our Animal Crossing: New Horizons walkthrough, which includes a Complete Fish List, Complete Bug List and Complete Sea Creatures List. If you're looking for specific fish or bugs, we can tell you how to catch the elusive Coelacanth, Mahi-Mahi, Giant Trevally, Stringfish, Golden Trout and all the Sharks and Beetles, along with a full list of critters leaving at the end of the month (unless you visit Kapp'n's Boat Tour islands, of course!).

We can also help with How to Spot Redd's Fake Paintings and Statues, How to Make Bells Fast, How to Breed Flowers, How to Get more DIY Recipes, How to Upgrade Nook's Cranny, where and when to find special characters like Gulliver, Sable, Label, Wisp, Celeste, Pirate Gulliver and Jack, plus tips on using the Star Wand, Tool Ring, Rock Trick, Cutting Down and Moving Trees, using amiibo on Harv's Island, How to Back Up Your Island Data, How to Time Travel, How to Get a 5-Star Island Rating and a whole lot more.

If it's new content you're looking for help with, we can help you find gyroids, unlock Brewster's café, use the new Pro Camera App for selfies, enact new ordinances, get the beloved Froggy Chair, and even learn How to Cook.

And finally, Where to Buy Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch, if for some reason you haven't yet picked up the game, and How To Buy The Happy Home Paradise DLC, too!