Countdown

New Year's Eve is a celebration of the past year that occurs in all versions of. As the first part of the two-part New Year celebration, this holiday is the climax of each year. Tortimer hosts an outdoor countdown party for the villagers in town. The day following the celebration is New Year's Day, the second part of the New Year celebration.

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 Gaelic, the song's title means "Times Gone By."

Portrayal Animal Forest and its Ports

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

Event Basics
 * Date: December 31st – January 1st
 * Time: 11:00PM– 1:00AM
 * Location: Large pond
 * Tortimer Item(s): Noisemaker

At exactly 11:00PM, a cutscene plays, in which Pelly announces from the Train Station's loudspeaker that the celebration is beginning. The cutscene will also play if a player begins play after 11:00. 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, he mayor will give him or her a noisemaker until midnight. As time passes, the villagers become more and more excited in their conversations. At 11:59PM, with only a few seconds left in the old year, the music silences and the board begins emitting beeps upon each new second.

With a loud beep, the board beckons in the New Year at 12:00AM midnight. 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 1:00am, 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.

Portrayal in Wild World

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

Event Basics
 * Date: December 31st – January 1st
 * Time: 11:00PM – 1:00AM
 * Location: Outside Town Hall
 * Tortimer Item(s): Party popper

From 6:00AM, 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 11:00PM, 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 11:00PM. 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 11:50PM and 11:55PM, the music changes. Finally, at 11:59PM, the music silences and the board begins emitting beeps upon each new second.

At 12:00AM midnight, 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. The fireworks end at exactly 2:00AM, but the celebration continues the next day with the New Year's Day events.

Portrayal in City Folk
Event Basics
 * Date: December 31st – January 1st
 * Time: 11:00PM – 1:00AM
 * Location: Outside Town Hall
 * Tortimer Item(s): Party popper

From 6:00AM, 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 11:00PM, a cutscene plays, in which 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 11:00PM. 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 11:50PM and 11:55PM, the music changes. Finally, at 11:59PM, the music silences and the board begins emitting beeps upon each new second.

At 12:00AM midnight, the clock plays the town tune and the board changes to a scrolling "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" message. A 2-hour long fireworks display also begins. At this point, gameplay stops briefly and players have no control over their character. The camera tilts upwards to show the fireworks in the sky, and Pelly wishes everyone a Happy New Year from the Town Hall's loudspeaker.

After the announcement, players can move their characters again. The animal villagers will occasionally look up and applaud the fireworks, and will also wish you a Happy New Year if spoken to. At this point, Tortimer stops handing out party poppers. The fireworks end at exactly 2:00AM, but the celebration continues the next day with the New Year's Day events.