The Festival is a hidden and arguably underwhelming event in Elden Ring, but for completionists, getting it to trigger is a satisfying achievement. This guide will walk you through the steps required to initiate this elusive in-game celebration. It's important to note that there are no major rewards associated with the Festival itself, but the satisfaction of finding it makes the effort worthwhile.
Understanding the Prerequisites
Before you can even think about starting the Festival, you need to meet several crucial conditions:
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Complete Ranni the Witch's questline: This is the most crucial step. You must complete her questline fully, culminating in her final encounter. This is a long and complex quest, so make sure you're familiar with its various stages. Failing to do so will prevent the Festival from ever triggering.
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Defeat Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon: This boss fight is part of Ranni's questline, and you need to overcome it before progressing further.
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Access the Crumbling Farum Azula: This late-game area is where the Festival will ultimately take place. Accessing it usually involves progressing through Ranni's questline and other significant story points.
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Progress the Main Storyline: You need to have made substantial progress in the main storyline. Simply beating Rennala isn't enough; you'll need to have encountered several key areas and bosses.
The Festival Trigger
Once you've satisfied all the prerequisites, the Festival will generally start automatically upon reaching a certain point in Crumbling Farum Azula. There is no specific action you need to perform to initiate it. Simply explore this area and, at a specific moment, you should witness some NPC interaction indicative of the festival beginning. Many players report the festival starting after entering a specific grace site within Crumbling Farum Azula, though the exact location can vary slightly based on player experiences.
What to Expect During the Festival
The "Festival" itself is more of a visual spectacle than a gameplay event. Expect to encounter NPCs celebrating and interacting with each other in a relatively short scene. It's a small event, but it adds a touch of unique atmosphere to the late game. There are no items, weapons, or significant plot developments associated with the Festival. Its primary appeal is to players who seek to experience everything the game has to offer.
Troubleshooting: Why Isn't My Festival Starting?
If you've completed Ranni's questline and are exploring Crumbling Farum Azula, but the Festival isn't triggering, consider these possibilities:
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Questline Bugs: Occasionally, bugs can prevent the Festival from triggering. Try reloading your save or checking online forums for reported issues with Ranni's questline.
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Incorrect Area: Ensure you're in the correct section of Crumbling Farum Azula. The event only occurs in a specific area within the level.
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Missing Steps: Double-check that you have completed every step of Ranni's questline. Even a minor missed interaction could prevent the Festival from starting.
In Conclusion:
Initiating the Festival in Elden Ring is more about completing Ranni's questline flawlessly than any specific action. Pay close attention to detail during her quest, and the Festival should trigger naturally as you explore Crumbling Farum Azula. It's a small, visually satisfying event for those who appreciate the game's hidden nuances.
