Free Animal Crossing: New Horizons Content Ahead of 3.0 Update, Claim Now

Nintendo has just dropped a few freebies for Animal Crossing: New Horizons players to celebrate the new year, just in time for the new 3.0 update.

Even nearly six years later, Animal Crossing: New Horizons proves to be one of Nintendo’s biggest Switch exclusives, with the publisher continuing to release free content for it.

Next week sees the release of the 3.0 update, which adds various new free content, new game mechanics, and native Switch 2 support with exclusive features.

Ahead of this new update though, Nintendo has released several free downloads for Animal Crossing: New Horizons that players may enjoy to kick off the new year.

As shared on X (formerly Twitter), Animal Crossing players can now download three new custom designs for their island: a flag, hoodie and knit cap, all sporting the year ‘2026’ on them.

These designs also feature firework-like patterns, and serve as an excellent way to celebrate the new year on your island.

Here are the new designs, along with the ID you need to input:

• 2026 Knit Cap – MO-4BF9-FR90-X513
• 2026 Hoodie – MO-05W4-BPK8-3R2F
• 2026 Flag – MO-T5KK-WX8Y-VKP0

How To Add Custom Designs To Your Animal Crossing Island

To add these designs to your island, you need to have unlocked the Able Sisters shop to access the Custom Design Kiosk. You’ll also need an active Nintendo Switch Online membership to be able to use the feature.

Head to the Custom Design Kiosk and search for Pro Designs using a Creator ID or Design ID. Here, you can input the individual design IDs to download these items.

Alternatively, you can also use the creator ID, which is MA-6818-1746-6029 to access all designs created by Nintendo.

Once you’ve found the designs you want, hit Save and then the items will be added to the Custom Designs app in your Nook Phone, which you’ll then be able to start using.

This new free content comes ahead of the 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which launches on 15 January, 2026.

The update adds a native Switch 2 version, which includes increased resolution and graphical quality, as well as mouse control support and increased multiplayer island player counts.

The free update also includes several new features such as the Resort Hotel, where visitors to your island can stay. The update also adds the Resetti Reset Service to help you tidy up your island, and Slumber Islands that act as alternative, smaller islands for you to decorate.