Summary
With itscharming cast of charactersand special seasonal events,Stardew Valleyprovides a cozy yet still challenging gaming experience. While each seasonal event is unique and enjoyable in its own right, some are more beneficial to progressing the game than others.
Some ofStardew Valley’s events are more focused on building friendship and players' skills, such as the Dance of the Moonlight Jellies or the Trout Derby, and are quite jovial and laid back. Others, meanwhile, are essential in providing items to complete the game, and are not ones to miss. These are the most useful in-game events inStardew Valleybased on both their entertainment value and the practicality of the rewards they offer.
10Dance Of The Moonlight Jellies
A Peaceful Community Event
InStardew Valley, the Dance of the Moonlight Jellies is an event to commemorate the end of the Summer season. Players venture to the beach to experience the Moonlight Jellies (or ‘Lunaloos’, as theWizardcalls them) as they swim up to the Valley’s docks.
This event featuressome of the most beautiful and calming visuals throughout the game, complemented bya charming musical score. There are unique furniture items inPierre’s stall, including theCloud Decaland theMoonlight Jellies Banner, as well asSeafoam Pudding, which is an excellent food item to boost the player’s fishing level.
9Trout Derby
Great Rewards In The Early Game
The Trout Derby is one of two fishing mini-festivals added toStardew Valleyin its 1.6 update. The main goal of the festival is to catchRainbow Troutthat hold aGolden Tag, as the tags can be exchanged for prizes at the Trout Derby stand.
The event lasts for two days, is optional, and does not halt in-game time. Rewards for Golden Tags includeMystery Box,Diamond,Quality Sprinkler,Tent Kit, andWarp Totem: Farmamong others. This makes ita worthwhile venture for at least a couple of hoursper event day even if fishing is not a favorite game mechanic.
8SquidFest
Catch As Many Squid As Possible
The second fishing mini-festival added toStardew Valleyin the 1.6 update is SquidFest. For this event, players must catch as manySquidas they can to receive prizes from the stand located to the north of the beach.
SquidFest is a little more worthwhile than the Trout Derbydue to theincreased quality of the prizes. Rewards for day 1 of the festival can includeThe Art O' Crabbing,Mystery Box,Pearl, and’Squid Kid' (Painting). On day 2, players can receive rewards such asTreasure Chest,Trap Bobber, andSquid Hat. All of these are either very useful items, or very fun exclusives.
7Luau
Funny Secret Event And A Good Shop Inventory
In this event, theGovernorvisits the valley to observe the town and tastethe famous Luau soup. Players can gain friendship points with the villagers depending on what they decide to place within the soup potluck, making it very useful for farmers who are trying to build relationships.
What makes this event so entertaining is a secret responsefromLewisand the Governor only possible when players place Mayor Lewis' Lucky Purple Shorts into the Potluck. This has no effect on friendship, so it’s worth trying out for some mischievous entertainment. In addition,Pierre’s stall at the festival contains exclusive seasonal items and aStarfruit, a valuable crop.
6Spirit’s Eve
Essential For Achieving Perfection
Spirit’s Eve isStardew Valley’s version of Halloween, where players can explore a scary maze in order to receive either aGolden PumpkinorPrize Ticketas a reward. A Golden Pumpkin is a universally loved gift and can be sold for 2,500g, making it a useful item. The event is also well-themed, with spooky incidental music.
If players wish to achieve perfection inStardew Valley, this event is not one to miss.Pierre’s shop contains the recipe for aJack-O-Lanternand Rarecrow #2, both of which are necessary to complete the Craft Master achievement.
5Festival Of Ice
Competitive Fishing With Useful Prizes
Another essential event when aiming for perfection, the Festival of Ice features a fishing competition where players compete againstPam,Willy, andElliott. Players recieve aBarbed Hook, aDressed Spinner, aMagnet, and aSailor’s Capon their first win of the competition if they catch at least 5 fish. If they win again in the following years, they will be awarded aPrize Ticket.All of these items are useful to aid progression.
The Traveling Merchant appeas at this festival, selling a multitude of festive decor as well as Rarecrow #4, which isan essential item for achieving perfection.
4Egg Festival
Great To Replay Each In-Game Year
The Egg Festival is the first event players experience inStardew Valley, occurring early in Spring. The main activity is the Egg Hunt, where players compete against the residents of Pelican Town to find eggs hidden around the town square. Since the 1.6 update, this event has become more appealing to replay each in-game year, as the locations of the eggs differ between odd and even years. The reward for winning the Egg Hunt for the first time is aStraw Hat, but subsequent wins willl earn players aPrize Ticket.
Pierrehas a stall at this festival, which is one of only three places that sellStrawberry Seeds. AsStrawberryis the most profitable Spring crop,Strawberry Seeds can prove a worthy investment for players.
3Stardew Valley Fair
An Essential Shopping Opportunity
At the Stardew Valley Fair, players are invited to display their best-quality goods and compete with the town’s merchants:Marnie,Pierre, andWilly. If a player’s display totals over 90 points, they will win 1,000 Star Tokens.
Star Tokens serve as the currency for this festival and can be purchased or won throughfun and replayable minigames, including a fishing game, a spinning wheel, and a slingshot game. The shop at the festival offers perhaps the most essential item inStardew Valley: theStardrop, available for 2,000 Star Tokens. This item increases players' maximum energy, making this festival well worth the visit.
2Night Market
Three Days Of Shopping, Fishing, And Free Coffee
The numerous shopping options at the Night Market elevate this event’s ranking. With a Decoration Boat, Famous Painter Lupini, a Magic Shop Boat, and an appearance from the Traveling Merchant, this festival provides many exclusive and useful items. The Magic Shop Boat is a particular highlight, as it allows players to buy out-of-season seeds.
Moreover, there are a multitude of fun activities to take part in.Catch new and profitable fishon the Submarine, or solve the Mermaid’s puzzle for aPearlreward, all the while enjoying the perfect background music. With the freeCoffeeeach night and the option to warp back to the farm, players can enjoy the market to its full potential without fear of running out of time.
1Desert Festival
Lots Of Fun And Unique Attractions
Added inStardew Valley’s 1.6 update, the Desert Festival is a three-day-long event where players can take part in fun challenges to earnCalico Eggand purchase exclusive items. Each day, two random villagers have their own stalls, selling items of various qualities. Some of the best items sold includeEmily’sPrismatic Shardfor 500 Calico Eggs,Robin’sFurniture Cataloguefor 1,000 Calico Eggs, andAlex’sMagic Hair Gelfor 100 Calico Eggs.
Emily also runs a daily outfit service, where players get a free makeover. The free cactus stall,Marlon’s Skull Cavern quests, the Chef’s stall, and the Scholar’s quiz aremore of the many highlights this festival has to offer. The Desert Festival stands out as the best in-game event due to thewide range of activities and the great utility of the items available.
