It’s that time of year when we’re making our lists, checking them twice, and scouring every store and website to ensure we get the perfect gifts for friends and family and get all of our Christmas shopping done in time. But the holiday season isn’t just about presents. It’s also about appreciating those around us and coming together to share in something special.

It’s not just the real world where we enjoy the holiday season. Soon, Final Fantasy 14 players across Eorzea will be experiencing the excitement of the Starlight Celebration, taking part in the latest seasonal event, donning their festive glamours, and decorating their FC houses and apartments.

RELATED: Final Fantasy 14 Community Spotlight: Minato Briar's Persona Velvet Room Build

With that in mind, we wanted to celebrate the Final Fantasy 14 community with our very own Starlight Celebration Advent Calendar. Every day up until Christmas, we’ll be opening a new door on our calendar and revealing something fun for players to do in-game (and sometimes in the real world, too). We’ll be highlighting some of the incredible people within the community, as well as sharing festive challenges for your Warriors of Light to tackle.

Make sure you visit every day to see what each new door brings!

Starlight Celebration Advent Calendar

1. SHC’s Christmas Village

Are you ready for a walk in a winter wonderland? For our very first advent calendar door reveal, we’re encouraging players to visit SHC’s stunning Christmas Village on Goblin.

Mocha_Kaffe of SHC has not only ‘let it snow’ outside their FC house, with a snow-filled scene for players to enjoy, but they’ve built a beautiful recreation of a shopping promenade, complete with festive decorations and store windows filled with perfect gift ideas. In the basement, you can find a stage with a beautiful Christmas tree, while upstairs is a gorgeous carousel and a cosy little log cabin bar with an open fire to keep you warm.

It’s the perfect place to take some holiday gpose snaps to share with your friends and FC, especially as the official Starlight Celebration decorations have yet to arrive.

You can visit this house on Plot 1, Ward 11 of Mist on Goblin, Crystal. Please be courteous to FC members and other visitors while there.

2. Namafel Inc Presents Lalafells of the Caribbean - The Finale

For many, the holidays also mean that pantomime season has arrived. So what better way to celebrate than with a show?

Namafel Inc returns with the follow-up to Lalafells Of The Caribbean, so get ready to catch up with the cast and witness the finale of this adorable and hilarious story arc. If you missed out on the first show, you can watch the highlights here.

Lalafells of the Caribbean - The Finale will take place today (December 2) at 21:00 GMT+8/ 13:00 GMT / 08:00 EST in Plot 43, Ward 9 of the Goblet on Tonberry, Elemental. There will also be a rerun at the same time tomorrow (December 3).

3. A Recipe Reborn - Starlight Roll Cake Baking

It wouldn’t be the holidays without stuffing your face with all kinds of tasty treats, right? A Starlight Roll Cake is the perfect choice, so let’s bring a taste of Eorzea to our festive tables.

For her A Recipe Reborn cooking stream this week, Lemon Drop has kindly taught us how to bake the Starlight Roll Cake from Final Fantasy 14, but in the real world! You can find the video that instructs you how to bake your own cake just below, as well as the full recipe that breaks down all required ingredients and instructions, so you can ensure you have everything you need.

Don't forget to check out Lemon Drop's other amazing cooking creations! You can stay up to date with her streaming schedule via her Twitter.

Starlight Roll Cake Recipe

Special Equipment

• 18 x 13-inch baking pan (half sheet size, 45 x 33 cm)
• Stand mixer (preferred) or hand mixer
• Scale
• Thermometer
• Piping bag & star tip

Chocolate Glaze

• 200g of white chocolate, chopped
• 200g of whipping cream
• 50g glucose or light corn syrup
• brown gel food colouring or 1 tsp of strong instant coffee (prepared with water)

Chocolate Glaze Method

1. In a small pot, whisk together the cream and glucose, then bring to a boil.
2. Place the chocolate in a bowl. Pour the cream mixture over the chocolate and let stand for 1 minute.
3. Stir gently to combine, do not whip to prevent forming bubbles.
4. Add the colouring to the remaining glaze, then set aside to cool.

Sponge cake

• 250g (5) whole eggs
• 100g granulated sugar
• 100g bread flour
• 5ml vanilla extract

Sponge cake method

1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F. Prepare the baking pan with cooking spray or soft butter, then press parchment paper into the pan. Prepare a pan of barely simmering water for a double boiler.
2. In a large heat-safe bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, and heat over the double boiler until it reaches 60C/140F, whisking constantly. Using a mixer, whip the mixture to the ribbon stage. It should be light and doubled in volume. Mix in the vanilla.
3. Sift the flour and gently fold it into the egg mixture.
4. Scoop the batter into the baking pan, spread with a spatula, and bake until the cake springs back to the touch, about ten minutes. Set aside to cool completely.

Brandy Syrup

• 60g granulated sugar
• 60g water
• 10g brandy or spirit of your preference
• Brandy Syrup method

1. In a small pot, combine the sugar and the water and bring to a boil. Take the pot off the heat and add the brandy. Set aside to cool completely.

Italian Buttercream

• 165g (5) egg whites
• 300g sugar, divided into 225g and 75g
• 83ml water
• 10ml vanilla extract or paste
• 450g butter, softened and cubed
• 166g white chocolate, chopped

Buttercream method

1. In a small pot, combine water and 225g sugar. Cook over medium-high heat to make a syrup. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the egg whites and remaining 75g sugar. Begin whipping the egg whites on medium speed.
2. When the egg whites reach soft peaks, and the syrup reaches 116C/240F, immediately remove the syrup from the heat, continue to whip the egg whites, and carefully pour in the syrup with a slow steady stream.
3. Whip until the mixture has cooled to room temperature.
4. Switch to the paddle attachment, if you have one. Add the vanilla. On medium speed, mix in the butter a few cubes at a time, and cream to a smooth and light consistency. This may take up to 20 minutes.
5. While the mixture is whipping, heat the chocolate over a double boiler to melt and set it aside to cool
6. When the buttercream mixture is smooth, add in the chocolate and mix until fully incorporated.

Swiss Roll Assembly & Garnishing

• Cooled cake
• Buttercream
• Brandy syrup
• Glaze
• 10 small same-sized strawberries

1. Slice the sponge in half width-wise to make 2 rolls. Cut the parchment paper as well.
2. Brush both pieces of sponge with brandy syrup.
3. Set aside about 200g buttercream to mask the roll. Set aside about 150g to pipe rosettes.
4. Dollop then spread buttercream on both pieces of sponge, leaving the far edge uncovered.
5. Roll both cakes into a log lengthwise, use the parchment to hold it together as you roll.
6. Brush the surface of the roll with brandy syrup.
7. Mask both rolls with buttercream and smooth with parchment paper.
8. Set in the freezer to chill and firm up, about 20 minutes.
9. Set the rolls on an elevated surface or wire rack and pour the glaze over them. If the glaze is solidified, warm it up over a double boiler.
10. Cut the ends off the rolls and slice the rolls into ten 2-inch pieces.
11. Pipe a rosette on to each slice with the remaining buttercream.
12. Garnish with strawberries.

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4. Starlight Celebration Scavenger Hunt Challenge

Are you ready for your first Starlight Celebration challenge? Let’s start with a Scavenger Hunt!

We want you to find a range of festive-themed targets in the game. This isn’t going to be as straightforward as you might think, as don’t forget, the Starlight Celebration decorations have yet to arrive in-game. So what does that mean? It’s time to get creative!

Can’t find Santa Claus? Ramuh or a bearded Roegadyn will do. No reindeer? Well, how about an antelope? You get the idea. We’ve shared our own creative solutions to the Scavenger Hunt just below to give you some hints!

1. A snowman
2. A reindeer
3. Santa Claus
4. A wrapped gift
5. An elf
6. A hearty winter meal
7. A wreath
8. A Christmas tree
9. An open fire
10. A stocking

Our Scavenger Hunt Results

5. Archer's Den Bard Concert Venue

When it comes to Christmas, you can't help but think of Christmas carols and live entertainment. We all need a bit of live music to enjoy the holidays, so why not attend the Archer's Den Bard concert venue on Primal! Enjoy the music of four different Bard bands and get partying with other players who are all ready to dance the night away.

The venue is open this evening from 6:30pm - 11:30pm EST with the following lineup:

• 6:30pm - 7:00pm EST - The Rosalines
• 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST - The Awesomi's
• 8:30pm - 10:00pm EST - Mevari and the Archons
• 10:00pm - 11:30pm EST - The Wiggles

You can find the Archer's Den in Plot 21, Ward 16 in Mist on Hyperion, Primal.

6. How To Catch Starbright - The Unofficial, Official Fish Of Starlight Celebration!

It's time to get festive in a fishy way, yep, you heard me! Our favourite Fisherman Fruity Snacks has created this awesome guide on how to catch the Starbright fish.

Why the Starbright fish, you ask? It's not just down to a similar-sounding name to the Starlight Celebration. According to Eorzean lore, these kissing trout are believed to be blessed by the goddess Nymeia, the very same goddess associated with the Starlight Celebration.

So get your festive fishing gear on and go and catch yourself your very own Starbright!

7. Christmas Elf Crafting Challenge

It's time for another Starlight Celebration challenge, and as it's the season of giving and all that, it's time to channel your inner Christmas elf and start making those toys! Or any gifts, really.

Dress in your favourite festive glamour, select your craft of choice, and let's get merry in our Christmas Elf Crafting challenge!

Whether your crafting jobs are maxed out, or you're still low-level, there's always something useful or fun to make for others! Here are some ideas:

• Be helpful! Go to sprout starter areas and help craft low-level gear and consumables that new players would appreciate.
• Get toy-making! Craft minions or furnishings that would be the envy of any of Santa's workshop elves!
• Make it fun! Everyone loves a silly or cute glamour piece to wear, so why not craft them something for their Glamour Dresser!

Then you get to run around delivering gifts to any Warriors of Light in Eorzea! It's at this point I wished I had a sleigh mount...

Even if you don't have a crafting job leveled, you can still participate in spreading a little Christmas cheer, after all, not all gifts have to be material!

Why not help out someone in a zone? Go around and share those heals, help fellow players complete content, or just share a little joy with some silly dances!

8. The Aether Entertainer's First Anniversary Party

Are you ready to party? We all love a good celebration this time of year, so why not visit The Aether Entertainer's First Anniversary event!

You can look forward to performances by The Songbird, Esprit, and Empress Vexy. There will also be the Rainy Nights Poetry Reading, a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre with The Locker Room, and The Roast Comedy Club. Still want more? There will also be character artists, a photo booth, and a tarot reader! Go and check out the winter-themed dancefloor, order your favourite drink from the bar, and get ready to show off your dance moves!

The event is taking place later today at 7:00 pm - 1:00 am EST in Plot 40, Ward 5 in Shirogane on Midgardsormr, Aether.

9. Starlight Celebration Festive Glamour By Kaiyoko Star

It's time to get festive, so why not dress up your Warrior of Light in some suitably merry gear for the holiday season! Not sure what to wear? Fashion guru Kaiyoko Star has got you covered with their stunning Starlight Celebration glamour.

If you want to replicate this festive look, we've got all the information you need right here:

Of course, you can also try coming up with your own Starlight Celebration glamours and combining sets and dyes to find the perfect look! Don't forget, if you need help with your weekly Fashion Report, check out Kaiyoko's in-depth guides each week!

10. Starlight Soirée At Gallery Figaro

It's finally the weekend, and that means it's time to get into the party spirit! Gallery Figaro is hosting the Starlight Soirée this evening, so get your best dress glamour on and get ready to have some fun in the museum after hours! If you're feeling brave, you can even check out the haunted toilets!

This event is in collaboration with the Eorzean Museum Network and sponsored by the Firmament. You can find out more about Gallery Figaro here and check out The Firmament's Discord here!

Gallery Figaro is located in Plot 31, Ward 1 in Empyreum on Balmung, Crystal. The event begins at 4:00 pm CST, and the dress code is formal attire.

11. Wish Upon A Realm Festival

Are you ready for some more festive fun? FFXIV Vtubers is hosting the second day of their Wish Upon a Realm event today — a special holiday festival that raises money for the Make a Wish Foundation!

Events kick off at 10:00am PST today, and you can see the full schedule and further information on their website. You can also find out more about the Make a Wish Foundation on the site, and if you are able to, please consider donating to this special cause.

Screenshots by Ahro'zi.

12. Moogle Treasure Trove ─ The Hunt for Creation Event!

For today's advent calendar entry, why not treat yourself to one of the many awesome rewards available in the Moogle Treasure Trove event that started today!

This event is only on for a limited time only and offers a great way to snag some items that are usually a lot harder to get. Additionally, you can get the Namazu Neckerchief item from this specific event too! Why not get extra festive and wear a Starlight Celebration glamour while running duties for tomestones?

We have a full guide on which duties apply to this event and what items you can purchase with Tomestones of Creation right here.

13. Maple Blackwell's Main Street, U.S.A. Christmas-Themed Build

It's time to visit another amazing Christmas-themed housing build! Maple Blackwell has created a Christmas build inspired by Main Street, U.S.A, from Disney parks, including a trolley car!

It's the perfect place to go and take some Starlight Celebration screenshots with your friends, so make sure you go and visit.

You can check this build out in the basement of Plot 42, Ward 10 in Empyreum of Midgardsormr, Aether. Maple would love to see any screenshots you share of your WoL's visiting on Twitter, so be sure to tag your posts with #MapleMagic!

Build and all screenshots by Maple Magic.

14. Esprit's Festive Hot Chocolate Dance From The Polar Express

What better way to celebrate the holidays than with a festive dance? Macro dance troupe Esprit has created this phenomenal routine for Hot Chocolate from The Polar Express!

Why not try out your own version of this dance, or come up with your own Christmas-inspired routine? It's also the perfect reminder to ensure you enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate this Christmas, don't forget the marshmallows!

You can stay up to date with Esprit and their shows via Twitter and Discord.

15. Starlight Celebration Event

We couldn't have a Starlight Celebration advent calendar without acknowledging the actual Starlight Celebration event!

The event is in full-swing, so make sure you log in and complete the seasonal quests to earn yourself an adorable Starlight Steed mount. There's also the Illuminated Tree furnishing up for grabs if you want to make your house extra festive.

We have a full guide on the event right here.

16. The Black Velvet's Christmas Charity Event

Are you ready for another Christmas party? The Black Velvet is hosting a special Christmas Charity Event! The whole evening is jam-packed with fun performances and minigames, as well as offering attendees the chance to win lots of prizes!

The Bingo is free, and the venue will give out 200K gil to each customer when they take bingo cards (limit one per person)! For each bingo card, The Black Velvet will donate SGD$1 to UNICEF and Savethechildren.org. You can find further details on the bingo prizes and donations made to the charities on The Black Velvet website.

Don't forget to check out the event in Plot 12, Ward 12 in Empyreum on Carbuncle, Elemental. Doors open at 8.30pm (GMT+8) / 07:30am EST / 12:30pm GMT.

Agenda

17. Photos With Santa And A Not So Silent Night Charity Event

For today, we have not just one but TWO awesome events taking place! The A Not So Silent Night Eorzea For Charity event is taking place both today and tomorrow, while Abbiocco Fine Dining is doing its Photos with Santa Claus event too. Read on for more details!

Photos With Santa Claus

Abbiocco Fine Dining is hosting an event where you can have your photo taken with Santa Claus as well as enjoy live music, giveaways, and more! Non-RPers are just as welcome as RP players, as this is not strictly an RP event, so come on over and enjoy the fun!

You can find out more information about the event on the Santa Photos website, as well as more information about Abbiocco Fine Dining from its website.

You can find Abbiocco Fine Dining in Plot 35, Ward 14 in the Goblet on Diabolos, Crystal. The event is taking place 9am - 12pm ET, then again from 9pm until 12am ET.

A Not So Silent Night Charity Event

The Catwalk, Seventh Haven, and Sugar Rush are hosting a cross-region special charity event! A Not-so-silent Night: Eorzea for Charity starts today and ends tomorrow, with events taking place across both EU and NA servers!

The event aims to bring attention to Childsplay Charity, which you can read all about on the official website. There will be a host of fun events over the next two days, including DJ sessions, an Advent Hide and Seek, Advent Quiz, Glamour Contest, get your picture taken with Santa with their Saintly pics, a mistletoe kissing booth, some RP workshops hosted by 7th Haven, Saint's Lil' Helpers, Holiday messages, some gambling minigames, and more!

For today's events, you can head to Empyreum Ward 7 (X:12,2: Y:11.3) on Omega, Chaos, while tomorrow the events will be held in Plot 60, Ward 30 of the Lavender Beds on Lamia, Primal. For a breakdown of times and events, please visit the website.

18. Team Bread Reminds Us To Enjoy The Holidays With Our Free Company

One of the best things about the holidays is getting to spend them with the people you love. Ob Sidian of Team Bread has shared some fun things they have done with their Free Company this year, as well as a little information about their FC.

Why not take some inspiration from Team Bread and organise your own festive events with your Free Company! You can check out the awesome screenshots by Ob Sidian of the fun holiday shenanigans that Team bread got up to just below.

"Team Bread has grown from an in-joke at an event to fostering truly great relationships I, personally, would be lost without. Formed during the height of the pandemic, we’ve come to value our Thursday nights together.

This is our second Christmas as an official group, and the first with our FC house. We’re a small team of six and we don’t have a huge house in-game - but we make it our own and we have each other.

While we don’t always have a set plan, this year it was a must to make our new home festive and come together in some way. Be it dressing up in festive glamours, or running Shiva for the 1,000th time (with a seasonal twist), or in-game gifting - it’s all about making time to come together in this world." - Ob Sidian

Screenshots by Ob Sidian.

19. Christmas Card Challenge

Now that the Starlight Celebration has arrived in-game, the cities are decked out in plenty of festive decorations. For today's Starlight Celebration Challenge, we're asking you to create your own Christmas Card!

Why not use your favourite festive glamour, pick a festive spot with decorations — or even one of the festive builds we've shared earlier in the month — and get snapping. You don't have to be a Photoshop or Gpose whizz, just a single screenshot will suffice!

Or why not go all out and create your best worst Christmas card. We took inspiration from those 80s-style cards made in studios where people and their pets are photographed together with terrible black backgrounds. Be warned, the mixture of aiming for a bad card and terrible Photoshop skills has made the below card... quite terrible.

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20. Blue Miqo’te's Annual Outdoor Winter Market

If you're looking for a fun festive event to attend this evening, the Blue Miqo'te has you covered with their Second Annual Outdoor Winter Market! You can find out more about the Blue Miqo'te on its website.

"The second Annual Outdoor Winter Market hosted by the Blue Miqo’te is a celebration of Starlight and open-air markets. Members of the team and friends will operate booths that will be filled with imaginative goods and treats. The focus is on something fun and quirky, so swing on by if you enjoy roleplay or just want some fun banter!

Additionally, there will be a Bard troupe, Black Rose, that will be performing seasonal jams and numbers. Lastly, what would an event be without a spot for photos? The yard has been turned into a picturesque environment ready for a gpose, or you can head indoors for a photo with our center-stage tree! " - Owner of the Blue Miqo’te.

The event runs tonight from 8:00pm until 10:00pm EST. You can find the Blue Miqo'te at Plot 6, Ward 7 of the Lavender Beds on Goblin, Crystal.

Screenshots by Ahro'zi.

21. Cat Snowmen Hunt Challenge

For this year's Starlight Celebration, Square Enix added adorable cat snowmen that can be found in different areas of the game! For today's Starlight Celebration challenge, we're asking you to find all 11 snowmen!

Ashara has kindly hunted down all of the Snowcats out there, so if you find yourself getting stuck during your hunt, you can peek at their locations just below.

All Snowcat Locations

Location	Coordinates
Old Gridania	(X:5.0, Y:6.7)
The Lavender Beds	(X:10.7, Y:14.7)
The Lavender Beds Subdivision	(X:7.3, Y:10.2)
Limsa Lominsa Upper Decks	(X:9.6, Y:8.4)
Mist	(X:11.2, Y:11.8_
Mist Subdivision	(X:10.6, Y:11.4)
Ul'dah - Steps of Thal	(X:12.5, Y:13.6)
The Goblet	(X:11.4, Y:12.0)
The Goblet Subdivision	(X:10.7, Y:11.4)
Shirogane	(X:9.8, Y:12.6)
Shirogane Subdivision	(X:9.5, Y:9.9)

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22. (HGXIV) Ashen Bride's Christmas Room Build

Christmas is creeping ever closer, so for today, Ashen Bride of HGXIV is teaching us how to build our very own Christmas room in-game! This room looks so nice and cosy, it's the perfect little spot for sharing some festive treats with friends and taking plenty of screenshots!

If you want to build your own version, Ashen Bride has kindly created infographics breaking down what you need to create the different aspects of the window seat, wood-burning stove, and snow globe, which she adapted from Lia Grassland's snowglobe design. The little snow piles on the window panes were created using Wall-mounted Wings too.

Window Seat

Wood-Burning Stove

Snow Globe

All screenshots and infographics by Ashen Bride.

23. Sugar, Spice & Everything Ice Event

Abbiocco Fine Dining and the Higuri Regalia are partnering up for a night of fashion and fun with the Sugar, Spice & Everything Ice event!

There will be a fashion show, contests, live music, and of course, lots of food and drink! For more information on the event, you can check out the Sugar, Spice & Everything Ice website. For more information on Abbiocco Fine Dining, you can view their website here.

The event is taking place between 7:00pm and 11:00pm EST this evening at Plot 35, Ward 14 of the Goblet on Diabolos, Crystal.

24. Not-So-Secret Santa Challenge

It's Christmas Eve! Most of us will be spending tomorrow with family and friends in the real world, so be sure to wish your Eorzean friends Merry Starlight today with a not-so-secret Santa gift!

Why not send gifts to those on your friend list via Moogle letters, so they get a little treat the next time they log in! You could even pick something suitably festive to gift!

25. Merry Christmas, Everyone!

We've made it all the way to Christmas Day, so that's the end of our advent calendar!

I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and thank the community for their help with this super fun project, and thank all the readers and players who took the time to read and take part in the activities!

I hope you all have a lovely holiday and get to spend time with loved ones, eat lots of tasty food, and maybe even get a present or two!

Happy Starlight Celebration!

NEXT: My Lonely Final Fantasy 14 Existence Is Helping Me Rediscover The Game