Here we go. The season is upon us – the whiff of gingerbread and lacre.

What's New?

Christmas comes with a host of seasonal treats and novelties. Here's what we've cooked up this year, most of which will arrive when the lacre starts to fall on the 8th of December, in the storylet 'Explore the Festive Season'.

New Seasonal Activities

The lead-in to Christmas this year will be marked with a pair of free new seasonal events! Starting right now, on the 1st of December, a rare appearance from the Department of Parks and Game. The Fifth City, it seems, is to have a Christmas Tree, and the Department has taken over Hastings Place to make this happen. Unfortunately, the tree is bare of decoration, and slowly dying. If it is to live until the Traitor Empress' visit on the 8th – let alone impress her with its glory – it will need some serious aid.

Later, on the 15th of December, those scamps in the urchin gangs will be at it again – but this time they've got lacre to use as ammunition. If there's one thing that has higher stakes than all-out war – that means more to a young urchin than their very lives – it's a snowball fight. Support your chosen side. Turn the tide of battle. And for the love of all that is holy do not let the children eat the lacre.

Mr Treats' Ratwork Emporium

The Fifth City's foremost purveyor of seasonal delights opens up its exclusive establishment during the Christmas season, offering intricate wonders and custom-made marvels. A new commission is available this year, alongside those from previous years.

Mr Treats Ratwork Emporium will open on the 13th December and close on the 25th, and is available anywhere in London. Commissioning an item from Mr Treats will begin a short story that will progress throughout the Christmas season, ending on Christmas Day.

The Undercrofts Ancillary

Penstock himself – owner of the Neath's foremost land agency – is out in force this festive season, offering that most rare of gifts: treasures from the Bazaar's very own vaults. From the 8th of December, purchase a Frosted Debenture and claim a brand new piece of equipment, or, if you're feeling especially magnanimous, send the Debenture to a friend for them to use.

Purchase a Debenture for 30 Fate in 'Explore the Festive Season'. Once purchased, they can be freely gifted to a friend on your contact list. There are two new items available this year.

A Seasonal Miscellany

In addition to new treats, Fallen London will be full to the brim with the hustle and bustle of Christmas, all the way into the New Year.

The Fallen London Advent Calendar

From the 1st until the 25th of December we’ll be handing out advent treats via the Fallen London Advent Calendar! Each will give you a snippet of Yuley narrative, and something besides: trinkets, magpie-treasures, and occasionally something rare.

Look for the storylet 'Advent: A Calendar of Encounters', available anywhere in London. You’ll be able to ‘catch up’ and claim any and all rewards until the end of the year – however, opening the doors on the days when they become available will give you a little extra.

As ever, rewards for Advent shift year to year, though there are some fixed points. Old doors are retired, new doors are added. Remember always that some doors cannot be unopened.

Christmas Cards

Tell your friends you are thinking of them this festive season. (Don’t tell them what you are thinking of them.) Neathy Christmas cards return: four designs, with room for your own message!

Your stock of cards will be replenished weekly by Time, the Healer, starting from noon on the 2nd of December. You can send cards, and engage in other festive jollity, in the storylet 'Explore the Festive Season', anywhere in London.

You need to be acquaintances with another player before you can send them a Christmas card. To become acquainted with somebody, 'Attend to Matters of Society' in your Lodgings, where you can send a calling card to a contact.

Find friends to exchange cards with on our forums, the Fallen London subreddit, or the Official Fallen London Discord.

Snowfall!

Every week from the 8th December, when Time the Healer visits, clear your doorstep of Neath-snow (or fob the task off on others). They say the stuff is called 'lacre'. They say you shouldn't throw it away. What is it? Where does it fall from? And why do the Masters prize it so highly?

The Twelve Days of Mr Sacks

After Christmas, field off visits from the Crimson Beast of Winter. Every day from the 25th December to the 5th January, encounter Mr Sacks and satiate him with gifts. What lies beneath its robe? Investigate on your own behalf, or join forces with a range of possible allies. HO. HO. HO.

Visit Penstock's Wicket

Penstock's shop is right on the flank of the Bazaar, and is much larger than it looks. From the 5th January, descend into the depths around the Bazaar and spend your knowledge of the season's mysteries to claim special rewards. This is a chance to acquire various rewards, including unusual lodgings and perhaps, briefly, even your own noman.

Seasonal Profile Page Customisation

The season arrives with Christmas-themed options for profile page customisation! A seasonal cameo frame – 'Yuletide Cheer' – will be available for purchase in 'Explore the Festive Season', for those who wish to decorate their profile in the trappings of the season. There is also a selection of snowy headers, for those who want their profiles to carry the memory of lacre.

The festive season in Fallen London will wrap up in the last week of January. Some of you may be wondering whether we're doing another premium story this year; we've decided to retire this format in order to focus on other aspects of the game.

We hope you have a happy – or at least interesting – festive season in the Fifth City. We'll see you in 2026.