August is a great month in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, full of all kinds of fun events, fireworks season return, things to collect, critters to catch, and so much more. It’s a fantastic month for filling up your Critterpedia and enjoying vibrant changes on your island. So, as usual, we want to do a rundown of everything that's happening around your island throughout the month of August. 

Animal Crossing New Horizons Top 10 Updates & Changes in August 2025 (New Activities)

August in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is bustling with events, items, and new wildlife to catch. From fireworks festivals and themed clothing to Bug-Off competitions and seasonal item rotations, there’s something for every player to enjoy. Don’t forget to check out the Nintendo Switch Online icons and celebrate your villagers’ birthdays as well. Make sure to check in regularly so you don’t miss out on any limited-time opportunities.

1. Fireworks Festivals: Every Sunday Evening

A highlight this month is the return of the fireworks festivals, lighting up your island every Sunday evening. Head to the resident services plaza, where you’ll be able to collect festive items from Isabelle, set up your own custom fireworks, and participate in Red’s raffle, which features a variety of collectible items in ACNH, many of them themed around food and drink, such as boba. The raffle is quite affordable, so you won’t need to worry about losing too many bells.

These fireworks aren’t just for solo enjoyment—you can watch them with your villagers or invite friends to your island to join in the festivities. The visuals are among the most stunning in the game, making this event a favorite for many.

A unique feature of the festival is the chance to take a boat ride with Kapp’n to a mystery island while the fireworks are in full display, something that only happens during this time of year. If you visit Harv’s Island during the festival, note that Red won’t be available there, since he’s set up at your plaza instead.

Able Sisters also get into the spirit, bringing special inventory each Sunday, including casual kimonos, kabuki actor yukatas, and morning glory yukatas. These traditional outfits are only available during the fireworks festival, making them a special addition to your collection.

2. Bug-Off Event: August 26

Another major event for the northern hemisphere is the Bug-Off, which takes place on August 26. Flick will be hosting the competition, and your goal is to catch as many bugs as possible within a limited time. Not only can you win exclusive Bug-Off items, but you’ll also have the chance to sell your catches to Flick for extra bells. If you’re looking to boost your bell count or complete your bug collection, this is a golden opportunity.

3. Limited-Time Seasonal Items

Nook Shopping features several special items throughout August:

• Cowboy Festival Item: Available until August 15th, this is your last chance to pick it up.

• Obon Items: Two special items from August 10th to 16th. These are not edible, despite their food-like appearance.

• Tomato Festival Shirt: From August 20th to 31st, you can pick up a tomato-themed shirt. While it would be fun to see more tomato festival items, there are already a few tomato-themed options in-game.

These items have limited availability, so make sure to check Nook Shopping before the month ends to avoid missing out.

4. Island Changes by Hemisphere

In the northern hemisphere, the island landscape remains largely unchanged. However, those in the southern hemisphere will notice the end of winter from August 24th, as the snow melts and spring begins to appear. Many players welcome the return of green scenery after the long winter.

5. Seasonal Materials Shift

For the northern hemisphere, there are no changes to seasonal materials. In the southern hemisphere, snowflakes stop spawning after August 25th, but young spring bamboo becomes available. The Young Spring Bamboo series offers many attractive DIY recipes, so it’s a great time to plant more bamboo and craft seasonal items.

6. Weather Updates

Weather patterns also shift this month. While the northern hemisphere sees few changes, players in the southern hemisphere will notice the auroras disappearing as winter ends, and rainbows making their appearance instead.

7. August Villager Birthdays and Nintendo Switch Online Icons

August is filled with villager birthdays. If you have any of these villagers on your island, you’ll be able to celebrate their special day with them. Additionally, Nintendo Switch Online users can collect special villager icons during their birthday month to customize their profiles, an opportunity that only comes around once a year.

8. New Bugs, Fish, and Sea Creatures

Northern Hemisphere

Bugs Arriving:

• Migratory locust

• Rice grasshopper

• Walker cicada

Bugs Leaving:

• Common blue bottle

• Great purple emperor

• Brown cicada and many more rare beetles and cicadas

Fish Arriving:

• Softshell turtle

• Moray eel

• Ray

Fish Leaving:

• Killifish

• Frog

• Giant snakehead

• Napoleon fish

• Squid

Sea Creatures Arriving:

• Flatworm

Sea Creatures Leaving:

• Sea pineapple

• Vampire squid

Southern Hemisphere

Bugs Arriving:

• Tiger beetle

Bugs Leaving:

• Raja Brooke’s birdwing

• Damsel

• Dung beetle

Fish Leaving:

• Pond smelt

• Blowfish

Sea Creatures Leaving:

• Oyster

• Sea pig

• Sweet shrimp

• Venus’s flower basket

If you’re still filling your Critterpedia, August is the month to catch those critters before they’re gone until next year.