Grand Celebrations-Shortlist

Shortlist Reveal

Celebrate the most important moments of your world!

Brought to you by Imagica & CoolG

And Drumroll, please... the shortlist is here!

Hey there, amazing creators of the Anvilspace!

We’re so excited to share the next step of our Grand Celebrations challenge! You’ve wowed us with your feasts, festivals, and fabulous traditions- seriously, your creativity was off the charts once again. Now it’s time to shine a light on some standout entries that really blew us away.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined the challenge! Even if your name isn’t on the shortlist, know that your work is incredible, and we’re so grateful you shared it with us.

After lots of cheering and chatting, CoolG and I have picked our top eight entries. Each one is packed with so much imagination and heart, it’s like a party in every paragraph.

Imagica's Selection

The Cahaya Celebrations by Leijona are a vibrant and heartwarming start to the new year. I particularly loved the real-life inspiration behind the many diverse traditions presented, as these customs ground the holiday in a relatable yet fantastical way. The symbolism of lighting candles and offering prayers for blessings mirrors Cahaya’s role as a beacon of hope, which masterfully ties the celebration with the world's lore.

The Juran Celebrations of Endurance by Hallucigenia present a deeply emotional and immersive blend of joy and mourning. What makes these celebrations especially powerful, is the emphasis given to the dual nature of the events- where joy overcomes despair and sorrow is tempered with hope. I loved how this balance makes the rituals feel both uplifting and deeply meaningful.

Hustankåmmar by elspeth is a heartfelt celebration of light, community, and preparation for winter. From the dawn greeting to candle lighting, every ritual emphasizes connection. I especially loved the tradition of poetry recitation, where personal tales and epic stories are shared late into the night. I think it adds a deeply emotional and creative touch.

Demongrey's quality of writing is unquestionable, and Kerzennächte is no exception. Dive into a holiday season tied to a unique celestial event and explore the many ways it is celebrated across various cultures and regions. I loved the variety and immersiveness in this one.

CoolG's Selection

O'jiborez: The Festival of Gleaning by Koragath is a beautiful tradition that focuses on themes like letting go of the negatives in your life and forgiveness. What began as a small and humble act of cleansing an important body of water transformed into a grand festival that unites people of all ages. My favourite part of this celebration is the Ritual of Remnants for its beautiful process and the lovely prose Koragath includes ^^

Inzisana - Sunfestival by Blue Fairy is an important festival related to the myth of the Legend of the Eaten Sun. And can I just say that I love, love, LOVE this myth?? It is probably my favourite part of this entry :D Blue beautifully illustrates (with both evocative words and lovely artwork!) the activities that take place such as the Burning Tower, symbolizing the Sun being eaten and the defeat of the Kwuri the lion, Glowing Dances and even the delicious food served!

Cravoka, Celebration of Dancing by Jester% is a time to rejoice about life, happiness and freedom in a harsh, unforgiving environment. What I love about this entry is how much joy this festival brings to the people living on the Frostbound Steppes, a place where hardships were constant, and how much it helps them get through life's troubles and the celebration itself is so colourful and magical to watch <3

Shir'kardyr - The dance of bones by Tyrdal is quite an unconventional celebration. During this event, bonespeakers, historians and storytellers who carve the stories of their people into bones they carry around, show up to a settlement and tell the residents the various stories and tales etched into these bones. Tyrdal, as usual, weaves an immersive experience about this unique celebration that appeals to every sense! (all the food make me hungry XD)

What’s next?

Now, we’re gearing up for the big finale. On December 25th, we’ll reveal the three grand winners and hand out their unique, shinny badges. In the meantime, go check out these awesome entries and show them some love!

Thanks for making this challenge so much fun. You guys rock!