The Festival of Giving is back, with all kinds of ways to get involved throughout December! Of course it's not all that’s happening – there’s a whole new Season launch coming your way this side of the holidays too – so pull up a log, brush off the snow and get settled as we present a handy schedule for the weeks ahead…
Reaper Fortresses Continue – until Thursday, December 11th
Before Season 18 encourages a return to The Devil’s Roar, you still have time to attack the Reapers’ enhanced encampments and pick up all the associated rewards! Emergent Reaper Fortresses will enter the usual World Event rotation from Season 18 onwards, so their Commendations will remain available to complete – they’ll just be a little more difficult to find in future.
Holiday Decorations – Monday, December 1st
Larinna’s been up in the loft and gotten the garlands out! That means the Outposts will once again be gloriously adorned with festive furnishings for the month of December. There’s even a fir tree up at Sanctuary Outpost...
‘Carol of the Cursed Crew’ Release – Monday, December 1st
In the spirit of the season, December’s addition to Sea of Thieves’ streaming soundtrack is this brooding rearrangement of ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’, available on all major music streaming services from the start of the month. If you want some visuals to go with it, please enjoy our special lyrics video – perfect for sailors who fancy a singalong:
View game page
Treasures for Hope – Monday, December 1st – Thursday, December 18th
We’re supporting the Global Gift Foundation in this initiative where players can pick up packs of curated cosmetics (including rare Obsidian, Onyx and Ebon items) in return for their donations, improving the lives of families in need this festive season! Read all about it and check out the treasures on offer at treasuresforhope.com.
Season 18 Launch – Thursday, December 11th
Return to The Devil’s Roar in Season 18! This fiery new Season lures pirates back to that hotbed of hazards, where Sanctuaries of the Banished are now exposed and ripe for the looting – if you can get past their defenders, the resurrected Eternal Guard.
Of course, a new Season also means another 100 levels of Renown to climb and unlock rewards along the way, plus a new optional Plunder Pass (featuring the Nightshade Sentry set) alongside a monthly restock of the Emporium and Outpost shop shelves. Act 1 of Season 18 goes live on December 11th, so not long to wait!
Your Story So Far – Thursday, December 11th
The pirate performance checkpoint also returns, providing statistics on everything from gold earned and distance sailed to your fighting, singing and cooking preferences – and engagement with new Seasonal features released as recently as Season 17.
Keep whichever of your eyes is beadier on our social channels to see when this year’s Story So Far page goes live. Your final figures for the year will be captured as soon as you click through, so when you’re sure they’re as good as they can be, take the plunge and see how you did!
The Orb Returns – Friday, December 12th – Sunday, December 14th
It’s been a while since the last communication from this sinister sphere, so who knows what it has in store this time? Whispers and visions? Veiled clues and hidden rewards? Find out on Twitch when the Orb awakens from its slumber later this month.
Legends of Giving and Holiday Hauls – Monday, December 15th – Friday, January 2nd
Once again, Holiday Hauls will see our Sea of Thieves Partners, Affiliate Alliance leaders and Deckhands setting out under the Generous Gift Sails, spreading holiday cheer and presents alike to the crews they meet along the way. But this year they’ll be joined by any and all Pirate Legends who wish to take up the gift-giving cause. These Legends of Giving will raise the same telltale sails, and come prepared with an Obsidian gift for you to take off their hands!
Gilded Voyage Giveaways – Monday, December 15th – Friday, January 2nd
Also between these dates, we’ll be calling back to last year’s Festival of Giving by furnishing all pirates with a free Gilded Voyage every day. And it’s worth leaving a reminder here that these Voyages don’t stack, so you’ll want to make a beeline for the Quest Table and use each one as you get it…
Support a Streamer – Monday, December 15th – Friday, January 2nd
There’s a lot going on during this period! In addition to watching the horizon for gift-giving crews and making the most of your Gilded Voyages, you can earn more rewards by buying and gifting subscriptions for your favourite Sea of Thieves Partnered streamers. Viewers who gift two qualifying subscriptions will receive new Amethyst Mercenary ship cosmetics, while those who gift three can also walk away with the Ebon Double Barrel Pistol. Stay tuned to our channels for all the details!
Pirate Emporium Holiday Sale – Thursday, December 18th – Monday, January 5th
End-of-year sale time, and it’s a big one: almost everything (that isn’t brand new or time-limited) in the Emporium can be had for 50% off its usual price between the dates above. So if there was ever a time to go wild with the Ancient Coins and maximise your returns, this might just be it…
Xbox Game Pass Benefits – Fancy Jig Emote – until Friday, January 2nd
And don’t forget, if you’re a Game Pass subscriber, you can still claim your free Fancy Jig Emote through In-Game Benefits! ’Tis the season to be jolly and also the season to be fancy, so treat yourself.
And that’s everything we’ve managed to fit into 2025’s jam-packed final month. Stick some pins in your calendar (or stay tuned to Sea of Thieves social channels for reminders as these things go live) so that you don’t miss out on all the Festival of Giving festivities! We’ll see you for another look ahead at the start of 2026…