A Very Merry Wintersday 2023 is Live Now!


“‘Twas night for the Kryptis and all through Nayos,
Not a demon was stirring, not even Deimos!

The ward set up camp with the greatest of care,
In hopes that the wayfinder soon would be there.

We ran straight to the gate, tied up Heitor in knots,
And began to celebrate and count congealed clots!

Then we heard Peitha exclaim, as she strode out of sight,
‘Happy Kryptis to all, and to all a good night!’”

The holiday season is in full swing in Tyria as our annual Wintersday festival has officially begun! You’ll have three merry weeks (until January 2) to participate in your favorite wintry activities and collect the new seasonal rewards. Check out the full release notes for all the details.

This festival is accessible to players of any level, so even if you’re brand new to the game, you can head over to Divinity’s Reach and take part in our Wintersday activities!

Rewards

Heroes of Tyria displaying various new ornamented weapons and armor from Wintersday 2023 while a Mini Plush Cuckoo looks on.

Wintersday activities award Wintersday Gifts containing an assortment of holiday treats and surprises. Festival currency includes snowflakes, snow diamonds, and karma, which you can exchange for minis, new Wintersday-themed guild hall decorations, recipes, tonics, and more. The new Mini Plush Cuckoo is simply adorable!

Complete Wintersday achievements and you will be rewarded with a choice of weapons from the Sacred Solstice collection and a Winter Fur Shoulders skin to keep you warm on those frigid nights. There are also three Ornamented weapons (staff, shield, and focus), which can be found by opening Wintersday gifts or purchased from a vendor. You’ll find more information on the Wintersday achievements and their rewards in your Hero panel under the Daily and Festivals categories.

The Wizard’s Vault also has new special objectives directing you toward all sorts of Wintersday activities. Earn that astral acclaim and collect your rewards!

Where to Go

Divinity’s Reach is the hub for Wintersday festivities. Check your mail for a letter from Tixx containing an Invitation to Wintersday, which you can use to travel instantly to Divinity’s Reach. Portals leading to Divinity’s Reach will also be available in Lion’s Arch, the Black Citadel, Hoelbrak, Rata Sum, and the Grove.

Visit locations marked by peppermint candies on your map to participate in Wintersday activities. Don’t forget to visit Wintersday trees and Toymaker Tixx himself each day to collect gifts.

You’ll also receive a letter from Orphan Laine, who needs your help with a scavenger hunt. The hunt will require you to travel to some areas intended for level 80 players, but once you’ve unlocked it you can complete it at any time, even after Wintersday ends.

For the duration of the festival, massive Mysterious Presents will appear in the open world in Central Tyria maps. They explode when unwrapped, so take care! Fight off hostile skritt and collect the Wintersday Gifts that fall out.

Heroes of Tyria displaying various new rewards from Wintersday 2023.

Activities

Bell Choir Ensemble

Speak to the Bell Maestro near the Royal Terrace in Divinity’s reach to enter the Enchanted Snow Globe and take part in the bell choir ensemble! In this rhythm game, work together with your fellow Tyrians to reproduce songs from Guild Wars 2® and earn karma, Wintersday Gifts, and more!

Donation Drive

Speak with the Charity Corps Seraph in the Crown Pavilion to purchase Rolls of Wrapping Paper. These rolls can be combined with various items earned from Wintersday activities to create Wrapped Gifts. Give these gifts to orphans throughout Divinity’s Reach and get some well-earned karma for your good deeds.

Mount Racing

Race around Divinity’s Reach! You don’t need to have any mounts unlocked to take place in this race—a nearby rental service is available to rent a raptor for just 10 silver.

Snowball Mayhem

Use a unique set of snow-themed skills to defeat other players in this capture-the-flag-style game mode! Speak with the Festive Lionguard near the Royal Terrace in Divinity’s Reach to enter, then choose from three professions: supporter, heavy gunner, or scout. The first team to bring 500 points worth of Wintersday Gifts back to their base wins!

This content has no level requirement and can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels.

Strike Mission: Secret Lair of the Snowmen

Enter the portal southwest of the Crown Pavilion to take on the legendary Freezie! Form a squad of up to 10 players and mend Freezie’s frozen heart. This content is exclusively available to players who have reached level 80.

Tixx’s Infinirarium

Enter Toymaker Tixx’s airship from the candy cane portal just west of the Crown Pavilion to assist the asuran craftsman in producing enough Wintersday presents for every resident of Tyria. Take on the haywire machinery and malfunctioning toys throughout the workshop with a party of up to 5 players. This Wintersday-exclusive dungeon is accessible to players of any level and will dynamically adjust your attributes to those of a level 80 player if you are below that level.

Toypocalypse

Defend the gift dolyaks from Tixx’s malfunctioning toys! Speak to the Toy Captain just south of the Crown Pavilion in Divinity’s Reach to enter this tower-defense-style game mode with a party of up to 5 players. This Wintersday-exclusive activity is accessible to players of any level and will dynamically adjust your attributes to those of a level 80 player if you are below that level.

Winter Wonderland

Jumping puzzle lovers rejoice! Dodge exploding Wintersday gifts and jump across giant melting snowflakes in this holiday-themed jumping puzzle. Speak to the Festive Youth at the Crown Pavilion to enter the Winter Wonderland and take on one of three available paths through the snow, each offering its own difficulty. This content is available to players of any level.

Written by: ArenaNet