Fortnitemares, Fortnite's yearly Halloween event, started on October 1, 2026. Epic's own channels confirm the Five Nights at Freddy's crossover, the return of Horde Rush and the arrival of Freddy Krueger on October 2. A free outfit earned through event quests is reported by FRVR but not confirmed by Epic, and Epic has not posted an end date.
How Epic rolled it out
The countdown ran for eight days. On September 23 the official @Fortnite account posted a teaser with the date 10.1.
Epic's YouTube channel then revealed Five Nights at Freddy's on September 27, posted a cinematic trailer on September 29 saying the event returns to Battle Royale on October 1, and teased Horde Rush on September 30 with the line that it "rises from the grave tomorrow". The Freddy Krueger arrival video followed on October 2.
- Epic teases Fortnitemares on X with the date 10.1.
- Epic reveals the Five Nights at Freddy's crossover on YouTube.
- Epic's channel announces Horde Rush returns the next day.
- Fortnitemares goes live; the Gameplay Trailer is published.
- Freddy Krueger arrives, per Epic's YouTube channel.
FRVR notes that this is the earliest start in years: the 2025 event began on October 9, eight days later than this year's, and the 2024 event on October 12, eleven days later.
What is confirmed in the game
Epic's Gameplay Trailer description says a cursed cartridge is corrupting the Island and brings new terrors, weapons and bosses. It names the Bonerattler SMG and Freddy Krueger's claws, Five Nights at Freddy's bosses and new spooky points of interest. Epic's FNAF reveal shows the animatronic band taking over Battle Royale.
FRVR adds detail from its v42.30 patch breakdown. Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy come as outfits with a Withered style, a Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria location has animatronic bosses, and Battlewoods turns into Gravegate. FRVR says the outfits are bought in the Item Shop with V-Bucks. Two Halloween Sprites, Pumpkin and Vampire, are described from datamined files, so their abilities may change before they settle.
Horde Rush and the Item Shop
Horde Rush is a returning mode, and Epic's September 30 post is the confirmation: the channel said it "rises from the grave tomorrow", which put it live on October 1 with the event. Epic did not detail rules in the posts above, so check the mode's description in the lobby before you queue.
The Item Shop followed the theme. Epic's October 1 shop video was titled "The Shop is looking a bit CURSED this week", and the collab cosmetics are sold there for V-Bucks. That is separate from the quest rewards, which cost nothing.
The free outfit and the quests
Free Halloween outfits have become a Fortnitemares habit. FRVR names this year's Jack-A-Nape and says it unlocks after 26 event quests, and compares that with 15 levels for Pyg the Butcher last year. Epic has not confirmed the name or the number.
What to do this weekend
Make sure the game is fully updated, then open the Quests tab and filter to the event. Spend nothing until you have seen which rewards are free, because the Item Shop and the quest line are separate. If you only want the free outfit, pick the quests that fit how you already play instead of forcing modes you dislike, since a quest count of 26 would take several sessions. Finally, follow @Fortnite on X or the game's YouTube channel for an end date once Epic posts one.
How long it runs
Epic has not posted an end time. FRVR expects the event to last through October, in line with the end of the season, and expects the free outfit's window to close with it. Treat October 31 as an estimate and not a deadline, and finish the quests early rather than on the final weekend. The site's list of free items to claim this month tracks other limited offers.
Leaks to ignore for now
FRVR attributes Predator, Hazbin Hotel and Hollow Knight skins to the dataminer Hypex and says Epic has only teased Predator. A third Halloween Sprite is also speculated.
Any site offering free V-Bucks codes or generators for Fortnitemares is a scam; the only free rewards are earned in game. The guide to redeeming game codes safely explains how to spot fake offers.
Frequently asked questions
When did Fortnitemares 2026 start?
October 1, 2026. Epic announced the date on X on September 23 and confirmed it in its cinematic trailer.
How do I get the free Fortnitemares skin?
Complete the event quests in the Quests tab. FRVR reports that 26 quests unlock the Jack-A-Nape outfit, but Epic has not confirmed that figure.
When does Fortnitemares end?
Epic has not posted an end time. FRVR expects it to run to the end of October, around the end of the season.
Do I need V-Bucks for the event rewards?
No. The quest rewards are free. FRVR says the Five Nights at Freddy's outfits are paid Item Shop items.
