"A wondrous mood has spread all across the Nexus. The Heroes of the Storm are celebrating, and you are invited to join in the fun. The Lunar Festival combines all the things that make for a fantastic holiday: a chance to meet new people, to wear your most festive finery, to show off your flair by riding into battle on a new, themed mount, and to… chase Elder Monkeys bearing presents?"[1]
"Every year, the druids of Moonglade hold a celebration of their city's great triumph over an ancient evil. During the Lunar Festival, citizens of Azeroth have the opportunity to honor their elders by celebrating their sage wisdom, sharing in magnificent feasts, and (of course) shooting fireworks!"[2]
Yearly event[]
2015[]
The event was held between January 27 and the morning of March 3, 2015. All players who played 10 games during the event unlocked the special new Lunar Festival portrait. This included all matches played in any mode except for Custom Games. In addition, between 12:01 AM PST on February 18 to 11:59 PM PST on February 24, all players gained a 25% XP boost.[3]
2016[]
The event was held between February 2 and the morning of March 1, 2016. All players who played 25 games during the event unlocked the special new Monkey Elder portrait. This included all matches played in any mode except for Custom Games. In addition, during this event, a daily quest was available to catch the Monkey Elder, which had a 50% chance of spawning at the start of the game. If caught in time (by channeling him before he disappears), the player was awarded a Red Envelop containing 100 gold.[1]
2017[]
The event was held between January 24 and the morning of February 14, 2017. All players who completed the Rooster Race 25 times during the event unlocked the special new Lunar Rooster portrait and the Lunar Rooster mount. This included all matches played in any mode except for Custom Games. In addition, during this event, a daily quest was available to complete the Rooster Race, which had a 50% chance of spawning at the start of the game. If caught in time (by channeling him before he disappears), the player was awarded a Red Envelope containing 200 gold.[4]
2018[]
The event will be held between February 6 and the morning of March 5, 2018. Players will have to complete all four weekly quests in order to earn all of the rewards for this event. The first week requires players to complete two games to earn the Cute Lunar Skyrocket Spray. The second week required players to complete five more games to earn the Lunar Warcrest banner. The third week requires players to complete eight more games to earn the Cute Lunar Guardian Portrait. The fourth week requires players to complete ten more games to earn the Lunar Skyrocket Mount.[5]
Skins[]
2015 Lunar Festival Skins
Lunar Chen
Backstory:The loremasters say that coins are a symbol of fortune and luck. During the Lunar Festival, elders hand out Coins of Ancestry to those who seek them out and pay their respects.
Features: Themed abilities.
350 / 400
350 / 400 Verdant
350 / 400 Azure
Lunar Li Li
Backstory:Each new year brings with it untold promise. It is a joyous time when we honor those who came before us, while celebrating the endless possibilities ahead of us.
Features: Themed abilities.
350 / 400
350 / 400 Sweet
350 / 400 Eclipse
2016 Lunar Festival Skins
Lunar Illidan
Backstory:For most of the year, Illidan loathes druidic customs. But during the Lunar Festival, even he sets aside old grudges and joins his brother in honoring the departed elders of the Stormrage family.
Features: Themed abilities.
350 / 400
350 / 400 Heavenly
350 / 400 Fire
350 / 400 Dragon
Lunar Jaina
Backstory:In recent years, all of Azeroth has celebrated the yearly Lunar Festival in honor of their elders. Jaina is no exception. In times when the future is uncertain, it's important to honor the past.
Features: Themed abilities.
350 / 400
350 / 400 Eclipse
350 / 400 Photon
350 / 400 Jade
2017 Lunar Festival Skins
Lunar Li-Ming
Backstory:To Li-Ming, the Lunar Festival of the Nexus was not so dissimilar from those of her homeland, Xiansai. Donning her favored finery, she joined in celebration with a nostalgic joy.
Features: Themed abilities.
350 / 400
350 / 400 Jade
350 / 400 Amber
350 / 400 Imperial
350 / 400 Heavenly
350 / 400 Blossom
Monkey King Samuro
Backstory:The Legend of the Monkey King has spread wide, across both earthly and heavenly realms alike. It is no wonder his incredible fighting spirit was drawn to the conflicted lands of the Nexus.
Notes: This skin is not a exclusive skin to the Lunar Festival, it was only released during this event.
750 / 1,600
750 / 1,600 Jade
750 / 1,600 Super
750 / 1,600 Midnight
750 / 1,600 Genius
750 / 1,600 Golden
2018 Lunar Festival Skins
Sinlord Azmodan
Backstory:The Demon Lord Azmodan is no stranger to opulence and grandeur. In fact, greed and pride are among his favorite sins.
120 / 75 Lunar
Genji
Backstory:Once the carefree youngest scion of the Shimada clan, Genji was cut down by his own brother for refusing to take part in their illegal ventures. Grafted into a cyborg body by Overwatch, Genji walks his own path as one who fights for what's right.
120 / 75 Lunar
Lunar Cassia
Backstory:Though Cassia was skeptical of the Nexus's Lunar Festival at first, the act of honoring ancient gods and elders rings true to her Askari roots. She now gladly takes part in the festivities.
120 / 75
120 / 75 Azure
120 / 75 Jade
120 / 75 Midnight
120 / 75 Honored
Lunar Zul'jin
Backstory:For Azeroth's trolls, the loa are a central part of the Lunar Festival. Shadow hunters celebrate the powerful spirits by crafting elaborate masks in their likenesses.
120 / 75
120 / 75 Ancestral
120 / 75 Cruel
120 / 75 Jade
120 / 75 Ornamented
Lunar Kael'thas
Backstory:As prince of the sin'dorei, Kael'thas presides over all Lunar Festival ceremonies throughout Silvermoon City. It is imperative that his finery match his station.
Features: Themed animations, themed abilities.
350 / 400
350 / 400 Jade
350 / 400 Heavenly
Lunar Sylvanas
Backstory:Much has changed for Quel'Thalas over the centuries, but the Windrunner family has never stopped honoring their elders during the Lunar Festival.
Backstory:The Lunar Festival is a celebration of Azeroth's triumph over the Burning Legion millennia ago. It is a time to remember the valor and wisdom of ages gone by.
350 / 400
350 / 400 Harvest
350 / 400 Eclipse
2016 Lunar Festival Mounts
Lunar Dragon
Backstory:Among the most iconic images of the Lunar Festival is the Lunar Dragon. Its fierce appearance is said to ward off evil spirits... and perhaps some weaker foes within the Nexus.
350 / 400
350 / 400 Azure
350 / 400 Verdant
2017 Lunar Festival Mounts
Golden Lunar Rooster
Backstory:The Golden Lunar Rooster loves to preen its bright and shining feathers. Irresistibly attracted to sparkly things, it constantly adds all the gold it can find to its pristine plumage.
10,000
Lunar Rooster
Backstory:The Lunar Rooster's tastes are ephemeral, and even gaining its blessing can take a lot of effort. But its loyalty? That can only be won through victory.
Notes: This mount could be unlocked after completing 25 times the Rooster Race during the 2017 Lunar Festival.
350 / 400
2018 Lunar Festival Mounts
Golden Lunar Skyrocket
Backstory:There are many ways to celebrate the Lunar Festival. Food, gifts, ceremonies... and strapping saddles onto dangerously fast fireworks.
10,000
Lunar Skyrocket
Backstory:There are many ways to celebrate the Lunar Festival. Food, gifts, ceremonies... and strapping saddles onto dangerously fast fireworks.
Notes: This mount can be unlocked after playing 25 games during the 2018 Lunar Festival.
350 / 400
Lunar Guardian
Backstory:Carved from a single block of stone, the Lunar Guardians of the Nexus are rumored to come to life when in the presence of powerful warriors, eager to befriend and assist them.