Marvel Rivals Unleashes Major Holiday Update With New Winter Festival

Marvel Rivals has launched a significant seasonal update. The hero shooter’s latest patch arrived on December 18, 2025. It introduces a festive winter event packed with new content. Players can explore a revamped game mode and earn free rewards.

This update marks the return of a popular fan-favorite event. According to official patch notes, the focus is on holiday-themed fun. The developers aim to keep the community engaged during the festive season.

New Modes and Free Rewards Dominate Festive Patch

The centerpiece is Jeff’s Winter Splash Festival. This limited-time mode has been completely redesigned for 2025. It offers new styles and activities within a winter wonderland setting. The event runs until January 16, 2026.

A major new event called “Gone Nutty For Gifts” is now live. Players can complete missions to earn a free Magneto costume. Premium rewards include skins for Winter Soldier and Squirrel Girl. Another event, “Winter Gift,” lets players collect free currency daily from a Christmas tree in Times Square.

The update also brings back classic holiday costumes. Popular bundles for heroes like Storm, Venom, and Magik are available again. Brand-new cosmetic bundles for Peni Parker, Star-Lord, and Daredevil have been added to the in-game store.

Broader Impact on Player Engagement and Seasonal Trends

This substantial content drop is a strategic move by NetEase. It capitalizes on high player activity during the holiday period. Seasonal events are crucial for retaining players in live-service games like Marvel Rivals.

The update provides fresh objectives and visual variety. It gives both new and veteran players reasons to log in. The mix of free and premium rewards caters to different segments of the player base.

Fixes for technical issues are also included. Problems with voice chat and specific hero abilities have been resolved. These improvements ensure a smoother experience during the busy event period.

The Marvel Rivals holiday update successfully blends festive cheer with meaningful gameplay content. This winter festival is set to dominate player sessions throughout the season.

Info at your fingertips

What is the main new mode in the Marvel Rivals update?

The main new mode is Jeff’s Winter Splash Festival. It is a revamped winter-themed event set in Jeffland. The mode runs until January 16, 2026.

Can players get free rewards from this update?

Yes, players can earn several free rewards. The “Gone Nutty For Gifts” event offers a free Magneto costume. The “Winter Gift” event provides daily free Units from a Christmas tree in-game.

Are there any new hero bundles in the store?

Yes, three new hero bundles are available for a limited time. These are for Peni Parker, Star-Lord, and Daredevil. Each bundle contains a new seasonal costume and other items.

Did the patch fix any major game bugs?

Yes, the patch fixed several issues. It resolved a pink screen glitch linked to NVIDIA DLSS. It also fixed squad voice chat problems and frame rate drops with Blade’s abilities.