The upcoming holiday season means many things: festive lights all over town, shopping centers bursting at the seams with folks looking for the best deals, and chestnuts roasting on open fires around the world—or so the song says, at least. 

The holiday celebration is not limited to the real world, however; video games have made a few holiday-themed traditions of their own over the years. Some of our favorites come not as themed expansions or downloadable content, but instead as small, temporary Easter eggs that serve to surprise players when they boot up the games during December. 

Below, we've listed six of our favorite holiday-themed Easter eggs in games. If you haven't seen these before, check out each game here on the Epic Games Store, and give yourself an extra bit of holiday cheer as we approach the end of the year. 
 

Red Dead Online—Carols in the Saloons

As you're riding through the rough-and-tumble Old West in Red Dead Online, you might take a breather upon reaching Blackwater or Saint Denis and head into the local saloon for a drink. If you do this on December 25, however, you might hear a few familiar tunes from the piano in the corner. 

The pianists in Red Dead Redemption 2's world not only know what day it is, but they also know how to put their own ragtime spin on some familiar holiday carols. Head over to the ol' piano to hear Jingle Bells, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and many more. Be sure to throw the musician an extra dollar or two for his troubles too; it is the season of giving, after all. 
 

Fallout 4—Decorated Diamond City

The holiday spirit can be a strong, unshakeable thing sometimes…and not just on the Hallmark Channel. Sometimes that warm and fuzzy feeling around the holidays can rise above even the worst situations—like the nuclear holocaust, for example. 

Boot up Fallout 4 on December 25 and head over to Diamond City, where you'll find the residents and shopkeepers have really leaned into the holiday season. Trees stand in front of shops, lights are strung up between the buildings, and Diamond City security members will even comment on the occasion. The only thing missing is a polar bear drinking Nuka-Cola!
 

Batman: Arkham City—Calendar Man

While most of the holiday hijinx on this list are fun little nods to the season, Batman: Arkham City's reference is a bit more sinister. One of Batman's nemeses, Calendar Man, sits in the basement of the Solomon Wayne Courthouse, and if you visit him on certain days, he regales you with tales of his handiwork themed around the day in question. 

On December 25, he tells the story of Judge Harkness, a judge with a penchant for the death penalty known as "Gotham's hanging judge." Calendar Man then tells Batman of how Harkness met his death at the villain's hand—or, as Calendar Man calls it, a "Christmas special." It's creepy, but it's one of many fascinating stories told by the villain throughout the year. 
 

The Sims 4—A Visit from Father Winter

The name Santa Claus should be second nature to anyone remotely involved with the holiday season, but the name "Father Winter" might not be as familiar. This version of the jolly old elf calls The Sims 4 his home, though outside of his name and outfit, he bears very little difference from the man in the red suit. 

Father Winter appears during Winterfest, where he will drop extra presents under decorated trees around town. Sims can ask for presents, and depending on if they're naughty or nice, they’ll receive either a pleasant gift or a gag gift like coal. Sims can also, uh, fight Father Winter to try and earn presents, but we don't recommend that if you want to stay on the nice list.
 

Hitman World of Assassination—The Holiday Bandits

For the past few years, Hitman has featured a special mission called Holiday Hoarders where Agent 47 must use his skills in espionage and assassination—including dressing up as Santa Claus, if the mission allows—to take down two thieves, Harry Bagnato and Marv Gonif, from the Palais de Walewska. If those first names are ringing some jingle bells in your mind, they should be: Harry and Marv are the bandits from Home Alone, the delightful holiday-themed film starring Macaulay Culkin, and Hitman is putting its own spin on the dastardly duo.

We have to note that it is very bizarre to be talking about Hitman—a game where the main goal is to kill targets as a highly trained assassin—in this list about holiday fun, but credit to the team at IO Interactive for finding a way to spread some holiday cheer among the chaos. Extra points for the Home Alone reference too!
 

Death Stranding: Director's Cut—A Holiday Email

Even Hideo Kojima and his team couldn't resist the pull of the holiday season. Death Stranding Director's Cut has a few references to the holiday season—including some passersby wearing Santa hats—but it's a random email Sam receives that we're focused on here. 

The email explains the old traditions of the holiday to Sam, who has never experienced them for himself in Death Stranding's world. The note talks about eating special food, gathering with family, and eagerly awaiting visits from Santa Claus—which includes the line: "You might say he was a porter just like you! Or perhaps I should say that you’re our Santa Claus?" It's a nice note that celebrates the day, while also reminding you of the dire state of Death Stranding's version of America.