Quick answer: Fortnite Lantern Fest 2026 begins on February 19, 2026, bringing a brand-new Lantern Fest Reload map, 8-player team mode for Reload, a new skin, and free rewards tied to event challenges.
Fortnite's Lantern Fest is the game's annual in-game celebration of Ramadan, and this year's edition is shaping up to be the largest yet. Epic Games has folded the event into the broader Love and Legends roadmap that has been running throughout February as part of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1. Lantern Fest content is expected to remain active through the first week of March.
Lantern Fest 2026 Start Date
Lantern Fest launches on February 19, 2026. The timing aligns with the lunar calendar for Ramadan, as it has in previous years. Epic confirmed the date through its official Love and Legends roadmap, which also pegs February 19 as the day the DeLorean time machine returns to the game.
New Reload Map and 8-Player Teams
The biggest gameplay addition is a dedicated Lantern Fest map for Fortnite Reload. This map joins the existing rotation alongside Oasis, Surf City, and Venture, and is designed around fast-paced combat with cultural visual elements tied to the celebration.
Alongside the new map, Epic is introducing an 8-player team mode for Reload, internally codenamed "Moon Lime." This is a significant jump from the standard squad sizes and will be available in both Ranked and Unranked playlists. A few important details about how the mode works:
- Both Build and Zero Build options are supported.
- Matchmaking allows parties of up to 5 players, with at least 3 random teammates filling out the roster.
- Fill is forced on — the option to disable it is hidden.
- Custom match codes are disabled, so private 8-player lobbies are not possible for now.
Lantern Fest quests will be completable in both Ranked and Unranked versions of the mode, so you won't need to choose between event progress and competitive play.
Lantern Fest Skins and Item Shop Cosmetics
Epic has teased a brand-new skin for this year's Lantern Fest, though specific details about the outfit remain under wraps. Previous iterations of the event have featured skins like Anwar and Noorah, both adorned with intricate lunar patterns, and these are expected to return to the Item Shop during the event window.
Whether the new skin will be a free reward or an Item Shop purchase has not been officially confirmed. There is a possibility it could be earnable through a Lantern Fest Cup, which would follow the pattern Epic has used for other seasonal tournament rewards. The Lantern Fest Tour Creative map may also make a comeback as an additional piece of event content.
Free Rewards and Event Challenges
Players can expect free cosmetics tied to Lantern Fest challenges, though the specific reward list has not been detailed yet. This fits Epic's standard approach to cultural events — Winterfest and the ongoing Love and Legends event both offer free items through daily logins and quest completion.
The Love and Legends event itself is still running concurrently and offers its own free rewards. The Sweetest Shot loading screen requires 10 daily logins by February 19, and the Heartie Back Bling requires collecting 250 Candy Hearts in team modes by February 23. Lantern Fest rewards will likely operate on a separate track.
What Else Is Happening on February 19
The Love and Legends roadmap packs several updates into the same date. The DeLorean from Back to the Future is being unvaulted on February 19, returning the time machine vehicle to the island. This coincidence means Lantern Fest week will be one of the busiest content drops of the season.
Looking slightly further ahead, February 21 brings another Battle Royale Power Hour, and February 23 marks the return of The Seven, along with a new item — a significant lore beat as Chapter 7 Season 1 winds down toward the season change in early March.
Lantern Fest 2026 Roadmap Summary
| Date | Lantern Fest Content |
|---|---|
| February 19 | Lantern Fest begins, new Reload map, 8-player Reload teams, DeLorean returns |
| Late February – early March | Item Shop skins (new + returning), Lantern Fest challenges and free rewards |
| TBD | Possible Lantern Fest Cup with free skin reward |
Lantern Fest 2026 represents a clear escalation from previous years. The addition of 8-player Reload teams alone changes the dynamic of the mode considerably, and a purpose-built map gives the event a distinct identity beyond cosmetic rotations. With Chapter 7 Season 2 arriving in early March, this is likely the last major content push before the seasonal transition.