Lesser Known Warcraft Holidays
I’ve compiled a small list of many, if not all, of WoW’s non-calendar holidays below.
Rain Dance (Night Elf, RPG) The Rain Dance, as it’s known in common, is one of the largest festivals the night elves hold. Although details of the celebration are somewhat vague, it involves dancing in heavy rain [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 11].
Remembrance Day (Human) Remembrance Day is a yearly memorial celebration that commemorates the heroes of humanity. While typically celebrated by humans, this holiday can bring in large numbers of pilgrims and other races from afar. As part of the festivities, civilians buy flags and streamers to wave in the air while children dress up as their favorite heroes. Remembrance Day officially ends with a spectacular magic fireworks display and the Honor Ceremony, during which the King of Stormwind formally gives a speech in the Valley of Heroes. The king is also accompanied during the ceremony by an Honor Delegation made up of a selection of human nobles and politicians from a variety of kingdoms across Azeroth. Jaina Proudmoore, who was the leader of Theramore at the time, was selected to be on the Honor Delegation on the Remembrance Day immediately following the Cataclysm. It is customary to greet one by saying, “Remember well” on Remembrance Day [Short Story: Blood of Our Fathers]. A more universally practiced version of this holiday could be Harvest Festival, in which members of both the Horde and Alliance honor the memory of fallen heroes [Page: Harvest Festival].
Feast of Scribes (Human) Very little is known about the practices of this holiday, assuming it even is a holiday in the first place, but it does appear to be a significant event for the mages of Dalaran in some way [The Last Guardian, Chapter Nine].
Festival of the Lake (Human, RPG) The residents of Lakeshire celebrate Festival of the Lake twice a year, once in midsummer and once in midwinter. During the summertime, the town’s inhabitants go swimming and fishing, while in the winter they ice fish, skate, and partake in hot wine [RPG: Lands of Conflict, pg. 51].
Hordefall (Human, RPG) The people of both Hillsbrad and Kul Tiras, among others, are known to celebrate Hordefall, a holiday that marks the end of the Second War. During Hordefall, locals usually engage in singing, drinking, and incinerating small orc dolls as a way of celebrating their triumph against the orcish Horde many years prior [RPG: Lands of Conflict, pg. 97, 101].
Planting & Hunting Festivals (Human, RPG) The denizens of Elwynn Forest throw rather large celebrations when they plant and harvest crops. In fact, most of the region’s holidays are organized around the planting calendar [RPG: Lands of Conflict, pg. 48].
Kosh’harg Festival (Orc) The Kosh’harg Festival, which first began somewhere between 600 and 800 years ago, is a biannual gathering in Nagrand that all orcs, both young and old, attend [Rise of the Horde, Page: Kosh’harg]. This festival has come to be known as the time when the disparate orc clans meet, put aside their rivalries with each other, and engage in friendship and revelry [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume II, pg. 44]. The Kosh’harg is also when orc clans convene and discuss issues facing all of orckind. Very few Krosh’hargs have passed without the mention of one problem or another [World of Warcraft, Chronicle Volume II, pg. 57, 69].
The disparate tauren tribes celebrate three significant celebrations annually: Dance of the Earth Mother, Renewal of the Sun, and Kodo Drum Circle.
Dance of the Earth Mother (Tauren, RPG) During this holiday, which occurs at the start of every season, the tauren burn scented grass and herbs to help the Earth Mother ease into her new form. At this time, the tauren also consume what remains of the previous seasons’ food to usher in the new season [RPG: Horde Player’s Guide, pg. 149].
Renewal of the Sun (Tauren, RPG) Renewal of the Sun, which is held at the height of summer, celebrates the never-ending sun cycle. This holiday is considered auspicious for fresh starts and new possibilities, motivating many tauren to initiate change in their lives over the following year. During this festival, all tauren dress in shades of red and orange and even eat similarly hued foods [RPG: Horde Player’s Guide, pg. 149].
Kodo Drum Circle (Tauren, RPG) The Kodo Drum Circle pays homage to animals that the tauren have sacrificed in the last year. The tauren form a continuous drum circle that lasts a whole day and night. If the drum circle breaks before the end of the festival, it is considered a dire omen. The tauren drum to honor the animals they have slain and ask the blessing of living animals that will give their lives for the tribe in the coming year [RPG: Horde Player’s Guide, pg. 149].
Rukhmar’s Grace (Arakkoa) Rukhmar’s Grace takes place during the time of year when the days are long and the sun is at its highest. At this time, all Arakkoa adherents are required to attend ceremonies and perform rites [Short Story: Apocrypha].
Veneration of Golganneth (Sea Giants, RPG) Azeroth’s sea giants pay homage to the titan Golganneth several times a year by holding small ceremonies in his honor [RPG: Shadows & Light, pg. 117]. Among other things, the sea giants craft musical horns and feed fish as a way to celebrate.