Fortnite Winterfest 2023: Start date, UK launch time & details

If you've gotten a little burnt out trying to survive the elements in LEGO Fortnite or can't reach the top of the podium in Rocket Racers, then perhaps some relaxing squad wipes by a warm fire will do you good.

There's always Fortnite Festival Mode, too, to sing your blues away.

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As part of the latest update, we're also getting some Fortnite TMNT skins, making it a cowabunga Christmas indeed.

But we're here for the Christmas cheer! Read on for all things Fortnite Winterfest 2023!

When is Fortnite Winterfest 2023?

Fortnite Winterfest is on from Thursday 14th December 2023 until 2nd January 2024.

Rumours pointed to Thursday 14th being the start date, as Thursdays are usually when Fortnite updates launch.

Epic Games casually took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the update.

Such is the sway that Fortnite has that when Epic Games speak, we all listen.

What is the UK start time for Fortnite Winterfest?

The UK launch time for Fortnite Winterfest was 2pm GMT on 14th December 2023.

The event will conclude at 2pm GMT on 2nd January 2024, so be sure to cram in some Fortnite festivities before then!

What is Fortnite Winterfest 2023?

Fortnite Winterfest 2023 is this year's festive transformation of the battle royale and sees Winterbeg, a new island on the Fortnite map, arrive.

There are also two new free skins, the Holiday Boxy and Winterfest Bushranger outfits - both of which have LEGO variants.

You'll also be able to grab daily gifts, but these won't disappear if you forget or can't log in. Instead, they will stack in your inventory, allowing you to catch up at a later date.

Unfortunately, there is no Cosy Cabin this year, and they are instead just opened in the main menu.

There are Christmas gifts located on Winterberg that can be opened though, like chests, and they can drop some pretty superb loot. Expect Winterberg to be quite a hotly contested drop zone.

There's the Sneaky Snowmando, too, that will let you blend in to try and get the drop on unsuspecting players. We wouldn't be surprised, though, if everyone is just going to attack every snowman they see now.

The Snowmando is just one of many items that are being unvaulted. Check out the full list below courtesy of the Fortnite Winterbest 2023 blog post.

• Throw down Holiday Presents! to open them up and grab the loot inside.
• Put on the Sneaky Snowmando disguise to give your enemies a seasonal surprise.
• Unleash frozen fury with the explosive Snowball Launcher.
• Consume a Snowy Flopper to restore some Health and give yourself icy feet.
• Fling yourself with the Icy Grappler and land with icy feet. (The Icy Grappler will be unvaulted later during Winterfest.)

There are also 19 quests for players to complete, and upon finishing them all, you will be awarded with the Snowglobe Smasher Pickaxe.

You can also use the Ship It! Express. Epic Games gives the lowdown:

"Only thrown weapons and consumables are allowed in the Zero Build Ship It! Express limited-time experience, leaving you to 'deliver' damage to your opponents.

"Deliver your way to victory by taking advantage of increased loot spawns and frequent Supply Drops. Don’t get caught up in the cold!"

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