Heartopia’s first major seasonal update has arrived, and winter has officially taken over the island. The Winter Frost Season Event introduces new quests, limited-time mechanics, and seasonal collectibles. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a slow-building storyline centered around the mysterious Frostspore Infection.

While the full event runs from January 24 to March 14, the first week acts as a prep phase. This way, players can ease into what will eventually become one of the most content-rich updates in the game so far. If you’ve logged in and felt a little confused about what’s happening, this guide can walk you through the Winter Frost Season Event in Heartopia.

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How to Unlock the Winter Frost Season Event

The Winter Frost Season runs from January 24, 2026, until March 14, 2026, with daily resets occurring around 6 AM server time. At the center of the event is the Frostspore Infection, a strange winter phenomenon spreading through Heartopia due to extreme cold. Villagers are worried, animals are affected, and the Guild needs help managing the situation.

As a player, your role is to assist NPCs, protect wildlife, and help the town adapt to the freezing conditions. However, the first part of the event, the prep phase, will run from January 24 through January 31. To participate in the Winter Frost Season Prep Event, you need to meet two requirements:

  • DG Guild Level 7
  • Completion of the main story quest “The Answer Lies Within

Once eligible, you’ll receive a call from Atara when you log in. This starts the first prep quest and unlocks the Winter Prep app on your in-game watch.

When it’s snowing, players can shovel snow and build snowmen around town. It’s an adorable feature that’s perfect for photos. Besides that, construction signs around Onsen Mountain signal the arrival of the Ice Skating Dream, a brand-new activity, seperate from your hobbies. Players will help build the skating rink and unlock figure skating content.

Winter Frost Prep Phase Explained

Winter Prep Heartopia Image via TheBestWarGames; Source: XD

The Winter Frost Event prep phase is split into two phases, each unlocking new objectives and rewards.

Phase I: Cold Weather Warning

Winter Prep Quests Heartopia Image via TheBestWarGames; Source: XD

Phase I begins immediately on January 24. You’ll receive a few quests through the Winter Prep app. These quests are short and easy, designed to be completed casually rather than rushed.

Phase II: Resident Feedback Collection

Phase II introduces new objectives centered around gathering feedback from Heartopia’s residents. Completing these quests rewards stamps that contribute to future unlocks.

While they’re not available during the prep phase, you’ll be able to catch frostspore-infected creatures in this event. They are expected to appear after January 31, when the full Winter Frost Season officially begins. We'll update this guide as we uncover more details about the upcoming phase.

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Life Simulation
Casual
City Builder
Immersive Sim
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Systems
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Released
January 8, 2026
Developer(s)
XD
Publisher(s)
XD
Number of Players
Single-player
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Genre(s)
Life Simulation, Casual, City Builder, Immersive Sim