Complete Spirit’s Eve Maze Guide Stardew Valley
Spirit’s Eve is the spooky highlight of Fall 27 in Pelican Town, and the maze at the heart of the festival is a compact but cleverly designed challenge that alternates layouts between years. In odd years the maze hides a Golden Pumpkin; in even years the reward is a Prize Ticket. This guide gives a complete, step‑by‑step walkthrough for both maze types, explains the secret passages and shortcuts, and offers practical tips—including equipment, timing, and route choices—so you can finish the maze quickly and claim the best reward.
What to expect when you arrive
When Spirit’s Eve begins at 10:00 PM on Fall 27, Pelican Town Square transforms into a festival ground with stalls, decorations, and the maze entrance near Pierre’s shop. You must enter between 10:00 PM and 11:50 PM; if you leave the festival you’ll be returned to your farm at midnight. The maze is populated with townsfolk who stand at fixed spots and a handful of signposts that hint at hidden paths. The maze layout alternates by year: odd years are smaller and lead to the Golden Pumpkin, while even years are larger and more complex, offering a Prize Ticket.
Essential preparation before entering
Before you step into the hedges, prepare like you would for any short in‑game challenge. Bring nothing you can’t afford to lose, but consider equipping items that help navigation and visibility. The Glow Ring or any light‑providing ring is especially useful in the darker interior sections and secret passages; it makes it easier to track your movement and avoid backtracking. Wear comfortable boots and avoid carrying heavy stacks of items that slow decision‑making. Save your game beforehand if you want to experiment with routes without losing progress.
How the maze alternates and why it matters
The maze alternates between two main designs across years. Odd years present a relatively straightforward layout with a single secret passage that leads to the treasure chamber containing the Golden Pumpkin. Even years introduce a larger, more intricate maze with multiple hidden passages and decoy routes; the correct sequence of secret paths leads to a chest with a Prize Ticket. Knowing which year you’re in changes your strategy: in odd years you can focus on finding the single secret entrance; in even years you must be ready to test multiple hidden routes and use NPC positions and signposts as clues.
Step by step walkthrough for odd year maze (Golden Pumpkin)
Start at the maze entrance near Pierre’s stall. Walk up the stairs next to Pierre’s booth and enter the hedges. Keep the following sequence in mind:
Move toward the northwestern quadrant where you’ll see a ? signpost. The secret passage begins just underneath and to the left of that sign. Step into the hedge gap there and follow the narrow cave‑like corridor that winds to the right and left. The path is partially blind; the Glow Ring helps you see where you’ve been. Continue through the passage until you drop down into the treasure section. The chest contains the Golden Pumpkin.
After opening the chest, you can exit quickly by using the mine cart shortcut that returns you to the maze entrance near Pierre’s booth. This is faster than retracing your steps through the hedges and keeps you from getting lost in the maze again.
Key tip: If you’re unsure where the secret passage starts, look for the signpost with the question mark and search the hedges immediately below and to the left of it. That small gap is the entry to the hidden corridor. Wearing a light ring makes the corridor’s twists easier to follow.
Step by step walkthrough for even year maze (Prize Ticket)
Even years are more elaborate and require more careful navigation. The maze contains multiple secret passages and decoy openings; only a specific sequence leads to the treasure chamber with the Prize Ticket. Follow this route:
Enter the maze and head toward the area where Shane and Jas are standing (upper left from the entrance). Walk past them toward the fountain and find Leah near the fountain. From Leah’s position, go through the opening on the east side and proceed upward, passing the hay bale until you reach a ? signpost. The cubby to the left of that sign hides a secret path.
Follow that hidden path until you reach Emily’s location. From Emily’s spot, move through the small graveyard on the left. There are narrow passages above certain gravestones; use those to weave through. Continue into the larger graveyard where Sebastian stands at the top. Navigate clockwise around the big graveyard and then enter the smaller graveyard to the east. Exit that small graveyard and take the hidden path along the topmost hedge.
That path leads to the southern section where Vincent and Sam are located. From there, look for the hidden passage behind the rows of hedges above the Witch’s Hut; a ? signpost marks the general area. Take the path to the right of that sign and continue through the secret corridors until you reach the treasure chamber. The chest contains the Prize Ticket.
Key tip: In even years, some hedges have multiple adjacent gaps that look promising. Only one of those will lead to the treasure; if you hit a dead end, backtrack to the last signpost or NPC and try the other gap. NPC positions are consistent and act as reliable landmarks.
Recognizing and using secret passages
Secret passages are the maze’s defining feature. They’re usually located near ? signposts or behind small hedge gaps that look like dead ends. The trick is to search the hedges immediately adjacent to signposts and NPCs; many of the hidden routes begin just beneath or to the left of a question mark sign. When you find a gap, step through and follow the corridor—these passages often wind and require blind navigation, so a light source helps. If you reach a dead end, retrace your steps to the last branching point and try the other opening.
Using NPCs and signposts as navigation aids
Villagers standing inside the maze are not just for atmosphere; they’re practical markers. Characters like Shane, Jas, Leah, Emily, Sebastian, Sam, and Vincent occupy consistent positions that help you orient yourself. When you see a familiar NPC, use them as a waypoint: move relative to their position (e.g., “go east of Leah” or “search the hedges below the sign near Alex”) to find the next hidden passage. Signposts with question marks are explicit hints—always check the hedges around them. This method reduces guesswork and speeds up completion.
Speedrun tactics and shortcuts
If your goal is speed rather than exploration, follow these tactics:
Equip a Glow Ring for visibility and to avoid wasting time in blind corridors.
Memorize the odd/even year pattern so you know whether to search for a single secret passage or multiple hidden routes.
Use the mine cart shortcut after opening the chest to exit quickly.
If you’ve completed the maze before, practice the route in subsequent years to shave off seconds.
Avoid stopping to talk to NPCs unless you want the dialogue; it slows you down.
What you can win and why it matters
The Golden Pumpkin is a rare and valuable item that can be used in crafting, gifted to villagers, or sold for profit. The Prize Ticket can be exchanged at the traveling cart or festival vendor for unique items depending on the game version and updates. Both rewards are worthwhile: the Golden Pumpkin is a memorable festival prize, while the Prize Ticket gives flexibility for rare purchases. Because the maze alternates rewards by year, many players plan their festival attendance around which prize they want.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Players often make the same errors: assuming the maze is purely a left‑hand rule maze, ignoring signposts, or failing to use NPCs as landmarks. Don’t rely on random wandering; instead, methodically check hedges near ? signs and NPCs. Another common mistake is entering too late—remember the festival window ends at 11:50 PM. Finally, don’t panic if you hit dead ends; the maze is designed to be solved with observation rather than brute force.
Visual memory and practice
If you’re a visual learner, mentally map the maze as you explore. Note where the fountain, hay bale, and Witch’s Hut are relative to the entrance. After one or two runs you’ll internalize the layout and secret passage locations. Practice in odd years to master the single secret corridor, then tackle even years with confidence. Repetition is the fastest path to mastery.
Accessibility and alternative approaches
If you prefer a low‑stress experience, take your time and enjoy the festival atmosphere. Talk to villagers for extra dialogue and soak in the seasonal details. If you want a guaranteed reward without trial and error, consider saving before entering and reloading if you don’t find the chest quickly; this is a valid approach for players who want the prize without the maze challenge.
Final checklist before you enter
Time: Enter between 10:00 PM and 11:50 PM.
Equipment: Glow Ring or light source recommended.
Goal: Golden Pumpkin (odd years) or Prize Ticket (even years).
Exit: Use the mine cart shortcut after opening the chest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does Spirit’s Eve take place and how long is the festival open? A: Spirit’s Eve occurs on Fall 27. The festival opens at 10:00 PM and you must enter before 11:50 PM; leaving the festival returns you to your farm at midnight.
Q: What’s the difference between odd and even year mazes? A: Odd years feature a smaller maze with a single secret passage leading to a Golden Pumpkin. Even years have a larger, more complex maze with multiple hidden passages and a Prize Ticket reward.
Q: Where is the secret passage located? A: Look for the ? signpost and search the hedges just underneath and to the left of it; that’s where the secret corridor often begins. In even years, additional hidden gaps appear near NPCs and behind hedges around the Witch’s Hut.
Q: Is there a fast way to exit after getting the prize? A: Yes. Use the mine cart shortcut in the treasure section to return to the maze entrance near Pierre’s booth.
Q: Does the maze change with updates or mods? A: The base game alternates maze layouts by year. Mods or major updates can alter festival content; check patch notes or mod descriptions if you use custom content.
This guide gives you the full route logic, the landmarks to watch for, and the practical tips to finish the Spirit’s Eve maze efficiently and enjoyably. Whether you’re chasing the Golden Pumpkin in an odd year or hunting the Prize Ticket in an even year, the maze rewards observation, patience, and a little daring. Now step into Pelican Town at night, follow the signs, trust the NPC landmarks, and claim your festival prize. Good luck and happy harvesting.
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