Countdown

The Countdown is a celebration of the new year that occurs in all versions of the. It is the first part of the two-part New Year celebration, with the following day, New Year's Day, being the second part. Tortimer (Isabelle in ) hosts an outdoor countdown party for the villagers in town.

The holiday is analogous with the real world holiday of the same name. The villagers in the town will get excited about this event and how they celebrate it varies in all the different Animal Crossing games. Traditionally in many western countries, people sing "Auld Lang Syne," a practice mirrored by the villagers in. Translated from Scots, the song's title means "Times Gone By."

In

 * First appearing in, the following version of this event is mirrored by , and.

Event Basics
 * Date: December 31st – January 1st
 * Time: 11 PM– 1 AM
 * Location: Large pond
 * Tortimer Item(s): Noisemaker

At exactly 11 PM, Pelly announces from the Train Station's loudspeaker that the celebration is beginning. Once control returns to the player, Tortimer appears near the pond along with the countdown board. Special music plays in the background and the animal villagers begin to congregate about the pond. If the player speaks with Tortimer, the mayor will give them a noisemaker until midnight. As time passes, the villagers become more and more excited in their conversations. At 11:59 PM, with only a few seconds left in the old year, the music stops and the board begins emitting beeps upon each new second.

With a loud beep, the board beckons in the New Year at 12 AM. As the town clock plays the town tune, the hour long fireworks display begins and each of the villagers begins to celebrate, whistling a tune that resembles "Auld Lang Syne." Players can see the fireworks by watching their reflections in the pond. At this point, Tortimer stops handing out party poppers. The New Year's Eve celebration ends at exactly 1:00 AM, but the New Year celebration continues the next day with the New Year's Day events.

The player will also receive a letter from their mother with 10,000 Bells enclosed.

In

 * First appearing in '', the following version of this event is mirrored in.

Event Basics
 * Date: December 31st – January 1st
 * Time: 11 PM – 1 AM
 * Location: Outside Town Hall
 * Tortimer Item(s): Party popper, Fortune

From 6 AM, the first time a player comes out of their house, Pelly announces from the Town Hall's loudspeaker that the countdown has started. A large board appears in front of the Town Hall, counting down the hours/minutes/seconds to go until the New Year. Tortimer appears next to the countdown board, and will give out Party Poppers if spoken to. Players may stock up on these items for the big event.

At exactly 11 PM, a cutscene plays, in which Pelly announces from the Town Hall's loudspeaker that it's time to start the celebrations. The cutscene will also play if a player begins play after 11 PM. Special music plays in the background at this time. Several animal villagers may congregate around the board at this time, but only if this is their first New Year's Eve celebration in the town. As time passes, the villagers become more and more excited in their conversations. At 11:50 PM and 11:55 PM, the music changes. Finally, at 11:59 PM, the music stops and the board begins emitting beeps upon each new second.

At 12 AM, the town clock plays the town tune and the board changes to a scrolling "NEW YEAR!" message. A 2-hour long fireworks display also begins - players can see the fireworks in the top screen of their Nintendo DS systems. Unlike the original, the villagers don't prance around and celebrate, although they will wish players a Happy New Year if spoken to. At this point, Tortimer stops handing out party poppers, and will begin to hand out fortunes for the new year. The fireworks end at exactly 2:00 AM, but the celebration continues the next day with the New Year's Day events.

In
Event Basics
 * Date: December 31st – January 1st
 * Time: 11 PM – 1 AM
 * Location: Outside Town Hall
 * Tortimer Item(s): Party popper

From 6 AM, a large board appears in front of the Town Hall, counting down the hours/minutes/seconds to go until the New Year. Tortimer appears next to the countdown board, and will give out Party Poppers if spoken to. Players may stock up on these items for the big event.

At exactly 11 PM, Pelly announces from the Town Hall's loudspeaker that the final countdown has begun. The cutscene will also play if a player begins play after 11 PM. Special music plays in the background at this time. The animal villagers do not seem to congregate anywhere, although they will be excited if spoken to. As time passes, the villagers become more and more excited in their conversations. At 11:50 PM and 11:55 PM, the music changes. Finally, at 11:59 PM, the music stops and the board begins emitting beeps upon each new second.

At 12 AM, the clock plays the town tune and the board changes to a scrolling "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" message. At this point, players lose control over their character. Pelly will then wish everyone a happy new year from the loudspeaker in the Town Hall. A 2-hour long fireworks display also begins.

After the announcement, players can move their characters again. The animal villagers will occasionally look up and applaud the fireworks, and will also wish the player a happy New Year if spoken to. At this point, Tortimer stops handing out party poppers. The fireworks end at exactly 2 AM, but the celebration continues the next day with the New Year's Day events.

In
Event Basics
 * Date: December 31st – January 1st
 * Time: 11 PM – 1 AM
 * Location: Town Tree
 * Redd Item(s): New Year's Hats, Party popper

At the beginning of the day, there will be a board for the countdown for the New Year. At 11:00 PM, villagers and Isabelle will get more excited about it. It will also be announced on the loudspeaker as the player walks out of their house. Redd, who will be by the Town Tree, will give players a New Year's top hat or a New Year's party hat (colors vary from yellow, red and blue). Also, players may receive a Party popper. The balloons displayed on the countdown sign will display an image of an animal that relates to the current Chinese year.

The town hour theme will change at 11:00 PM, which begins to sound eager and changes as the New Year gets closer. At the last minute, the Countdown clock will beep for every second left. When the New Year comes, the Town Tune will play and a giant Party Popper will burst from the Countdown clock. The Countdown clock will give a scrolling message wishing a happy new year. The fireworks will display the (new) year at first, and a fireworks show similar to follows,

The fireworks end at 2 AM, at which point the hour theme changes to a calmer version of the earlier New Year's theme. Villagers will still be out and about to wish the player a happy New Year, and Redd will still be selling his wares.

Isabelle stands by the town tree and will give the player gifts if the player talks with her, such as a sparkler and sparkling cider.

In
Event Basics
 * Date: December 31st – January 1st
 * Time: 11:00 PM– 2:00 AM
 * Location: Residential Services
 * Isabelle/Tom Nook Item(s): Light stick, party poppers, and either New Year's Hat or New Year's Silk Hat

Before the new year, there will be an island broadcast saying it's the last day of the year, and a countdown clock, lights, and balloons will appear on the Resident Services plaza. Isabelle will hand out light sticks, and Tom Nook will offer five party poppers for free including purchasable hats, either the New Year's Hat or the New Year's Silk Hat.

Once at 11 PM, villagers will join in for the new year, gradually going towards the Resident Services building. Also at this time the music changes to gradually get intense as the hour approaches. At the final minute, the countdown clock will beep every second until it reaches zero; by this point the town tune will play and fireworks will display the new year. Villagers will be dancing along to the town tune, occasionally waving their light stick or using a party popper. The fireworks show continues until 2 AM, after which the music switches to a calmer version of the earlier New Year's music. Isabelle and Tom Nook will still be out to hand out light sticks and sell party poppers and hats.

This event occurs regardless of what hemisphere the island is set to, meaning that in the Southern Hemisphere, the Countdown occurs during the summer season.