ROM Hack NOOB FRIENDLY Guide: AC:NH Easter Event manual unlock.

vree · Apr 3, 2020

REMARK: This guide is for use with real hardware (a switch), not emulation on PC.
(31-10-2021) BCAT file needed for Halloween 2021. Should say 1.11.1a when BCAT is imported correctly.

WHERE TO GET THE LATEST BCAT FILES?
https://github.com/agronomru/ACNH-BCATs/releases
Download the latest "BCAT_Events_vXXX.zip" file and extract it.
P.S.: The latest BCAT file always includes all previous events!

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO ACTIVATE EVENTS (import BCAT files):

THIS WORKS ON ALL GAME REGIONS AND ALL SWITCHES.
Update Animal Crossing to the latest version available, as of updating this guide it's currently: check latest version number here
Download JKSV.nro and put it in the folder named "switch" that is already on the root of your SD card. https://github.com/J-D-K/JKSV/releases. We will be using this tool/homebrew to add the events and to backup your savefile if you want.
Optional But Recommended: Backup your animal crossing save just in case you mess anything up. To Backup your Animal Crossing Save Open JKSV from the homebrew menu Enter the "Device" folder and then select animal crossing. Go to "New" and then press A to backup. Then name your backup. If for any reason you need to restore this save backup Enter the "Device" folder and then select animal crossing. Select the name of the file you made when you backed it up and then press Y to Restore. Some people have reported you may have to hold L & R when trying to create or restore backups. This was not the case for me but some people may need to do it, no idea why.
Open JKSV from the homebrew menu and make a backup of your BCAT file for animal crossing, To backup your "BCAT" Enter the "BCAT" folder (NOT the "Device" folder!!!) and then select animal crossing. Go to "New" and then press A to backup. Then name your backup. Some people have reported you may have to hold L & R when trying to create or restore backups. This was not the case for me but some people may need to do it, no idea why.
Go to your computer and insert your SD card, Open the JKSV folder on the root of your SD card, then open the Animal Crossing New Horizons folder and then open the folder you named when you backed up your BCAT. You should at least see a file called passphrase.bin in there.
Download the latest BCATs.zip file and extract it: https://github.com/agronomru/ACNH-BCATs/releases. These will trigger the events. The latest zip will include all previous event files.
Take the "directories" folder from the file you downloaded in step 7 and drop that in your BCAT backup folder (confirm overwrite if needed). Your BCAT backup should now have only the folder called "directories" and the file "passphrase.bin" in it. If not delete any other files in there except those 2.
Go back to your switch and restore your BCAT with JKSV. To restore your "BCAT" enter the "BCAT" folder (NOT the "Device" folder!!!) and then select animal crossing. Select the name of the file you made when you backed it up and then press Y to Restore. DO NOT RESTORE YOUR BCAT IN "DEVICE" THIS WILL ERASE YOUR SAVE DATA. MAKE SURE YOUR IN "BCAT" WHEN YOU RESTORE IT.
When you launch the game you should now have the events active
- Eastern/Bunny event (April 1 - April 12):
  - The game should say 1.1.1a or 1.1.2a, unless you already updated to version 1.2.1 then the only way to confirm if it's active is to actually check the event ingame.
- Nature day/Earth day (April 23 - May 4):
  - The game should say 1.2.0. (or 1.2.1 if you updated further). There are NO BCAT files needed for this one. Just the 1.2.0 update is enough.
- May Day Tour (May 1 - 7):
  - The game should say 1.2.1a after updating/inserting the BCAT.
- International Museum Day (May 18 - 31):
  - The game should say 1.2.1b after updating/inserting the BCAT.
- Wedding Season (June 1 - 30):
  - The game should say 1.2.1c after updating/inserting the BCAT.
- Toy Day Christmas Eve Event (December 24th):
  - The game should say 1.6.0c after updating/inserting the BCAT.
- Carnival (Februari 15th):
  - The game should say 1.7.0a after updating/inserting the BCAT.
- Mario Items (March 1 - ∞ )
  - The game should say 1.8.0a after updating/inserting the BCAT.
  Halloween 2021
  - The game should say 1.11.0a/1.11.1a after updating/inserting the BCAT.
  PS: These events stack! So if you get a BCAT file with every event in it you will only see the latest version number + letter.
- PS: The letters at the end don't always show up on the latest game versions. So if you installed all the BCAT files for the previous events you just need to time warp to check if they work or not.

You DO NOT need to follow any steps below if it is working. You're Done.
FOR ANYONE WHO GOT THE CORRECT VERSION NUMBER (see step10), BUT WHOSE EVENTS ARE NOT WORKING: Simply set your switch clock one day further, enter your game. Close out of the game. Set your clock back to the present date - your events should now be working.

PS: You will NOT have to redo this if you update your game afterwards.

I IMPORTED THE BCAT FILE, BUT IT DOESN'T WORK, NO LETTER AT THE END OF THE VERSION NUMBER ON MY AC HOMESCREEN. WHAT DO I DO NOW!!!???
A general rule for everyone out there having issues and are sure they imported the BCAT files correctly:
1) Make sure your switch time is set to sync with the servers. Even if you don't have it connected.
2) Make sure your switch time is at a moment when the event takes place!!! TRIPLE CHECK THIS!!!
3) If needed use "switchtime" homebrew app to set the time and fake it as being synced with the Nintendo servers.
=> Read further for detailed instructions.

(01-29-2021) FIX FOR PEOPLE WHERE VERSION LETTER DOESN'T SHOW UP AFTER FOLLOWING THE "GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO ACTIVATE EVENTS" ABOVE (so after updating the BCAT) :

A. Go to switch settings and set the clock to sync with "Network Time" automatically => System =>Date/Time.
It doesn't matter you are not connected to the Internet. And it doesn't matter the time is wrong. Just set it to that option.
B. Download "switch-time" put it on your switch and launch it: https://github.com/3096/switch-time/releases. Press "A".. to confirm.
C. Connection to the internet is NOT necessary. Time set is NOT necessary, just make sure it's within the event window, so change it if needed.
D. This sets a flag that the BCAT checks for.
E. If you imported BCAT properly launching the game will show the latest version and letter.
=> See instructions above that you already should have done before following this possible fix...
=> Your imported BCAT should ONLY have the folder called "directories" and the file "passphrase.bin" in it. NOTHING ELSE, DELETE EVERYTHING ELSE IF NEEDED.

ALTERNATIVE FIX IF THE ABOVE ONE DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU (Provided by user: ChunkyRabbit)

THIS IS A HASSLE AND CAN BE DANGEROUS IF YOU DON'T USE A FAT32 FORMATTED SD-CARD, SO ONLY TRY THIS IF THE FIRST METHOD DIDN'T WORK FOR YOU. DON'T USE THIS IF YOUR SD-CARD IS NTFS FORMATTED!!!
AGAIN THE FIRST METHOD SHOULD WORK, IF NOT YOU DID SOMETHING WRONG!!!
THIS METHOD NEEDS INTERNET ACCESS. IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT YOU ARE BANNED OR IF YOU BLOCKED THE NINTENDO SERVERS WITH DNS/IP.
Download and put "Tesla - The Nintendo Switch Overlay Menu" homebrew on your switch: https://gbatemp.net/threads/tesla-the-nintendo-switch-overlay-menu.557362/
Download an put this on your switch: https://github.com/nedex/QuickNTP/releases
- Copy the .ovl file in /switch/.overlays/
Launch the game Animal Crossing.
- Start the Tesla overlay
- Select QuickNTP from the menu
Use this Tesla overlay module to sync the time for you. After syncing with the servers AND restarting AC. The AC game version number should change/update and the ingame events should work.

FIX FOR MAC USERS:

If anyone is on a Mac and the event is still not working after fixing the switch clock then you should try either using Windows or doing the following if Windows is not an option.

Once you have moved the files you downloaded into the BCAT folder on your SD card open up terminal on your mac and run this command:

sudo chflags -R arch /Volumes/SDCARD

The SDCARD part is the name of your card. So for example mine is called TXNAND so I would run:

sudo chflags -R arch /Volumes/TXNAND

It will then ask you to enter your computer password. Type it in and then press enter. It will look like its done nothing, there is no confirmation or anything. From there put the card back in your Switch and restore the BCAT. This is the same thing I have had to do when updating firmware while using a Mac. The Switch won't recognize the firmware files until I run this command. Thanks to liquid_kore for this Fix.

ANOTHER FIX FOR MAC USERS:

If the above steps did not work you can also try this fix. For those who usually use macs with their microSD card, after placing the directories folder into your BCAT folder, go to a Windows PC and do the steps here: "https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-fix-archive-bit-for-all-sd-files-and-folders.515258/" then put the micro sd card in your switch, go on jksv and restore the BCAT and there you go!

FIX FOR IF YOU CAN'T CONNECT TO ANOTHER SWITCH LOCALLY ANYMORE (LAN):

You probably installed "ldn_mitm" to play local games online and forgot about it. Or it installed automatically together with the latest atmosphere or SXOS. This blocks normal local play for ACNH. So the simple solution is to disable it:

Atmosphere:

Got to the "HB-menu" (open Album or hold R while opening a game)
Open the homebrew named "ldnmitm cfg"
Press Y to disable it.
Press B to exit.

SXOS:

Go to SX Menu then "options".
Disable "ldn_mitm".

OR delete it completely from your SD card:

Atmosphere:

atmosphere\contents\4200000000000010\flags\boot2.flag <= Delete this file.

switch\ldnmitm_config <= Delete this whole folder.

Reboot the switch if done with FTP or with a homebrew file manager. In short if you did this while the switch was on, reboot it!

For more info see here:

https://gbatemp.net/threads/ldn_mitm-play-local-wireless-supported-games-online.525512/

ALL EVENTS: WHEN THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY DO:

April 01 - April 12 (introduced in 2020): Eastern/Bunny Day (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.1.1a or 1.1.2a)
Hemisphere: North and South
What is it? Features a visit from Zipper T. Bunny.
Things to watch out for: Includes an Egg Hunt Challenge: Players need to find the six egg types which are located in trees, rivers, lakes, balloons, and rocks. New Egg-based DIY Recipes: such as archways, tables, stools, and more.
TL : DR: Event is 12 full days of collecting eggs and getting rewards. You need to visit the final day and have crafted every egg thing to get the final reward.
https://animalcrossingworld.com/gui...nt-how-to-get-eggs-all-easter-items-to-craft/

April 23 - May 4 (introduced in 2020): Nature/Earth Day (NO BCAT FLAG NEEDED, just install the base update 1.2.0 or 1.2.1)
Hemisphere: North and South
What is it? One of the originally confirmed Animal Crossing: New Horizons events is Earth Day, or as it's known now Nature Day. In real life, this event takes place on April 22, but in New Horizons this event runs from April 23 to May 4.
Things to watch out for: During this event, you'll be able to tick off special Nature Day themed Nook Miles challenges that are focused on nature-inspired goals, like planting trees and watering flowers.
No doubt it will also tie into the arrival of Lief's Garden Shop too. The nature-loving sloth will start visiting your island regularly to sell an assortment of foliage, and flower seeds too.
TL : DR: You unlock a flower salesman and if you do one task for Tom Nook you get a decorative item.
https://animalcrossingworld.com/gui...y-event-all-special-nook-miles-tasks-rewards/

May 1 - 7 (introduced in 2020): May Day Tour (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.2.1a)
Hemisphere: North and South
What is it? The first week of May is now known as the May Day Tour in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which will earn you a special May Day Ticket to use at the airport.
Things to watch out for: During this period, you'll be able to use a one-time use May Day Ticket at the airport to fly over to a special May Day island. There's a special visitor there, items to collect, and a maze to navigate by the looks of things too.
TL : DR: Event can be finished in half an hour. Go to Tom Nook get your special island ticket. Go to the island, solve a maze get a suitcase as a reward from an old familiar. You don't get any extra tickets, so it's not repeatable.
https://animalcrossingworld.com/gui...ze-walkthrough-rover-rewards-may-day-tickets/

May 18 - 31 (introduced in 2020): International Museum Day (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.2.1b)
Hemisphere: North and South
What is it? It might sound like a 24-hour event, but International Museum Day is a celebration of Blathers' museum that runs across almost two full weeks.
Things to watch out for: You'll receive a special Stamp Card that you can complete by viewing fish, insects and fossils at the museum. You'll get an in-game reward for completing them all.
Handily, the museum will have had an upgrade by then, with an art gallery added that you can fill with painting and sculptures. And yes, Redd is back too.
TL : DR: Event can be finished in half an hour. You go to the museum, collect stamps. Give them to Blathers (owl) and you get 3 plaques in return. You can replay this each day but the rewards will be the same.
https://animalcrossingworld.com/gui...-day-how-to-complete-stamp-rally-all-rewards/

June 1 - 30 (introduced in 2020): Wedding Season (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.2.1c)
Hemisphere: North and South
What is it? A whole month to celebrate weddings and nuptials in New Horizons.
Things to watch out for: Head over to Harvey's island in June to meet Reese and Cyrus, who are celebrating their wedding anniversary. Help them take photos to mark the occasion, and you'll get wedding-themed items as a reward.
https://animalcrossingworld.com/gui...t-heart-crystals-all-wedding-furniture-items/

October 31th (introduced in 2020): Halloween Night (NO BCAT FLAG NEEDED, just install the base update 1.5.0)
Halloween Night with Jack is a holiday on October 31st in Animal Crossing: New Horizons with trick or treating and plenty of spooky prizes to collect!
https://animalcrossingworld.com/guides/new-horizons/jacks-halloween-event-guide-rewards/

November 26th (introduced in 2020): Turkey Day Thanksgiving (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.6.0a)
Turkey Day with Franklin is an event in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) celebrating the American Thanksgiving holiday with recipes to cook and special prizes to collect!
https://animalcrossingworld.com/gui...-thanksgiving-event-guide-activities-rewards/

December 1 - ∞ (introduced in 2020): Winter items - Not a real event (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.6.0b)
Not a real event, just adds more winter items to collect.
https://animalcrossingworld.com/202...ings-winter-update-14-new-features-additions/

December 24th (introduced in 2020): Toy Day Christmas Eve Event (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.6.0c)
Toy Day with Jingle is an event in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) celebrating the Christmas Eve holiday on December 24th with gift giving activities and exclusive rewards!
https://animalcrossingworld.com/gui...event-guide-what-to-do-gift-exchange-rewards/

December 31th (introduced in 2020): New Year’s Eve Countdown (NO BCAT FLAG NEEDED, just install the base update 1.6.0)
The New Year’s Eve Countdown is a holiday event in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) held on December 31st celebrating the beginning of a brand new year with fun activities and exclusive items to unlock!
https://animalcrossingworld.com/gui...eve-countdown-event-guide-activities-rewards/

Februari 15th (introduced in 2021): Carnival (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.7.0a)
Festival will be added in the 1.7.0 free update in January. The player will collect special colored feathers and bring them to Pavé in exchange for furniture items in the Pave series.
In addition, there will be inspired clothing and furniture items for the event alongside 4 new reactions.
https://animalcrossingworld.com/202...date-mermaid-fence-festivale-reactions-beans/

March 1 - ∞ (introduced in 2021): Mario Items - Not a real event (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.8.0a)
Super Mario furniture and clothing are special promotional items in Animal Crossing: New Horizons to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the series! See all of the items and how to get them in this guide.
https://animalcrossingworld.com/gui...-set-furniture-clothing-item-list-how-to-get/

Halloween 2021 - (NEEDS BCAT FLAG => 1.11.0a/1.11.1a)
https://animalcrossingworld.com/guides/new-horizons/spooky-set-pumpkin-diy-crafting-recipes-how-to-get-them/

Shaddap · Apr 3, 2020

I'm not bothering because fuck that rabbit.

vree · Apr 3, 2020

Shaddap said:
I'm not bothering because fuck that rabbit.

Ok, but this guide can also help people backup their save and for use with future events.

LoggerMan · Apr 3, 2020

I heard the rabbit is more trouble than it is worth, but I'll need to learn this for the next event, and all other events potentially. I hate turning my Switch off though. And I hate learning new things, drives me crazy.

vree · Apr 3, 2020

LoggerMan said:
I heard the rabbit is more trouble than it is worth, but I'll need to learn this for the next event, and all other events potentially. I hate turning my Switch off though. And I hate learning new things, drives me crazy.

I can understand that. But if you have autoRCM it should never be a problem when you turn your switch off. Also if you use a ftp program or usb program you do not need to turn your switch off. I myself just turn it off and stick the sd in my pc. but the choice is yours.

But believe me if you do this once you will see how easy it is. The guide just looks long just to make everything crystal clear so people don't accidently destroy their own savefiles.

LightBeam · Apr 3, 2020

It's easy af tho, so I don't understand what you mean by "is more trouble than it's worth", it's just an event with new crafts and stuff. Nothing too crazy but still, it's easy to do so I don't see any reason to not do it if you have ACNH cracked. Just use FTP so you don't have to turn your console off, as the stuff you need to transfer is pretty light so you wouldn't spend too much time on that.

vree · Apr 3, 2020

LightBeam said:
It's easy af tho, so I don't understand what you mean by "is more trouble than it's worth", it's just an event with new crafts and stuff. Nothing too crazy but still, it's easy to do so I don't see any reason to not do it if you have ACNH cracked

This is aimed at people that are banned, not people that have a pirated copy. That would be against the rules...

But I agree it's quite easy.

LoggerMan · Apr 3, 2020

Also can't we just cheat the limited time egg items or whatever.

LightBeam · Apr 3, 2020

Yeah I understand but it's the same thing for both

vree · Apr 3, 2020

LoggerMan said:
Also can't we just cheat the limited time egg items or whatever.

Ofcourse that's possible, check the cheats topics.

But this guide is for people who want to experience the event and upcomming events. Unless a more streamlined homebrew app is made this will be the way to do it.

vree · Apr 6, 2020

Yes this works with 1.1.3

Chrushev · Apr 19, 2020

Its been a few weeks? I know the bunny event is over, but I think Earth day is next. So in preparation for that, I want to know if this is still the best way to unlock these? Or is there a more automated way to do it? (Like stuff we do in pokemon with Block edits?)

DestinyFeather · Apr 19, 2020

Chrushev said:
Or is there a more automated way to do it? (Like stuff we do in pokemon with Block edits?)

Before deciding if it's possible, we need before BCAT is applied and after BCAT is applied save files and to know how to do it manually. And preferably like two sets or something. ^^;;

Chrushev · Apr 22, 2020

Do we know if Earth Day will require online connection like Bunny day did?

macnemo79 · Apr 23, 2020

I have updated to 1.2.0 but I don't have Leaf in my town, most likely we will have to trigger the event again like easter

vree · Apr 23, 2020

macnemo79 said:
I have updated to 1.2.0 but I don't have Leaf in my town, most likely we will have to trigger the event again like easter

No it doesn't need to be triggered like the easter event.
I just updated the game and got him on my island. Running on firmware 9.1.0.

This is also logical, because the events starts right now. So people can't cheat the time to see it earlier. There is no point in making it check the realtime synced system clock.

So no fiddeling with files this time. For now.

Not sure for the rest of the event in the near future. Those might need it again, because of people possibly time warping. Someone can test this out immeditately if they want by time warping and see if the announced upcomming events trigger. I myself don't use timewarp.

macnemo79 · Apr 23, 2020

vree said:
No it doesn't need to be triggered like the easter event.
I just updated the game and got him on my island. Running on firmware 9.1.0.

But he is a visitor, just like red will be. So he doesn't have to be there the first day.

So no fiddeling with files this time. For now. Not sure for the rest of the event in the near future.

oh ok, could you please confirm that you are on 1.2.0 and not 1.2.0a please? Could you post an image? thanks

vree · Apr 23, 2020

Chrushev said:
Do we know if Earth Day will require online connection like Bunny day did?

It doesn't need it since the update came out the same day the event started. So there is no security check for the time needed. It might need it for future announced events.

macnemo79 said:
oh ok, could you please confirm that you are on 1.2.0 and not 1.2.0a please? Could you post an image? thanks

I'm on 1.2.0. There is no a...

I updated the post you quoted with detailed information why it's logical it isn't needed.

macnemo79 · Apr 23, 2020

I think I understand what happened.
I checked my town before updating and it had already Gulliver on the beach. And because you don't have more than 1 guest at the time Leaf didn't show up.

DestinyFeather · Apr 23, 2020

Chrushev said:
Do we know if Earth Day will require online connection like Bunny day did?

From the NHSE github it has all the BCAT flags for this update.
May Day, Bride Day, International Museum Day
All three are BCAT events and require BCAT flags from flag 001 to 004 which is different from easter's 000. So unfortunately these events won't run AT ALL on Emulators (Ryujinx, Yuzu) unless more save file research is done and all hacked switches must inject the BCAT flag as before with 3 new BCAT flags.

ROM Hack NOOB FRIENDLY Guide: AC:NH Easter Event manual unlock.

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