Lantern Fest 2026 is lighting up Fortnite with a special celebration honoring the Middle East and North Africa community and this year’s event introduces the largest Reload teams ever seen.
From February 19 at 9 AM ET to February 25 at 9 AM ET, players can queue into 8-player Reload teams, creating a fresh, chaotic twist on the fast-paced mode. While Ranked Reload won’t support 8-player squads, casual players can jump in by queuing with up to three friends before being matched into a full eight-player team.
Reload Quests and Free Rewards
During Lantern Fest, teams can complete special Reload Quests to earn limited-time cosmetics:
- Complete 3 Reload Quests to unlock the “Bring it!” Spray
- Complete 8 Reload Quests to unlock the “Love the Game” Emoticon
These rewards are exclusive to the event and give players an extra incentive to squad up and dive into Reload.
Creator Content and Lantern Fest Cosmetics
Players looking for more ways to celebrate can explore Developer Islands from the MENA region, which are featured in the Lantern Fest Discover row until March 18.
Cosmetic highlights include:
- The Radiant Moon Bundle, returning to the Item Shop on February 18
- A curated Locker Bundle from Middle Eastern Fortnite creator d7boor, arriving on February 23
Reload Lantern Fest Cup
The festivities continue into March with the Reload Lantern Fest Cup on March 3. Duos who compete can unlock Aaliyah, the official Lantern Fest 2026 mascot, ahead of her Item Shop release.
Lantern Fest 2026 blends community celebration with exciting gameplay updates, offering bigger teams, exclusive rewards, and regional creator spotlights that make Reload feel fresh once again.
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