In Harvest Moon there are many other things to do besides just farm. Their are town festivals where most or all of the town participates. For some you might have to bring something, others just yourself. Some even need you to prepare for over a year. The festivals are on the same day every year noted on the bottom. They are in chronological order to reduce confusion to a minimal. None of these festivals are mandatory but do help the view or the townspeople towards you. You should go, besides if you win one of the certain festivals you will find some things will change forever. Below this chart you will find a explanation of each festival

New Years Festival This is the last festival that you will experience. Why you might ask, you start on Spring 2 and miss this festival. It is a celebration of the new year and celebrated by finding who can drink the most in the whole town.

Planting Festival This is the festival where the Harvest King takes a ride in the giant air balloon. Everyone releases little balloons to the kings view from the balloon. To become the Harvest King you must be chosen at the previous harvest festival. Since you were not there you will not get it first year. When you eventually win you choose a partner and go up in the balloon. You can also be chosen by another person to go up with them. When you finally are king you get a picture. If you notice around you can get a power-nut from the suited salesman. This is one of his few offers that are worth getting.

Spring Horse Race This is where you take your horse and make him race to the fish. It is impossible for you to participate in the spring race because your horse will still be a calf. Also if you somehow did get a grown horse, it would not win. It needs to be trained hard for about a year in order to win. To do anything in the race you have to tap 'a' at a steady pace and keep your horse from becoming tired. Winning this festival gets you a Horse Race Picture. Again this will probably not occur until one of the races in 2nd year.

Flower Festival In this festival the five girls come out to celebrate the coming of spring. Four come out together and throw flowers at the winner of the town ballot. You vote for your favorite (its better to vote for your 2nd choice) and she might win. The winner has to dance with the Mayor of the town. This leaves any of the other girls to dance with and get an early start on your quest for a woman.

Fireworks Festival You basically watch the fireworks happen from the beach. The only main advantage about going to this one will let you sit by your girl and watch the rating to higher. and watch the rating to higher. You do not see the fireworks, all you see the color of them reflect onto the beach.

Vegetable Festival For this festival you bring a fresh vegetable. The winner gets nothing but a pat on the back (maybe not even that) and a slight higher view in the eyes of the townspeople. Some say you should bring one a crop that has grown in the day of the festival, others say that it is better to have a crop grow in and water is for a few days in its final growth form. I still haven't tried the second but you can choose what you want to bring. Their are three things that will not be accepted. Living things (wild animals, chickens your dog), things from the forest, and things that are obviously not vegetables.

Firefly Festival This is one of the few festivals found at the beach. You and all the other villagers light candles and sail them out on the water, most are dedicated to your loved and lost ones. As most of you may know your farmer dedicated his poor late grandfather.

Sea Festival For this festival you meet at the beach. You get in the water against the other five eligible bachelors for the girls and swim to the thing in the middle of the sea. In order to win you must tap 'a' at a steady pace and get to the thing. It might take more then one try but it is for the ultimate prize, a power nut. You will also get a photo out of it.

Cow Festival This is a contest to find who has the best cow. This is over many farms and their is a slim chance that you will win. The way to win is simply bush, talk to, and milk your cow every day you can, If your cow does win it starts giving gold milk. This is very high in value and helps your wallet a lot.

Harvest Festival This goes with the planting festival above. This is the festival where they pick the Harvest King. Once you see Elli come out grab a piece of cake from her and if you find a coin in it you are the Harvest King. Cooked dished are on the tables on the sides, you can neither eat or bring a dish while at this festival.

Egg Festival This is the easiest festival in the game. Their are many bins around the main part of town and the mayor shows you a colored egg. Your job is to find it. If you are lucky you will get most the eggs and win it with ease. The prize for winning this festival is another power nut.

Fall Horse Race See the horse race above. Only difference is that your horse might be able to participate in this race the first year. Chances of winning this first year are slim to nil.

Thanksgiving Festival For this festival you do nothing but wait for your girl to come to your farm they should give you a edible gift. They will come if they are between green and pink/red. They will not come if they are below this or you are married to them. They will only come if you are on your farm. If you are married your wife will cook you a big feast.

Dog Race Basically the same as the horse race only your dog participates. You can not do anything to help your dog along. If you win the dog race you get the dog race picture.

Starry Night This festival takes places in a variety of different places. If you want Popuri she will be on the ledge above the entrance to the mine. If you want Karen, she should be at the beach waiting for your company at the beach. Elli, Ann and Maria will all be at the church playing insterments for the crowd. Go talk to any girl and have a fun night with them. I believe you also go up to Moon Mountian and watch the sun rise.

Spirit Festival For this festival you meet late at the church and either watch or participate in the festival. If you bought the occirina you can play that. If you choose not to you can just watch. It supposidly chases the ghosts away and everyone is happy and all. Not much else to say about this one.

New Years Eve Again you meet to say 'goodbye' to the old year. I went to the bar and had a drink or two with Karen. After I left she cought up and we went up to the mountian to watch the sun and new year come. When you wake up, you will notice a green field out side, spring is here.