For those of you who want to expand your collection of games on Steam without breaking the bank, knowing the Steam Sale schedule is a wise move. Steam now announces discount dates much earlier, so you can plan your purchases more carefully. In addition to the four main seasonal sales, there are also themed events that provide genre-specific discounts. That way, you can prepare your wishlist and budget so you don't miss out on the best deals.
Steam Sale Schedule 2025
Steam holds several major events throughout the year, ranging from seasonal sales to themed discounts. Here's the full schedule:
Seasonal Steam Sales
This event offers the biggest discounts and covers a wide range of game genres.
| Seasonal Steam Sales | Date |
|---|---|
| Spring Sale | March 13 - 20, 2025 |
| Summer Sale | June 26 - July 10, 2025 |
| Autumn Sale | September 29 - October 6, 2025 |
| Winter Sale | December 18, 2025 - January 5, 2026 |
Themed Steam Sale Events
Steam also holds discounts based on specific genres, known as "Fest".
| Themed Steam Sale Events | Date |
|---|---|
| Visual Novel Fest | March 3 - 10, 2025 |
| City Builder & Colony Sim Fest | March 24 - 31, 2025 |
| Sokoban Fest | April 21 - 28, 2025 |
| Wargames Fest | April 28 - May 5, 2025 |
| Creature Collector Fest | May 12 - 19, 2025 |
| Zombies vs. Vampires Fest | May 26 - June 2, 2025 |
| Fishing Fest | June 16 - 23, 2025 |
| Automation Fest | July 14 - 21, 2025 |
| Racing Fest | July 28 - August 4, 2025 |
| 4X Fest | August 11 - 18, 2025 |
| Third Person Shooter (TPS) Fest | August 25 - September 1, 2025 |
| Political Sim Fest | September 8 - 15, 2025 |
| Animal Fest | October 10 - 17, 2025 |
| Steam Scream Fest | October 27 - November 3, 2025 |
| Sports Fest | December 8 - 15, 2025 |
Steam Next Fest
Steam Next Fest is a multi-day festival where players can try out game demos, watch developer live streams, and get a deeper insight into game projects in development. For developers, the event is a platform to get early feedback from players and build an audience before their game is released.
This event takes place close to the main seasonal sale, giving players a chance to try out new games before deciding on a purchase during the big discount. Although it's not included in the Steam Sale because it doesn't offer discounts, Next Fest still appeals to gamers who want to explore new titles for free before their official release.
| Steam Next Fest | Date |
|---|---|
| Next Fest February | February 24 - March 3, 2025 |
| Next Fest June | June 9 - 16, 2025 |
| Next Fest October | October 13 - 20, 2025 |
Which Steam Sale is the Best?
The two biggest events of the year are the Summer Sale and Winter Sale. Both provide the biggest discounts with the widest selection of games. Meanwhile, the Autumn Sale and Spring Sale remain interesting, but often offer slightly lower discounts than the two main events.
Don't ignore themed sale events if you're looking for genre-specific discounts. For example, if you love racing games, Racing Fest could be the perfect time to add to your collection.
Tips for Discount Hunting at Steam Sale
- Use Wishlist - Add games to your wishlist so you get notifications when they're on sale. This helps you avoid impulse purchases.
- Utilize Publisher Bundles - Sometimes, buying a series of games in a bundle can be cheaper than buying individual games.
- Watch out for DLC Discounts - If you already own the base game, Steam Sales often provide big discounts on DLC, which can extend your gaming experience.
- Don't Rush to Buy - If the game you're eyeing isn't heavily discounted at the moment, chances are it'll drop even further in the next sale.
- Monitor Weekend Sales - In addition to major events, Steam often holds special discounts from certain publishers every weekend.
Steam Sale is the best opportunity to get games for less. By following the schedule above and applying the right strategies, you can expand your collection without breaking the bank. Make sure to keep checking for discounts and utilize the wishlist feature so you don't miss out on the best deals!
Source: SteamDB
