Ethan Crossfield 
Splatoon 3 is getting another Halloween Splatfest, giving players a fresh reason to return to Turf War. The limited-time event will ask Inklings and Octolings to choose between Team Wizard, Team Knight, and Team Ninja, with the action scheduled to run from October 30 through November 1.
What Happened
The Halloween-themed Splatfest begins on October 30 at 5:00 p.m. PT and ends on November 1 at 2:59 p.m. PT. Players will battle for one of three fantasy roles: Wizard, Knight, or Ninja.
Splatsville, Inkopolis Plaza, and Inkopolis Square will receive seasonal decorations during the event. Deep Cut members Shiver, Frye, and Big Man will also appear in special outfits, while Anarchy Rainbow will receive a spooky remix. These changes give the event a distinct Halloween identity beyond its team selection.
Why It Matters
Splatfests remain among Splatoon 3’s most reliable community events, bringing players back for a concentrated period of Turf War matches and team competition. This Halloween edition is also notable because it revisits a previous theme. Nintendo used the fantasy-world concept for a Halloween Splatfest in 2024, making this year’s event a return rather than a wholly new premise.
That approach follows a broader pattern for Splatoon 3. The game has continued receiving Splatfests after the 2024 Grand Festival concluded its active update cycle, but many themes have been repeats. The 2025 Zombie versus Skeleton versus Ghost event likewise revisited a 2023 contest, although Ghost won the original while Zombies prevailed in the repeat.
Results depend on more than individual match wins. Team popularity, Splatfest Battle victories, Tricolor Battle results, and collected Conch Shells all contribute. Since repeated themes can produce different outcomes, returning players have another opportunity to see whether the competitive balance changes.
What to Watch Next
Players should be able to select a team around October 23, approximately one week before the Splatfest begins. Choosing early matters because team members can collect Conch Shells during the Sneak Peek period, helping their side’s score before the main competition starts.
The event also arrives while the wider Splatoon franchise remains active. Splatoon 3 continues to draw players on the original Nintendo Switch, while Nintendo Switch 2 owners have been exploring Splatoon Raiders. Although Splatoon 4 has not been announced, recurring events such as this one continue to sustain interest in the series.
Key details for players
- Choose between Team Wizard, Team Knight, and Team Ninja.
- The event starts October 30 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
- The Splatfest ends November 1 at 2:59 p.m. PT.
- Check in around October 23 to choose a team and begin collecting Conch Shells.
- Expect Halloween decorations, special Deep Cut outfits, and a spooky Anarchy Rainbow remix.
Expert View
This Splatfest is less important as a sign of new content than as evidence that Splatoon 3 still has a dependable community rhythm. Reusing a proven Halloween theme limits its novelty, but the three-team format, seasonal presentation, and possibility of a different result give returning players a clear reason to participate. For Nintendo, that kind of repeatable engagement helps keep Splatoon visible even as attention begins shifting toward newer franchise experiences.
