New Year's Day

New Year's Day is a special event held in the first day in January. It has appeared in every title to date since. What actually happens, however, varies. On New Year's Eve, there is a countdown in anticipation of this day.

The player receives 10,000 Bells from Mom in the mail. They can also go to the well to make a New Year's wish by talking to one of the villagers that is making a wish and asking to go next. The player can talk to Tortimer to receive a random diary. Katrina will also be at the well to read fortunes for 50 bells. This is the only way to receive Fortune Paper, which is otherwise unorderable. If the player has upgraded Nook's shop past Nook's Cranny he will sell mystery bags for 2,000 Bells.

The player can speak to Tortimer in this day to receive a random fortune. Tortimer can be spoken to multiple times for different fortunes.

Tortimer gives the player a New Year's shirt, and the player will also receive 1,000 bells from Mom.

The player will receive a gift from their mom, which will either be 10,000 Bells or a houseplant, although if they do not play on New Years Day, they will not receive such letter. A special cutout is available in the Event Plaza, and Isabelle will also be present there until 12 a.m.

When Isabelle is spoken to, she gives a gift, which is an animal based off the Chinese zodiac of the current year. They act as furniture and can be displayed in the player's house. All zodiac animals have the Harmonious interior theme, sell for 120 Bells at Re-Tail, and, except for the zodiac boar, are only obtainable from the event.