The PC gaming world is about to get very festive. Valve has confirmed that the Steam Winter Sale 2025 will begin on December 18 at 10 a.m. PT and run through January 5, 2026, offering deep discounts on thousands of titles across genres and platforms. This year’s timing lines up almost perfectly with the Epic Games Store’s holiday daily free game giveaway event, which also kicks into high gear around mid-December, prompting many to wonder whether it’s a coincidence or a strategic move in the yearly digital storefront rivalry.
Epic’s holiday giveaway is already underway with Hogwarts Legacy available free until December 18, and a new mystery freebie revealed each day afterward until early January. The overlapping dates could be accidental, but they also create a festive period in which PC gamers have two major reasons to check both stores for deals, freebies, and seasonal content.
Whether you’re focused on stocking up your game library, finishing off 2025 with a backlog purge, or hunting for gifts (or gifts for yourself), the Steam Winter Sale’s breadth of discounts means there’s something for every kind of player. Here are some standout titles that are expected to be big deals once the sale goes live.
Elden Ring: NIGHTREIGN – FromSoftware’s expansion to one of the biggest RPG hits of the decade expands on the open-world fantasy with new areas, bosses, and mechanics. Expect hefty discounts as players look to explore the shadows and storms of The Lands Between at a fraction of the launch price.
Hades II – The critically acclaimed sequel to the rogue-lite smash Hades brings new mythic chaos and layered combat to the underworld. With its fast-paced action and storytelling charm, this title is a perfect candidate for one of the sale’s deeper discounts.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Ubisoft’s historical action-adventure set in feudal Japan lets players dive into an evocative open world with refined stealth and combat systems. A strong discount here will likely be a draw for fans of immersive single-player experiences.
Borderlands 4 – The latest installment in the loot-shooter franchise offers a bombastic blend of humor, guns, and co-op chaos across a sprawling world. Holiday sales are often the best time to grab big AAA entries like this for less, especially if you’ve been waiting for the price to dip.
Beyond these highlights, expect discounts on a broad range of titles, from indie standouts to big blockbusters, with a genre mix that includes RPGs, shooters, strategy, simulation, and more. Unlike older Steam sales with daily flash deals, Valve’s current format keeps discounts live for the entire duration of the sale, making it easier to avoid fluctuating prices and plan purchases in advance.
With both Valve and Epic vying for your attention this holiday season, PC gamers are in for one of the most compelling sales windows in years. Whether it’s free games courtesy of Epic’s daily reveals or Steam’s massive discount catalog, the weeks between now and early January are shaping up to be a great time to game.
