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Red Festival 2956 Has Arrived in the 'Verse
The Year of the Rat is upon us, Citizen! Red Festival 2956, Star Citizen's annual Lunar New Year celebration, is officially live from February 17 to March 3, 2026. Whether you're a seasoned pilot or a newcomer arriving via the ongoing Free Fly event, there's plenty to explore — from the beloved red envelope hunt across Stanton's landing zones to exclusive Auspicious Red ship paints and a free commemorative Year of the Rat coin.
Red Festival is one of the most atmospheric events in Star Citizen, blending real-world Lunar New Year traditions with the game's expansive lore. As the Year of the Rat begins for 2956, Humans and Banu alike unite to celebrate this symbol of intelligence, resourcefulness, and keen foresight — qualities every pilot in the 'verse should aspire to.
Event Dates and Key Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Red Festival 2956 (Lunar New Year) |
| Dates | February 17 — March 3, 2026 |
| Theme | Year of the Rat |
| Free Fly (overlap) | February 12 — 23 (Coramor event) |
| Referral Bonus | February 11 — 23 |
| Official Source | RSI Comm-Link |
Red Festival overlaps with the tail end of Coramor 2956, Star Citizen's Valentine's Day event. This means you can enjoy both celebrations simultaneously — double the rewards, double the festivities.
Free Items — What You Get Just for Logging In
CIG is giving away several free rewards during Red Festival 2956. Here's what you can claim:
| Item | How to Get It |
|---|---|
| Year of the Rat Envelope | Auto-distributed to your hangar when you log in during the event |
| Envelopes Display Stand | Granted after the event to players who don't already have one from a previous year |
| Year of the Rat Challenge Coin | Claim on the Red Festival promo page (click Redeem) |
⚠️ Known bug: The coin claim button does not currently work on Firefox or Safari. Use Chrome or Edge to redeem your coin successfully. This issue is tracked as Issue Council RSI-962.
Red Envelope Hunt — Earn aUEC Across Stanton
One of the most beloved Red Festival traditions returns: the gilded red envelope hunt. Rat-adorned red envelopes are hidden throughout Stanton's major landing zones. Find them and return to Kel-To shops and ADMIN terminals to exchange them for aUEC.
This is a fantastic activity for new and veteran players alike. Exploring landing zones on foot is a relaxing change of pace from dogfighting and cargo hauling, and the extra credits are always welcome. Keep a sharp eye — some envelopes are cleverly tucked away in quiet corners.
- Where to search: All major landing zones in Stanton (New Babbage, Lorville, Area 18, Orison)
- What to find: Rat-adorned red envelopes with gilded designs
- Where to redeem: Kel-To shops and ADMIN terminals
- Reward: aUEC credits to start your year on a prosperous path
Looking to upgrade your fleet while hunting envelopes? Check out the latest ships available on our showroom — secure escrow, fast delivery, and PayPal accepted.
Auspicious Red Rat Ship Paints
Red Festival's signature aesthetic is back with stunning red and gold ship paints. This year's collection features both Year of the Rat emblem paints and classic sans-emblem variants. These are limited-time purchases — once the event ends on March 3, they're gone until next year.
A positive change this year: cosmetic items are available for purchase separately rather than bundled into expensive packs. This means you can pick and choose exactly which paints you want for your ships, making it much more accessible for Citizens on a budget.
Auspicious Vehicles on Sale — 15+ Ships Available
Red Festival brings a curated selection of 15+ ships and vehicles available for purchase or upgrade, including a Special Upgrade Offer on the Anvil Carrack. Here are the featured vehicles:
| Vehicle | Manufacturer | Value (USD) | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100i | Origin Jumpworks | $50 | Starter / Touring |
| 400i | Origin Jumpworks | $250 | Exploration / Touring |
| 600i Touring | Origin Jumpworks | $435 | Exploration / Touring |
| ATLS | Argo Astronautics | $40 | Ground / Industrial |
| C8X Pisces Expedition | Anvil Aerospace | $45 | Exploration / Expedition |
| Carrack ⭐ | Anvil Aerospace | $600 | Exploration / Expedition |
| Constellation Andromeda | RSI | $240 | Multi / Medium Freight |
| Cutlass Black | Drake Interplanetary | $110 | Multi / Medium Freight |
| Cutter | Drake Interplanetary | $45 | Transport / Starter |
| F8C Lightning | Anvil Aerospace | $300 | Combat / Heavy Fighter |
| Fortune | MISC | $175 | Industrial / Salvage |
| Nomad | Consolidated Outland | $80 | Multi / Starter |
| Pulse | Mirai | $30 | Ground / Combat |
| Sabre | Aegis Dynamics | $175 | Combat / Stealth Fighter |
| X1 | Origin Jumpworks | $45 | Exploration / Touring |
The Anvil Carrack stands out with a Special Upgrade Offer — if you've been eyeing this legendary expedition vessel, Red Festival is an excellent opportunity. The Carrack remains one of the most sought-after multi-crew ships in Star Citizen thanks to its versatility, built-in medbay, vehicle bay, and drone capabilities.
Earned Fortune — Screenshot Contest
Show off your Year of the Rat spirit! CIG is running the "Earned Fortune" screenshot contest on Spectrum. Execute creative maneuvers on foot or aboard your most agile vehicle for a chance to win incredible prizes:
- Mirai Pulse — A sleek ground combat vehicle ($30 value)
- Anvil F8C Lightning — The ultimate superiority fighter ($300 value)
Submit your entries through the Spectrum contest thread. Embody the spirit of the Rat — agility, cleverness, and speed. The more creative your screenshot, the better your chances!
Free Fly and Referral Bonus — Still Active
Red Festival overlaps with Coramor's Free Fly event, running until February 23. New players can jump into Star Citizen at no cost and test-fly these ships:
- Anvil Arrow — Nimble light fighter perfect for bounty missions
- RSI Salvation — Dependable medium freight workhorse
- Drake Golem — Heavy combat platform for serious firepower
- Argo Mole — Multi-crew mining ship for group operations
- Drake Cutlass Black — The 'verse's most versatile freighter-fighter
The referral bonus is also active until February 23:
- For the referrer: Free HoverQuad with Lovestruck paint
- For the recruit: Greycat Aril "Red Alert" armor set
Share your referral code with friends and enjoy the rewards. It's the perfect time to bring someone new into the 'verse!
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Red Festival 2956 start and end?Red Festival 2956 runs from February 17 to March 3, 2026. It overlaps with Coramor's Free Fly event (ending February 23), so early in the festival you get double the activities.How do I get the free Year of the Rat coin?Visit the Red Festival promo page and click the Redeem button. Important: Use Chrome or Edge — the button is currently broken on Firefox and Safari (Issue Council RSI-962).Where are the red envelopes hidden?Red envelopes are scattered across all major landing zones in Stanton: New Babbage, Lorville, Area 18, and Orison. Look carefully in shops, corridors, and public spaces. Redeem them at Kel-To shops and ADMIN terminals for aUEC.Are the Auspicious Red paints available permanently?No. Red Festival paints are limited-time only and will be removed from the store after March 3, 2026. If you want them, buy them before the event ends.Can I participate in Red Festival during Free Fly?Absolutely! Free Fly players can fully participate in the Red Festival — hunt envelopes, claim the coin, explore the sales, and enter the screenshot contest.Celebrate Red Festival with StarShipDealers
Whether you're expanding your fleet with Auspicious sale ships or hunting for the perfect CCU upgrade path, StarShipDealers is here to help:
- 🔒 Secure Escrow — Every transaction protected until delivery is confirmed
- 💳 PayPal Available — Pay securely with PayPal or credit card
- ⚡ Fast Delivery — Browse, buy, and receive your items within hours
Track all 2956 events and ship releases on our events calendar. Never miss an event again!
Clear skies and safe jumps, Citizen! 🚀