Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Jump to:
  • Release time
  • Cold Snap quick guide
  • Cold Snap weather changes
  • Goalie Raider Deck
  • Flickering Flames event
  • Candleberry Banquet Project
Don't miss these
Arc Raiders raider player character with new stubble facial hair
Third Person Shooters Everything new in the Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky update
Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Everything in Arc Raiders' Escalation and 2026 Roadmap
Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky tease shows a weathervane in front of a cloudy background.
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders' February update gets a release date: Shrouded Sky launches early next week
Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders' next big update is out tomorrow, and we were all wrong about the new map condition
Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky bots Firefly and Arc on dark blue background
Third Person Shooters "A floating nightmare": Arc Raiders' big Shrouded Sky update has 2 new Arc, a big Dam Battlegrounds update, and more
Arc Raiders best weapons
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders "Toxic Swamp" map event coming next week according to new trials, suggesting Embark looked to FromSoftware
Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky update
Third Person Shooters It looks like Arc Raiders is finally adding beards in the Shrouded Sky update, plus a hurricane map condition
arc raiders toxic trail
Third Person Shooters Everything we know about Arc Raiders Toxic Swamps
Arc Raiders player sits in launch tube with a helmet
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap revealed: exclusive matchmaking for lvl 40+ players, "new large Arc," beach map teased
Arc Raiders Shared Watch event
Third Person Shooters All Arc Raiders Shared Watch event rewards and how to earn them
Arc Raiders characters with shotgun and revolver
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders' Headwinds update lands tomorrow, and theories we're getting 4-player squads aren't going well with everyone
Expeditions in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders Expeditions explained
Arc Raiders character using welding torch in thick glasses
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders' Shrouded Sky update arrives next week, but there will be "no major game update" this week to tide you over
Arc Raiders screenshots
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders will unleash Shredders on multiple maps in Flashpoint update coming next week
Arc Raiders Weather Monitor System project
Third Person Shooters All Arc Raiders Weather Monitor System project materials and rewards
  1. Games
  2. Third Person Shooters
  3. Arc Raiders

Everything in the Arc Raiders Cold Snap event and when it launches

Guides
By Leon Hurley last updated 15 December 2025

Here's when Cold Snap brings winter to Arc Raiders, with new risks, rewards and a seasonal warm glow

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Everything in the Arc Raiders Cold Snap event and when it launches
(Image credit: Embark)
Jump to:
  • Release time
  • Cold Snap quick guide
  • Cold Snap weather changes
  • Goalie Raider Deck
  • Flickering Flames event
  • Candleberry Banquet Project
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Arc Raiders Cold Snap is adding some seasonal winter with snow map changes, a new Frostbite survival mechanic, two limited time events to earn rewards from, and an all new Raider Deck full of gear to unlock as you play.

This is also when the Arc Raiders Expedition launches, finally giving you the ability to prestige and reset your progress in return for certain rewards and buffs. We've covered that in far more detail already, so check that guide for the specifics of how that all works and what stand to gain and lose.

Let's take a look below at what to expect and how to prepare in more detail, starting with the Cold Snap launch times:

You may like
  • Arc Raiders raider player character with new stubble facial hair Everything new in the Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky update
  • Arc Raiders Everything in Arc Raiders' Escalation and 2026 Roadmap
  • Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky tease shows a weathervane in front of a cloudy background. Arc Raiders' February update gets a release date: Shrouded Sky launches early next week

Arc Raiders Cold Snap release time

Cold Snap runs from Tuesday December 16 starting at 1:30am PST / 10:30am CET and runs until Tuesday January 13, ending at 1:30am PST / 10:30am CET.

Across all regions the Arc Raiders Cold Snap start time on Dec 16th looks like this:

  • PT - 1:30am
  • ET - 4.30am
  • CET - 10.30am
  • GMT - 9.30am

Arc Raiders Cold Snap quick guide

Here's a quick run down of everything in the Cold Snap update:

  • New snow maps - Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and The Blue Gate maps all get winter variant maps.
  • Frostbite - The new snowy climate introduces a frostbite mechanic where cold weather will drain your health.
  • Flickering Flames event and Candleberry Banquet project - Two new seasonal challenges with unique loot and rewards, based around finding Arc Raiders Candleberries.
  • Goalie Raider deck - A new raider deck arriving on December 26.
  • Expedition Project - An all new prestige mode where you can reset your progress in exchange for buffs, advantages, and rewards.

Arc Raiders Cold Snap weather changes

Arc Raiders Cold Snap weather changes

(Image credit: Embark)

The Cold Snap event in Arc Raiders introduces snow storms to the game world on specific maps. This new weather condition will reduce visibility, freeze over lakes, and generally make things far more dangerous to be out and exposed on the surface. Frost will build up and snow accumulate, changing maps visually and physically where these freezing temperatures hit them. It means you'll run a whole new gamut of risks when you venture out into Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and The Blue Gate.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

New Arc Raiders Goalie Raider Deck

New Arc Raiders Goalie Raider Deck

(Image credit: Embark)

There's an all new Raider Deck arriving in Cold Snap, free to anyone who’s bought the game. The new stuff arrives on Friday December 26 and brings a host for fresh rewards you can unlock, such as Raider tokens, cosmetic items, plus a new ice hokey inspired outfit and Raider tool.

Arc Raiders Cold Snap Flickering Flames event

Flickering Flames is a seasonal event that will let you unlock 25 levels of rewards in Arc Raiders during Cold Snap. That includes new gear customization options and Raider Tokens. The new rewards are all earned via Merits you will get from the XP you earn in a round. You'll need to play five rounds to activate this event.

Arc Raiders Cold Snap Candleberry Banquet Project

(Image credit: Embark)

Arc Raiders Cold Snap Candleberry Banquet Project

The Cold Snap Candleberry Banquet Project is another new Arc Raiders event that sees you looking for unique items and Candleberries. There are five stages to this challenge, with each unveiling a new scene on the banquet table, so it's sort of like an Advent Calendar. Just with more dying alone on the surface. As you progress through each tier you'll earn rewards like cosmetic items, Raider Tokens, and Merits that will also contribute to the Flickering Flames event above.

Arc Raiders Toxic SwampBest Arc Raiders weapons tier listBest Arc Raiders skillsArc Raiders blueprintsArc Raiders Loot Cheat Sheet

Arc Raiders Toxic Swamp
Best Arc Raiders weapons tier list
Best Arc Raiders skills
Arc Raiders blueprints
Arc Raiders Loot Cheat Sheet

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

CATEGORIES
PC Gaming PS5 Xbox Series X Platforms PlayStation Xbox
Leon Hurley
Leon Hurley
Social Links Navigation
Managing editor for guides

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for guides. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, action adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Arc Raiders raider player character with new stubble facial hair
Third Person Shooters Everything new in the Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky update
 
 
Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Everything in Arc Raiders' Escalation and 2026 Roadmap
 
 
Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky tease shows a weathervane in front of a cloudy background.
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders' February update gets a release date: Shrouded Sky launches early next week
 
 
Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders' next big update is out tomorrow, and we were all wrong about the new map condition
 
 
Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky bots Firefly and Arc on dark blue background
Third Person Shooters "A floating nightmare": Arc Raiders' big Shrouded Sky update has 2 new Arc, a big Dam Battlegrounds update, and more
 
 
Arc Raiders best weapons
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders "Toxic Swamp" map event coming next week according to new trials, suggesting Embark looked to FromSoftware
 
 
Latest in Third Person Shooters
A Warframe wields a comically oversized gun
Third Person Shooters "We've sportified Steam charts" according to Warframe boss, with gamers becoming "baseball freaks"
 
 
Arc Raiders character grimacing
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders once had an Arc called The Cylinder of Pain, so of course I asked Embark about it
 
 
Screenshot from Arc Raiders launch trailer shows a person wearing a helmet with a visor that covers their face.
Third Person Shooters Embark knows Arc Raiders fans are questioning "the size of our weekly patches"
 
 
Arc Raiders screenshots
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders will unleash Shredders on multiple maps in Flashpoint update coming next week
 
 
Arc Raiders player holding a gun
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders guns totally changed after one dev remade the entire reload system "himself"
 
 
Arc Raiders Queen
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders devs tortured each other during playtests, juicing Arc into Elden Ring bosses
 
 
Latest in Guides
Crimson Desert House of Healing
RPGs How to find the Greymane in the House of Healing in Crimson Desert
 
 
Marathon Cryo Archive shooting enemy runner with BRRT
FPS Games Basic guide and tips for running Cryo Archive in Marathon
 
 
WWE 2K26
WWE 2K WWE 2K26 MyRise walkthrough and chapter rewards guide
 
 
A close up of Izuku Midoriya using his Plus Ultra move in My Hero Academia Ultimate
RPGs My Hero Academia Ultimate codes (March 2026) for Coins
 
 
Crimson Desert Duskwood Ruins puzzle
RPGs How to solve the Duskwood Ruins puzzle in Crimson Desert
 
 
Fortnite Chaos Cubes
Fortnite Fortnite Chaos Cubes locations and rewards for finding them
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Mickey Mouse along with Goofy, Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Donald Duck in a promo image for Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse
    1
    Disney quashes $1 billion deal with OpenAI after Sora video app shutters, vows to "continue to engage with AI platforms"
  2. 2
    Open-world pirate games are so back: Windrose hits 1.5 million Steam wishlists as 800,000 players convince devs to leave the bangin' demo up until launch
  3. 3
    Marathon sold just 1.2 million copies with nearly 70% on Steam, analyst estimates: "It hasn't exactly made the splash Sony and Bungie wanted"
  4. 4
    After breaking GTA 6's record, the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer has crossed 1 billion views faster than any movie in history
  5. 5
    "Weird and bats**t" Steam launch of two different indie games with the same name ended in 3x more sales than expected: "It all absolutely popped off"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...