As the festive season approaches, many hobbyists may wonder: does Christmas—or something similar—exist in the grim darkness of the far future or the fantastical lands of the Warhammer Old World? While there isn’t a direct equivalent of Christmas in either setting, there are a few traditions and elements that bear some resemblance to the festive cheer (or grimdark reverence) we experience today.
The Old World: Festivals of Winter
In the Old World, the various realms and cultures celebrate a range of festivals tied to the seasons, many of which occur during the winter months. These celebrations often mark the turning of the year, the honoring of gods, or the survival of harsh winters.
The Empire: Much like the medieval European cultures it’s based on, the Empire is steeped in seasonal traditions. One such celebration is Mondstill, the winter solstice festival. Townsfolk gather to light fires, feast, and offer prayers to Sigmar and Ulric, the god of winter and wolves. Gifts are exchanged as tokens of goodwill, and the community comes together to weather the cold months ahead.
Dwarfs: Dwarfs are known for their grudges and their stoicism, but even they have moments of festivity. Winter celebrations often involve the recounting of heroic tales, feasting on hearty meals, and toasting with ale brewed from secret family recipes.
Chaos Tribes: On the darker side, Chaos-worshipping tribes may mark the season with sinister rituals, sacrifices, and unholy revelries to appease their gods. Any resemblance to cheerful festivities ends here.
Warhammer 40K: Faith in the Emperor
The grimdark universe of Warhammer 40K doesn’t leave much room for traditional festivities. The Imperium of Man is a dystopian society ruled by religion, duty, and constant warfare. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t parallels to Christmas.
Imperial Saints’ Days: In the Imperium, many planets and Hive Cities celebrate Saints’ Days—holy days dedicated to the memory of Imperial Saints or key events in the Emperor’s history. These occasions might involve processions, offerings, and rituals of devotion. On some worlds, citizens may exchange small tokens or perform acts of charity in honor of the Emperor’s benevolence.
Winter Feasts: On agri-worlds and more prosperous planets, winter feasts may be held to mark the changing of seasons or local harvest traditions. While far from festive in the conventional sense, these gatherings reflect humanity’s struggle to preserve culture amidst the harsh realities of the 41st millennium.
Orks’ Red Gobbo: On a lighter note, Ork enthusiasts might point to The Red Gobbo as their version of a festive mascot. This sneaky grot, dressed in red and armed with festive explosives, has become a fan-favorite nod to holiday cheer in the Warhammer community.
Themes of Giving and Survival
While Warhammer’s settings don’t feature Christmas outright, the themes of giving, survival, and coming together resonate in both the Old World and the 41st millennium. Whether it’s a Dwarf sharing ale with kin, an Imperial citizen lighting a candle for the Emperor, or a Space Marine honoring the legacy of their Chapter, the underlying values of unity and endurance shine through—even in the grimmest of worlds.
Bring the Festive Spirit to Your Tabletop
While the Warhammer universes may not officially celebrate Christmas, hobbyists can bring their own festive flair to their miniatures. Why not paint a squad of Space Marines in seasonal colors or create a winter-themed diorama for your Old World army? The possibilities are endless—and a great way to share the joy of the hobby during the holiday season.
And speaking of sharing, click here to check out our Faction of the Month: The Empire. With 20% off Empire miniatures, now’s the perfect time to expand your Old World collection and bring some festivity to your tabletop battles.
This is a non-profit article created solely for the Tabletop Gaming community, it is not intended to infringe upon any IP.
