Every year, gamers around the world eagerly anticipate the holiday season not just for the celebrations, but also for one of the best traditions in PC gaming: the Epic Games Store Holiday Free Games event. What began as a generous promotion has quickly turned into a beloved annual festival of gaming, where Epic gives away a new game every single day for several weeks. With the 2024 holiday lineup finally unveiled, we’ve dived in to give you a complete breakdown of what to expect, what treasures you’ll find, and how to maximize the experience.
During the 2024 holiday season, the Epic Games Store is offering 17 free games, including surprises like Control Ultimate Edition, Dead Cells, and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. A new game drops every day at 11 AM EST, and each one is free for only 24 hours. You must claim the games during their window to keep them forever in your Epic library. For fans of all genres—from RPGs to action-platformers—this event has something for everyone.
The Epic Games Store’s holiday promotion is a high-value gift for players, offering free full games with no catch—other than being quick on the clock. Each game becomes available for exactly 24 hours, and once you claim it, it’s yours for life. The promotion usually lasts between 15 to 17 days, with each day’s giveaway cloaked in mystery until the official reveal.
This year’s event started on December 15, 2024 and will run until December 31, 2024, treating gamers to a total of 17 games. Each title unlocks daily at 11:00 AM EST and must be claimed by the same time the following day.
Below is the current list of free games revealed for this year’s holiday event. We’ll update it as more titles are made available.
Please note that Epic keeps the upcoming titles a secret till the day of release, adding an exciting surprise factor. Community speculation and leaks have so far managed to guess a few, but nothing beats the official drop.
While every game in the lineup is worth adding to your collection, a few gems stand out for their gameplay, storytelling, or critical acclaim.
Claiming your free games on the Epic Games Store is straightforward, whether you’re using the launcher or website:
Make sure to repeat this process every day before the 24-hour window closes. There are no catch-up or backtrack options if you miss one.
Some might wonder why Epic gives away so many top-tier games for free. The answer lies in their long-term strategy to expand the Epic Games Store user base and compete with dominant platforms like Steam. By offering substantial value and forming habitual engagement during the holidays, they attract new users and encourage daily visits to their platform. It’s a win-win: gamers get free entertainment, and Epic gets more visibility, data, and potential customers for its paid offerings.
To make sure you don’t miss out on any day of the giveaway, consider these tips:
Each year, the Epic holiday free games event sparks excitement across the gaming community. Social media lights up with screenshots, heartfelt thank-yous, and predictions for the next mystery reveal. This year is no exception. Reddit threads flourish with mini-reviews and tips for enjoying each game. YouTubers dive headfirst into creating content for these titles, and many indie developers find their work reaching a much larger audience than ever before.
In particular, the inclusion of Celeste and Slay the Spire have been met with overwhelming positivity, proving that even years after release, timeless indie hits continue to resonate deeply.
The Epic Games Store Holiday Free Games event has become more than just a gimmick—it’s become a genuine holiday tradition for PC gamers across the globe. Whether you’re trying out genres you wouldn’t normally buy or collecting games you’ve always wanted, 2024’s lineup is rich with value and variety. Don’t sleep on it—make it a point to check in every day through New Year’s Eve and walk away with a treasure trove of titles for your gaming library.
So crank up the hot cocoa, put your feet up, and treat yourself to an epic end-of-year celebration—one free game at a time.