Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ new update adds garden shop, expanded museum, Nature Day event, and more

This morning Nintendo made a surprise announcement revealing a new Animal Crossing: New Horizons update that arrives this Thursday, April 23, which introduces new merchants, an expanded museum, the Nature Day seasonal event, and much more.

Players will be pleased to see two familiar faces from past Animal Crossing games regularly hocking their wares around the island: Leif and Redd. Sloths may have green tinged moss fill fur, but Leif also has a green thumb as you’ll come to find out when you visit his traveling garden shop where you can buy new seedlings and shrubs. Redd on the other hand is continuing with his not so legitimate business practice of selling art that may or may not be authentic.

Nintendo had this to say on Redd’s newest enterprise:

After downloading the free update, Jolly Redd will occasionally show up in his boat to sell in-game art, as well as furniture with unique colors. Like in previous Animal Crossing games, players will have to figure out which art pieces are real and which are fake. After purchasing genuine art, players can donate it to the island museum to open an art gallery, which will display all types of donated pieces, from paintings to sculptures.

There’s also four new upcoming events confirmed for Animal Crossing: New Horizons:

• Nature Day (April 23rd–May 4th): During the Nature Day period, special Nook Miles challenges will be available that focus on nature-inspired goals, such as planting trees and watering flowers.
• May Day Tour (May 1-7) – In the first week of May, players can use a one-time May Day Ticket at the island airport to head out on a limited-time tour to an island that looks different than the usual mystery island tours. A special visitor who looks familiar might also be there…
• International Museum Day (May 18-31) – To celebrate International Museum Day, players can take part in a Stamp Rally. After receiving a special stamp card, players can enjoy viewing fish, insects and fossils while collecting stamps at the various museum exhibits to earn an in-game reward.
• Wedding Season (June 1-30) – During a nuptial-themed June, players can visit Harvey’s island to meet the married couple Reese and Cyrus, as well as help arrange and take anniversary photos with them in the wedding-picture studio. Players will get wedding-themed items as a token of their gratitude.

And don’t forget about the museum! The update will allow players to expand their museum to include an art gallery which you can fill up with the help of your ole pal Redd.

Are you excited for the new update? Let us know what your favorite new addition to the game is down in the comments or hit me up on Twitter and we’ll discuss it there.