Hunters,
Read on to find out what’s coming up in December!
Season 8 kicks off this month! In this update, more monsters, including Astalos, will make their debut in Monster Hunter Now. A brand-new feature called Base Defense is coming to exploration bases, and with it, riftcharged monsters!
Check out the full details of Season 8 here.
Before Season 8 begins, we’ll be hosting the Season 7 Climax event, where you can continue hunting the monsters introduced in Season 7 and collect Mysterious Driftstones. Make the most of the final days of the season!
And as we head into the holidays, get ready for A Happy Hunting New Year 2026. New event-exclusive equipment will make its appearance, bringing seasonal style to your winter hunts.
Let’s close out the year with some epic hunts and celebration!
December Event Lineup
Season 7 Climax Event
Dates & Times
Part I: From Monday, December 1st, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. until Friday, December 5th, 2025, at 8:59 a.m. (local time)
Part II: From Friday, December 5th, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (local time) until Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (UTC)
Look forward to more appearances of Espinas, who made its debut in Season 7, as well as Brute Tigrex, Lunagaron, and Garangolm! The featured monsters will differ between the first and second parts of the event.
You’ll also have the chance to obtain Mysterious Driftstones J, K, and L, which first appeared in Season 7.
- This event marks the final week of the ongoing 4-Week Challenge (11/10–12/9).
From Dec. 5–9, a special bonus ticket will be available for purchase, offering even more ways to enjoy the event! Stay tuned for more details.
Season 8 Kickoff Event
Dates & Times
From Thursday, December 11th, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. until Sunday, December 21st, 2025, at 2:59 p.m. (UTC)
The appearance rates of monsters coming in Season 8—Astalos, Goss Harag, Quematrice, and the newly arriving Riftborne Khezu—will be increased! Additionally, equipment forged from Astalos, Goss Harag, and Quematrice materials will receive performance boosts during the event.
Weapons forged from Astalos and Khezu materials are designated as “featured defense weapons”, granting bonus points when equipped during riftcharged monster hunts. Be sure to forge and upgrade them to prepare for riftcharged monsters!
For details on when riftcharged monsters will appear, check the Exploration Base & Monster Outbreak Schedule.
A Happy Hunting New Year 2026
Dates & Times
Part I: From Monday, December 22nd, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. until Monday, December 29th, 2025, at 8:59 a.m. (local time)
Part II: From Monday, December 29th, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. until Sunday, January 4th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
This large-scale event will take place over the year-end and New Year period, divided into two parts. Look forward to exclusive event equipment and layered equipment, as well as a brand-new event quest, where all hunters work together toward a shared goal.
Stay tuned for more details!
Exploration Base & Monster Outbreak Schedule
Check out the upcoming schedule for exploration bases and monster outbreaks.
Season 7 Wave 4
Wave period
Start: Nov. 26, 2025 (Wed) 12:00 a.m. (UTC)
End: Dec. 9, 2025 (Tue) 2:59 p.m. (UTC)
Outbreak Target Monster
Espinas (8★)
Outbreak Times
Dec. 5, 2025 (Fri) 5:00–5:59 p.m. (local)
Dec. 6, 2025 (Sat) 3:00–3:59 p.m. (local)
Dec. 7, 2025 (Sun) 3:00–3:59 p.m. (local)
- Sign-up roster open from Nov. 28 (Fri) 5:00 p.m. (local)
Outbreak Sign-Up Rewards
Exclusive hunter medal: Espinas Outbreak Medal
Medal Conditions
- You must sign up to participate and slay at least 1 target monster at the base and during the time slot you signed up for.
- Awarded after the time slot ends.
- Medal is awarded only once per Wave.
Monster Outbreak Goal Rewards
Rewards vary based on your base’s level.
| Base Level | Midway Rewards | Goal Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| 3 or less | None | Espinas Tail × 4 Espinas Horn × 4 Espinas Primescale × 4 Espinas Spike × 4 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 4–6 | 100 base reputation | Espinas Tail × 5 Espinas Horn × 5 Espinas Primescale × 5 Espinas Spike × 5 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 7–8 | 200 base reputation | Espinas Tail × 6 Espinas Horn × 6 Espinas Primescale × 6 Espinas Spike × 6 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 9 or more | 300 base reputation | Espinas Tail × 7 Espinas Horn × 7 Espinas Primescale × 7 Espinas Spike × 7 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
Conditions for Receiving Goal Rewards
Rewards can be obtained if the following conditions are met:
- Submit at least one exploration report at that exploration base between the start of the Wave and the end of the monster outbreak.
- Slay at least one target monster at that base.
Rewards can be earned each time the goal is achieved during an outbreak period. Rewards are granted after each time slot ends.
Season 8 Wave 1
Wave period
Start: Dec. 11, 2025 (Thu) 12:00 a.m. (UTC)
End: Jan. 18, 2026 (Sun) 2:59 p.m. (UTC)
Outbreak Target Monster
Riftborne Khezu (8★)
Outbreak Times
Dec. 26, 2025 (Fri) 6:00–6:59 p.m. (local)
Dec. 27, 2025 (Sat) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
Dec. 28, 2025 (Sun) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
- Sign-up roster open from Dec. 19 (Fri) 6:00 p.m. (local)
- Please note that times are different from previous Waves.
Outbreak Sign-Up Rewards
Exclusive hunter medal: Riftborne Khezu Outbreak Medal
Medal Conditions
- You must sign up to participate and slay at least 1 target monster at the base and during the time slot you signed up for.
- Awarded after the time slot ends.
- Medal is awarded only once per Wave.
Monster Outbreak Goal Rewards
Rewards vary based on your base’s level.
| Base Level | Midway Rewards | Goal Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| 3 or less | None | Pale Extract × 4 Pale Bone × 4 Flabby Primehide × 4 Pale Primebone × 4 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 4–6 | 100 base reputation | Pale Extract × 5 Pale Bone × 5 Flabby Primehide × 5 Pale Primebone × 5 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 7–8 | 200 base reputation | Pale Extract × 6 Pale Bone × 6 Flabby Primehide × 6 Pale Primebone × 6 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 9 or more | 300 base reputation | Pale Extract × 7 Pale Bone × 7 Flabby Primehide × 7 Pale Primebone × 7 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
Conditions for Receiving Goal Rewards
Rewards can be obtained if the following conditions are met:
- Submit at least one exploration report at that exploration base between the start of the Wave and the end of the monster outbreak.
- Slay at least one target monster at that base.
Rewards can be earned each time the goal is achieved during an outbreak period. Rewards are granted after each time slot ends.
Base Defense: Riftcharged monster appearances
Monday, January 12th, 2026 – Sunday, January 18th, 2026 (local time)
- Riftcharged monsters will appear at certain times during the above dates.
Riftcharged monster
Rathian
Stay tuned for more details about the Base Defense feature!
Event-Exclusive Packs
Limited-time packs will be available from the in-game shop and Web Store.
Some previously available layered equipment will also be for sale in the in-game shop!
Sales Period
From Monday, December 1st, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. until Wednesday, December 31st, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. UTC
What's Included
◆ Winter Holiday A Pack
Winter Holiday A Layered Equipment
- Comes in 5 parts: head, chest, waist, arms, and legs.
- The chest and waist parts are a set.
- Since this is re-issued layered equipment, it cannot be purchased if you already own it.
◆ Winter Holiday B Pack
Winter Holiday B Layered Equipment
- Comes in 5 parts: head, chest, waist, arms, and legs.
- The chest and waist parts are a set.
- Since this is re-issued layered equipment, it cannot be purchased if you already own it.
Other limited-time packs will also be for sale! Check the in-game shop and Web Store for more details once sales begin.
Additional Information
- You will need to have completed the prologue in order to participate in events.
- Driftsmelting can be unlocked by completing the pre-season story.
- Check the announcements for each event for more information.
Be sure to follow us on social media for all the latest news!
