New Holiday Rewards Bring Festive Cheer and Classic Muscle to Forza Horizon 5

The Horizon Holidays celebration transforms Forza Horizon 5 into a festive playground filled with decorations, seasonal challenges, and iconic muscle cars. From snowman hunts and icy stadium fun to a packed Festival Playlist and Backstage Votes, this holiday update delivers rewards that grow both your garage and holiday spirit.

Playground Games once again brings the holiday spirit to Mexico with Horizon Holidays, a festive celebration that fills Forza Horizon 5 with seasonal decorations, playful challenges, and a lineup of memorable reward cars. Running throughout December and into the New Year, the event transforms familiar locations into winter-themed attractions while encouraging players to explore, compete, and collect. With holiday markets, icy playgrounds, and a Festival Playlist packed with points and prizes, Horizon Holidays delivers a blend of charm and horsepower that captures the joy of the season.

At the heart of the celebration is Horizon Wonderland, a holiday-themed marketplace located in Mulegé. The area receives a festive makeover complete with decorations, lights, and seasonal flair, serving as a cheerful hub where players can access the Forzathon Shop and soak in the atmosphere. A large gift box near the church signals a reward waiting to be collected, reinforcing the sense of discovery that defines Horizon’s holiday events. Across Mexico, Christmas trees, candy canes, and lights decorate the landscape, while collectible snowmen appear throughout the world, including at Player Houses. Tracking them down ties directly into weekly Photo Challenges, encouraging exploration and creativity.

The Horizon Stadium also joins the festivities with a complete transformation into an Ice Rink Stadium. This icy playground offers a space for players to slide around with friends, interact with a giant hockey puck, and enjoy a lighter, more playful side of the Horizon Festival. Together, these environmental changes make Horizon Holidays feel like more than a checklist of challenges, instead turning the open world into a shared seasonal experience.

The holiday-themed Festival Playlist anchors the event, offering a wide range of rewards for players who earn points by completing seasonal activities. Leading the list is the 2013 Cadillac XTS Limousine, unlocked by earning 80 points during the Horizon Holidays Playlist. Equal parts novelty and luxury, the elongated limousine stands out for its size and presence, offering a unique driving experience and an unconventional canvas for creative liveries. Despite its length, it delivers respectable performance and can be upgraded extensively, making it a surprising and entertaining addition to any garage.

Muscle car enthusiasts are especially well served this season, with four iconic American performance machines returning to the Festival across the monthly rotations. The 1971 AMC Javelin AMX arrives during the Summer “Wet” Season, celebrating one of the most distinctive pony cars of the era. Known for its Trans-Am racing success and bold styling, the Javelin AMX represents AMC’s fearless challenge to larger manufacturers. Its combination of racing pedigree and aggressive design makes it a standout reward for drivers who appreciate classic competition heritage.

The Autumn “Storm” Season brings the 1958 Plymouth Fury, a rolling symbol of 1950s automotive excess. With dramatic tailfins, abundant chrome, and a powerful V8, the Fury emphasizes style and straight-line cruising over modern handling precision. It embodies an era when design and presence mattered as much as performance, offering players a chance to experience a very different chapter of automotive history on Horizon’s roads.

Winter “Dry” Season introduces the 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455, widely regarded as one of the final true muscle cars before tightening regulations reshaped the industry. Built around a heavily reinforced engine, the SD-455 represents untapped potential and engineering ambition. While restrained in factory form, its foundations make it a favorite among enthusiasts, and its inclusion adds historical depth to the Festival Playlist.

Closing out the holiday rotation in the Spring “Hot” Season is the 1970 AMC Rebel “The Machine.” Instantly recognizable by its red, white, and blue livery, this bold muscle car reflects AMC’s unconventional approach to performance. Developed with Hurst, it was designed as a street-legal drag racer, combining visual flair with genuine straight-line speed. Its return reinforces Horizon Holidays’ focus on personality-driven cars that stand out both visually and mechanically.

Beyond individual rewards, Horizon Backstage voting returns with a festive twist. Each week, players vote between paired vehicles, determining which cars become available for purchase. These matchups span everything from luxury wagons and retro sports cars to drag racers and modern hot hatches, giving the community a direct role in shaping the Festival’s offerings. The rotating votes add anticipation and encourage regular participation throughout the holiday period.

Looking ahead, Horizon Holidays also ties into broader seasonal progressions with Hidden Horizons and Horizon Extreme rewards, ensuring there is always something new to earn. From classic Japanese compacts to extreme hypercars, the reward structure caters to a wide range of tastes and playstyles. Together, the festive decorations, playful challenges, and diverse car lineup make Horizon Holidays one of the most generous and joyful seasonal events in Forza Horizon 5, inviting players to celebrate the season by racing, exploring, and expanding their garages in style.