Cloud Imperium Games has kicked off Star Citizen’s annual Luminalia celebration for in-game universe year 2955, bringing a two‑week wave of free gifts, limited‑time missions, and festive store offers to the persistent universe. The in‑universe holiday is an analog for the real-world holiday season. Shared by both Humans and the game’s Banu alien species, Luminalia has become a yearly anchor event for the space sim’s community, effectively serving as “space Christmas” in the Star Citizen calendar.
In Star Citizen lore, Luminalia is celebrated every year on December 22, evolving from the Banu “tsikti efanga,” or Glow Festival, where ceremonial lamps are lit and left burning until their fuel is exhausted. Human players mark the occasion with red‑and‑green decorations, gift‑giving, and social gatherings across the ‘verse, reinforcing the event’s theme of unity and shared goodwill among different species. Over time, that fiction has translated into a broad slate of in‑game activities and real‑world promotions around the holiday period.
For 2955, Luminalia runs from December 10 through December 22 and centers on an online Advent‑style calendar hosted on the Roberts Space Industries website. Each day at 16:00 UTC, players can open a new calendar “door” to claim a free Luminalia‑themed reward, which is then added directly to their hangar. Community posts and early guides highlight items such as holiday ship paints and a special “Piconalia” variant laser pistol among the first gifts, with additional gear and cosmetics unlocking as the event continues.
The event also spills into the persistent universe with seasonal gameplay hooks. Past and current Luminalia periods feature gift‑themed cargo delivery missions and present boxes that randomly spawn in the world, which players can haul to designated locations and convert into in‑game currency. These activities complement the game’s upcoming Alpha 4.5 update, with players pointing to the launch of the new engineering gameplay mechanic, ship balance changes, and new mission hooks as part of a packed end‑of‑year schedule.
Outside the game client, Luminalia doubles as a major commercial beat for Star Citizen. This year’s campaign includes discounted starter packs aimed at onboarding new players, with some bundles offering ships at roughly 10–25 percent off and budget‑friendly options for first‑time buyers. Festive armor, clothing, and limited‑time store items also return for the holiday window, alongside small subscription discounts for the game’s Centurion and Imperator supporter tiers. For Cloud Imperium, the event continues to serve a dual purpose: rewarding long‑time backers with free items and activities while giving curious newcomers a heavily promoted entry point into the still‑in‑development space sim.