Highlights

  • Grand Theft Auto Online continues to receive consistent updates and new content to keep players engaged and maintain its popularity.
  • The latest holiday update brings back snow, festive game modes, and new gear, including the Snowball Launcher and a Yeti Outfit.
  • Players can unlock free gifts and participate in fan-favorite events, such as destroying snowmen and fighting The Gooch, during the Holiday Celebrations event.

The latest update for Grand Theft Auto Online ushers in the holiday spirit into the popular open world title, bringing back snow, festive game modes, new gear, and much more. Following its release ten years ago on the PS3 and Xbox 360, Rockstar has continued to keep the game updated with consistent releases of new content, whether that be with smaller patches or through adding some of the bigger things like new heists, game modes, and story content like the Dr. Dre expansion known as The Contract. Thanks to this consistency, GTA: Online continues to be incredibly popular with the base GTA5 continuing to set sales milestones.

Similar to most live service games, Rockstar typically releases new updates around specific holidays, such as the Valentine's Day Massacre Special, Halloween Surprise, and Independence Day Special. Each one typically adds themed content to the game from outfits, cars, and even guns, with some of these events even adding new game modes. Almost to the day, Rockstar has released the latest Holiday update for Grand Theft Auto Online, filled with new rewards, gear, and things to do.

As the Holiday Celebrations officially kick off in Grand Theft Auto Online, Rockstar has ensured that all players have plenty to do over the next few weeks thanks to a lengthy blog post. The biggest change to the open world is the return of snow, which also means the return of the Snowball Launcher and a unique game mode that offers 2x GTA$ and RP from now through January 3. If that wasn't enough, players can earn a new Yeti Outfit for their character by locating and investigating five clues, ultimately leading to a battle with the mythical cryptid.

Free GTA Online Gifts and Release Dates

From December 21 - 27, players can simply log in to unlock the following gear:

  • Snowball Launcher
  • Green Xmas Tree Hat
  • White Xmas Reindeer Hat
  • Candy Cane Weapon
  • Green Reindeer Beer Hat

The following week starting on December 28 and running through January 3, logging in will unlock the following:

  • New Year's Hats (Silver, Gold, Bronze)
  • New Year's Glasses (Silver, Gold, Bronze)

In addition to free stuff, the Holiday Update also brings back some fan favorite events, such as destroying snowmen, fighting the "infamous Christmas-ruining mugger" known as The Gooch, and taking part in the Die Hard inspired Weazel Plaza Shootout. Players can also score rewards for taking part, such as the Snowman Outfit, Gooch Outfit, and the WM 29 pistol. There's also plenty more happening during the Holiday Celebrations event, including car and Gun Van discounts, special rewards for GTA+ members, and more.

This year could see an influx of new players, thanks to a recent spike of sales attributed to the debut of Grand Theft Auto 6. Following the official trailer release date announcement back in November, the GTA series lifetime sales has continued to grow at a steady rate, with the entire series now sitting at a whopping 410 million in lifetime sales as of a few months ago.