Fortnite Winterfest 2021: Start date, skins, & leaks

Hamza Khalid
Snowy cabin in Fortnite

Fortnite Winterfest 2021 features various new unlockable skins, cosmetic accessories, bundles, challenges, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including the start date.

Fortnite Chapter 3 brought a plethora of new content for players to explore, including Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Spider-Man as unlockable skins. Vaults have also returned to the Island.

Epic Games will bring players into the holiday spirit with Winterfest 2021. This event features new cosmetic skins, bundles, challenges, and other fun additions for fans to enjoy in the battle royale.

Here’s everything we know about Winterfest 2021.

Fortnite Winterfest 2021 start date and downtime

Epic Games have confirmed that the Fortnite Winterfest festivities will kick off on December 16 and will last for 14 days until December 30. During this time, we will see the arrival of frosty fresh items, special challenges, and more.

The event had a similar duration last time as well. The 19.01 update arrived on December 14 at 12 AM PST / 3 AM EST / 8 AM GMT and the game entered downtime as the new content was implemented.

How to get free Krisabelle & Polar Peely skins in Fortnite

Fortnite Winterfest skins

The Winterfest 2021 event has already brought a ton of cool holiday-themed skins that you can purchase from the Item Shop, along with two cash bundles. So, you can participate in the fest while wearing cool winter outfits.

It’s not common for Fortnite skins to be given away for free although players must remember it is the season of giving. During Winterfest, both Krisabelle and Polar Peely skins will be available.

These aren’t the easiest skins to unlock but players up for a challenge will receive a festive reward. Claiming the six presents blocking her way will result in unlocking the Krisabelle skin. This means you’ll have to be patient and wait until at least day 7 of Winterfest before you can complete the challenge.

When it comes to Polar Peely, you’ll have to wait for the frozen ice block to thaw. Although we currently don’t know when that will be, players should expect it to occur as the event nears its conclusion.

Fortnite Winterfest 2021 items

Fortnite fans are sure to recognize some returning holiday items via Winterfest. Keep in mind you’ll have a limited time to take advantage of these festive items so get to playing!

Here are the items that are available throughout the Winterfest event.

  • Chiller Grenades
  • Snowball Launcher
  • Holiday Presents!
  • Sneaky Snowman

How to open presents in Fortnite Winterfest 2021

fortnite presents winterfest

Accessing your presents in Fortnite is quite simple. Just make sure you’re on the lobby screen and keep scrolling until you get to the snowflake tab. Select ‘visit Lodge’ and choose the present you want to open.

The next 14 days will be vital. Don’t forget to return each day for the next 14 days to unwrap more presents. If you miss a day or two, worry not, you will be able to catch up on any unopened presents. You’ll need to log in before January 6, 2022 to do so.

That covers everything that’s been revealed so far about Winterfest 2021. You can currently go to the Fortnite Item Shop and purchase some cool holiday-themed cosmetics for yourself.

We’ll keep checking for any more developments regarding the fest. If Epic Games announce some new information throughout the event, we’ll be sure to update this article.


For more Fortnite content, check out this clever Fortnite Chapter 3 chicken trick that’s perfect for opening Vaults as well as our guide on how to get the Victory Crown in Fortnite.

Image credits: Epic Games

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