Gap Year: Hygge Holidays

Sul Sul!

The Gap Year Series continues with Hygge Holidays, a celebration of that special kind of cozy known as hygge (pronounced “hyoo-guh”). It’s the art of comfort, connection, and contentment; that feeling of warmth that comes from crackling fires, good company, and soft blankets on snowy days. In  , reindeer lights replace roadside raccoons, holiday markets hum where diners once stood, and your Sims are ready to settle in, slow down, and savor the season’s simplest joys.

The Gap Year Series settles in for a season of warmth and wonder.

Let's set the tone…

‘Twas the chill of the season when nights grew so long, And Plümberg was humming a festive old song. The market lights twinkled with laughter and cheer, While fireside crackles sang, “holidays here!”

Huskies were howling, the snow softly fell, And every small Sim had a story to tell. With laughter and kindness and joy in the air, A cozy new chapter awaits you there.

Now that everyone is in the festive mood, let's get started with the update!

Enhanced Lighting - The first round of Community Spaces has been updated

Earlier this year, we introduced Enhanced Lighting for Home Lots, giving your Sims’ spaces a richer atmosphere and more lifelike detail. With this update, that same glow is expanding to some of your favorite Community Spaces, including the Community Market, the Park, Influence Island, and the Nightclub. Plus, two festive spots are shining brighter than ever for the holidays: the Ice Palace and Santa’s Workshop; perfect timing for the heavily anticipated return of our Christmas Quest!

You’ll notice richer lighting and atmosphere across these locations, from the golden glow of a holiday sunset to the cool sparkle of a winter morning.

Enhanced Lighting automatically adjusts to your device, balancing the best visuals available with smooth performance. Players on higher-spec devices will notice increased depth of lighting and ambiance, while others can continue to enjoy Classic Lighting for a seamless experience. You can toggle between lighting options in Options > Graphics if your device supports it.

For now, Enhanced Lighting works best on devices with at least 3 GB RAM and newer mobile chipsets (A11 on iOS, or Mali G57/Adreno 640 and above on Android). Don’t worry, Classic Lighting will remain available and supported for everyone.

Please keep sharing your feedback and let us know if you have a favorite Community Space you’d like to receive Enhanced Lighting next.  

Changes to the way you build your SimTown

As you build new Community Spaces, you’ll notice that some new projects might start to request Upgrade Tools like Hammers, Nails, and Wood in addition to Simoleons. You can collect these tools through new Timed Requests at the Community Market, where familiar faces from SimTown stop by with urgent requests.

Over time, you’ll start to rely on these Upgrade Tools a little more and Simoleons a little less when it comes to construction, helping balance gameplay and set the stage for bigger updates ahead. It also means you’ll have more freedom to spend your Simoleons on the things that your Sims will love.

This is just the beginning, and we’ll continue to refine the system based on your feedback. Please let us know what you think once you’ve had a chance to try it out.

A Gift for the Season…

Wow, there’s a lot in this update, but one more thing before we get into the events. Wrap your Sims in winter style with the Holiday Chalet Look: a cosy jacket, ushanka-style hat, ribbed knit pants, and comfy sneakers perfect for snowy strolls or market adventures.

Four cozy variations will arrive in your inbox during the first week of the update, each available for 48 hours before the next one drops. Collect them all and complete your Sims’ festive wardrobe for the season.

Here’s What’s Waiting in Plümberg...

Christmas Quest 2025 - Ghost of Christmas Presents

An overseas getaway sounded like the perfect plan, until your Sims discovered bad contracts and worse customer service haunted their holiday rental. When Santa’s Workshop and a few unlucky ghosts get caught in the fine print, it’s up to your Sims to melt Carole’s icy heart and save Christmas itself.

Craft Challenge  - Hygge Is Where the Heart is

High in the snowy mountains, an alpine cabin awaits your Sims’ festive touch. Furnish the space, light the fire, and turn it into the perfect winter retreat for friends, food, and fun. The more they craft, the cozier it gets!

Influence Island - Yuletide Snooza-Palooza

The nights are long, the cocoa’s warm, and the snores are louder than the sleigh bells! Long-John Snooza’s thunderous bedtime concert is keeping everyone up, but can your Sims bring back the hush of the holidays? Charm your way to peace and earn the snuggest new pajamas while you’re at it.

Influence Island - Dog Days of Winter

When the snow falls too thick to see the path ahead, your Sims find hope in wagging tails and frosty paw prints. Follow the Huskies through the storm to warmth, laughter, and a well-earned sauna stop, and keep an eye out, their winter fur has never looked more striking!

SimChase - The Thought that Counts

It’s gift-giving season, and the Plümberg winter market is bustling. But one overly ambitious shopper has their eye on every present in sight! Time to out-shop, out-charm, and outpace the competition before all the best gifts are gone.

SimChase - My Big Elysian Holiday

Looks like the journey took a sunny detour. We were aiming for Plümberg, but somehow ended up in Elysia, a coastal escape that feels like summer never left. With the next bus not arriving until tomorrow, your Sims might as well settle in! Explore this sun-drenched destination, borrow Nikos’ motorcycle for a quick ride, and bring a little warmth back to winter.

More to Enjoy This Season.

Influence Island: Counter Culture

Shabby has never looked so chic! The teens of SimTown have discovered a new thrifting trend and are scooping up every vintage piece they can find. Time to bargain, beg, or bribe your way into a set of retro-inspired counters and kitchen pieces before the upcyclers beat you to it.

Craft Challenge: Tudor & Scholar

Returning to your childhood cottage stirs up memories… and maybe a draft or two. The old home could use a little TLC, so roll up your sleeves, repair the walls, and restore it to its former storybook charm.

Hair Hobby Event: Daring Do’s

Experiment with bold, beautiful hairstyles as your Sims master the art of fashion design. Unlock daring new styles for adult Sims and give their wardrobes a fashionable refresh.

Craft Challenge: SimTown Health Spa

Turn relaxation into renovation. Build a luxurious spa retreat complete with saunas, massage tables, and serene décor. Unlock new items and create the ultimate relaxation destination for your Sims.

Hobby Event: Urban Chic

Style meets streetwear in this returning hobby event. Design sleek, city-ready outfits for male and female Sims, combining modern fashion with timeless confidence. When it comes to style, Urban Chic never goes out of season.

Influence Island: Fulfilling Festivities

Get into the spirit of decorating! From cozy firewood storage to glittering garlands and even a mischievous cat attempting to destroy the tree, this event celebrates the chaos and charm of holiday decorating. Bring a little joy (and a lot of sparkle) into your Sims’ homes.

SimChase: Christmas Cook-Off!

The heat is on in the holiday kitchen! Compete to collect festive décor and mouthwatering items like gingerbread candles, pudding platters, and a classic Christmas sweater. Ready, set, Sim-bake!

Complete Event List

Snow’s falling, lights are twinkling, and SimTown’s taking it easy for once, well, almost. Gather your Sims, swap stories, and make some holiday mischief.

Happy Holidays, Simmers, we’ll see you under the fairy lights of Plümberg!

Dag Dag!

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