Steam Sale Dates (March 2026) – Complete Schedule

Updated by Garvit Sharma
October 9, 2025
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Are you wondering when the next Steam sale is happening? You’re in the right place! As a passionate PC gamer who’s been tracking Steam sales for years, I know exactly how important it is to plan your gaming budget around these massive discount events. Steam sales are the perfect opportunity to expand your gaming library without breaking the bank, but with so many sales throughout the year, it can be tough to keep track of them all.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every Steam sale date for the rest of 2026 and into 2026, share insider tips for maximizing your savings, and help you never miss a major discount again. Whether you’re a seasoned Steam sale veteran or new to the world of PC gaming deals, this guide has everything you need to know.

Quick Reference: Upcoming Steam Sales (March 2026)

Sale Event	Start Date	End Date	Type	Duration
Steam Next Fest	October 13, 2026	October 20, 2026	Festival	7 days
Steam Scream 4	October 27, 2026	November 3, 2026	Horror Fest	7 days
Animal Fest	November 10, 2026	November 17, 2026	Genre Fest	7 days
Sports Fest	December 8, 2026	December 15, 2026	Genre Fest	7 days
Winter Sale	December 18, 2026	January 5, 2026	Seasonal	18 days

When is the Next Steam Sale?

The next Steam sale is the Steam Next Fest: October 2026 Edition, which runs from October 13 to October 20, 2026. While this isn’t a traditional sale event, it’s an exciting opportunity to try out hundreds of upcoming games through free demos and discover new titles before they release.

Steam Next Fest has become one of my favorite Steam events because it’s not just about discounts – it’s about discovery. Many participating games do offer special launch pricing, making it a great time to snag deals on upcoming titles you’ve been eyeing.

Steam Sale

Steam Next Fest: October 2026 Edition

Starts: October 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Ends: October 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Time Until Start: [Countdown would appear here]

All Steam sales consistently start at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (1:00 PM Eastern Time), so make sure to convert this to your local time zone to avoid missing the deals!

Complete Steam Sales Schedule (2026)

Based on the official announcement from Valve, here’s the complete schedule of all upcoming Steam sales and festivals. I’ve organized this chronologically so you can plan your gaming purchases throughout the year.

Late 2026 Steam Sales

Steam Next Fest: October 2026 Edition

Dates: October 13 – October 20, 2026 Type: Discovery Festival Duration: 7 days

This festival focuses on upcoming games with free demos, previews, and developer streams. While not primarily a discount event, many games offer special pricing during Next Fest. It’s the perfect time to discover hidden gems and upcoming titles you might want to add to your wishlist.

Steam Scream 4

Dates: October 27 – November 3, 2026 Type: Horror Genre Festival Duration: 7 days

Perfect for Halloween season! Steam Scream Fest features discounts on horror games, from psychological thrillers to jump-scare-filled adventures. If you love spooky games, this is your chance to stock up on terrifying titles at great prices.

Animal Fest

Dates: November 10 – November 17, 2026 Type: Genre Festival Duration: 7 days

This charming festival celebrates games featuring animals as main characters, companions, or themes. From cute creature collectors to wildlife simulation games, Animal Fest offers cozy and adorable gaming experiences at discounted prices.

Sports Fest

Dates: December 8 – December 15, 2026 Type: Genre Festival Duration: 7 days

Get your game face on! Sports Fest features discounts on all types of sports games, from realistic simulations like FIFA and NBA 2K to arcade-style sports games and everything in between.

Winter Sale 2026

Dates: December 18, 2026 – January 5, 2026 Type: Major Seasonal Sale Duration: 18 days

The Winter Sale is one of Steam’s biggest events of the year, featuring massive discounts across the entire Steam catalog. This is typically when you’ll find the deepest discounts on AAA titles and the widest selection of games on sale. It’s also the longest-running Steam sale, giving you plenty of time to browse and make informed purchasing decisions.

Early 2026 Steam Sales

Detective Fest

Dates: January 12 – January 19, 2026 Type: Genre Festival Duration: 7 days

Put on your thinking cap! Detective Fest features discounts on mystery games, puzzle adventures, and investigation-themed titles. Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes-style games and whodunit adventures.

Board Game Fest

Dates: January 26 – February 2, 2026 Type: Genre Festival Duration: 7 days

Digital board games and card games take center stage during this festival. From classic board game adaptations to innovative digital-only card games, this fest is perfect for strategy enthusiasts.

Typing Fest

Dates: February 5 – February 9, 2026 Type: Genre Festival Duration: 4 days

A unique festival celebrating typing games and educational software. While niche, this fest offers great deals on typing tutors and word-based games.

PvP Fest

Dates: February 9 – February 16, 2026 Type: Genre Festival Duration: 7 days

Competitive gaming takes the spotlight! PvP Fest features discounts on multiplayer competitive games, fighting games, and player-versus-player focused titles.

Horse Fest

Dates: February 19 – February 23, 2026 Type: Genre Festival Duration: 4 days

Another niche but beloved festival celebrating games featuring horses. From racing simulators to horse care games, this fest is perfect for equestrian enthusiasts.

Steam Next Fest: February 2026 Edition

Dates: February 23 – March 2, 2026 Type: Discovery Festival Duration: 7 days

The first Next Fest of 2026, offering another opportunity to discover upcoming games through free demos and developer interactions.

Tower Defense Fest

Dates: March 9 – March 16, 2026 Type: Genre Festival Duration: 7 days

Strategy fans rejoice! This festival focuses on tower defense games and strategic defense titles, offering discounts on both classic and innovative tower defense experiences.

Spring Sale 2026

Dates: March 19 – March 26, 2026 Type: Major Seasonal Sale Duration: 7 days

The Spring Sale is one of Steam’s four major seasonal sales, featuring significant discounts across all genres. While not as extensive as the Summer or Winter sales, it still offers excellent opportunities to save on both new releases and older titles.

Understanding Steam Sale Types

Not all Steam sales are created equal! Based on my years of experience tracking these events, I’ve found that understanding the different types of sales can help you plan your gaming budget more effectively.

Major Seasonal Sales

These are the big ones that most gamers look forward to:

Winter Sale: December 18 – January 5 (18 days) – The biggest sale of the year
Summer Sale: June 26 – July 10 (15 days) – Second biggest, widest selection
Spring Sale: March 19 – March 26 (7 days) – Good selection, moderate discounts
Autumn Sale: September 29 – October 6 (7 days) – Post-summer releases, good deals

Why they matter: These sales typically offer the deepest discounts (up to 90% off) and the widest selection of games. If you’re looking to buy multiple games or expensive AAA titles, these are the sales to wait for.

Steam Next Fest

These festivals happen 3-4 times per year and focus on upcoming games:

Focus: Game discovery through free demos
Discounts: Limited, mostly launch pricing for upcoming titles
Best for: Discovering new games and trying before you buy

Pro tip: I use Next Fest to add games to my wishlist so I get notified when they go on sale during major seasonal events.

Genre Festivals

These themed sales focus on specific game types:

Duration: Usually 7 days (some are 4 days)
Discounts: Moderate to good (30-75% off)
Selection: Limited to specific genres
Examples: Horror Fest, Sports Fest, Racing Fest, etc.

Why they’re valuable: If you love a particular genre, these festivals offer targeted discounts and help you discover games in your favorite categories that you might have missed.

2026 Pro Tips for Maximizing Steam Sale Savings

Having participated in dozens of Steam sales over the years, I’ve learned some strategies that can help you save even more money. Here are my top tips:

1. Master Your Wishlist

Your Steam wishlist is your most powerful tool during sales. Here’s how I use it effectively:

Add games year-round: Whenever you see a game you’re interested in, add it to your wishlist immediately
Set price notifications: Steam will email you when wishlisted games go on sale
Organize by priority: I keep my wishlist organized with games I “must buy” at the top
Review before sales: A week before major sales, I review my wishlist and remove games I’m no longer interested in

2. Timing is Everything

Wait for daily deals: During major sales, Steam features different games as daily deals with even deeper discounts
Last day surprises: Some publishers drop additional discounts on the final day of sales
Avoid day one FOMO: Don’t buy everything on day one – better deals often appear mid-sale

3. Bundle Hunting

Publisher bundles: Look for bundles from your favorite publishers – they often offer better value than buying individual games
Complete packs: If you want multiple games from a series, check if there’s a complete pack available
Franchise bundles: These bundle multiple games from the same franchise at a significant discount

4. Research Before You Buy

Check review scores: Don’t let a low price tempt you into buying a poorly reviewed game
Watch gameplay videos: I always watch gameplay videos before buying, even during sales
Read recent reviews: Some games improve significantly after launch with patches and updates

5. Set a Budget

Determine your spending limit: Before any major sale, I set a clear budget
Prioritize must-haves: Buy your most wanted games first
Leave room for surprises: Keep some budget available for unexpected great deals

Common Steam Sale Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made plenty of mistakes during Steam sales over the years. Learn from my experience and avoid these common pitfalls:

1. Impulse Buying

Just because a game is 90% off doesn’t mean you should buy it. I’ve accumulated dozens of games I’ve never played because they were “too good to pass up.” Before buying, ask yourself:

Will I actually play this game?
Do I have time for it?
Is it a genre I genuinely enjoy?

2. Ignoring Regional Pricing

Steam prices vary by region, and sometimes you can find better deals by:

Using VPNs (carefully – check Steam’s terms of service)
Comparing prices across different regions
Looking at third-party key sellers (stick to reputable ones)

3. Forgetting About Refunds

Steam offers a generous refund policy:

You can refund games within 14 days of purchase
You must have less than 2 hours of playtime
This gives you a safety net if you buy a game you don’t enjoy

4. Missing Flash Sales

During major sales, Steam often features:

Flash sales: 24-hour deals with extra discounts
Daily deals: Featured games each day
Community choice: Voted-on deals

Check back daily during major sales to catch these special offers.

Steam Sale Rewards and Extras

Many Steam sales offer additional rewards beyond just discounts. Here’s what to look out for:

Trading Cards

During major seasonal sales (especially Summer and Winter), Steam often releases:

Sale-specific trading cards: Earned by purchasing games or participating in sale activities
Badge crafting: Complete sets to earn badges, profile XP, and emoticons
Market value: These cards can be sold on the Steam Community Market

Stickers and Profile Items

Some sales include:

Limited-time stickers: Collectible stickers for your Steam profile
Profile backgrounds: Exclusive backgrounds available only during the sale
Emoticons: Chat emoticons themed around the sale

Points Shop

Steam’s Points Shop often features:

Sale-themed items: Special profile decorations during sales
Animated stickers: Limited-time animated stickers
Exclusive backgrounds: Rare backgrounds only available during sales

2026 Platform-Specific Steam Sale Information

Steam Deck Considerations

If you’re a Steam Deck owner, keep in mind:

Steam Deck verified games: Look for the Steam Deck compatibility icon
Performance optimization: Some games run better than others on Steam Deck
Controller-friendly games: Prioritize games that work well with controllers

VR Gaming Sales

For VR enthusiasts:

VR-specific discounts: Many sales feature additional discounts on VR titles
Bundle deals: VR hardware and software bundles often appear during sales
Compatibility checking: Ensure VR games are compatible with your headset

Mac and Linux Gaming

While Windows is the primary platform:

Mac-compatible games: Look for the Mac compatibility icon
Linux support: Some games offer native Linux support
Proton compatibility: Many Windows games work on Linux through Proton

How to Check if a Game is on Sale?

Here’s my step-by-step process for checking Steam sale prices:

1. Visit the Steam Store

Go to store.steampowered.com
Look for the current sale banner on the homepage
Browse the “Specials” section for all discounted games

2. Use Steam’s Search and Filters

Use the search bar to find specific games
Apply filters for:
- Discounts (e.g., “50% off or more”)
- Genres
- User reviews
- Release dates

3. Check Third-Party Price Trackers

I use these websites to track historical prices:

SteamDB: Shows price history and historical lows
IsThereAnyDeal: Tracks prices across multiple stores
GG.deals: Compares prices and shows historical data

4. Set Up Price Alerts

On Steam: Use the wishlist notification system
On third-party sites: Set up email alerts for price drops
Browser extensions: Some extensions notify you of price drops

FAQ: Steam Sales (March 2026)

When exactly do Steam sales start and end?

All Steam sales start and end at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (1:00 PM Eastern Time). This timing is consistent across all Steam sales and festivals, so make sure to convert this to your local time zone.

What’s the biggest Steam sale of the year?

The Winter Sale (December 18 – January 5) is typically the biggest Steam sale of the year, featuring the deepest discounts and the widest selection of games. The Summer Sale (June 26 – July 10) is a close second.

How often does Steam have major sales?

Steam has four major seasonal sales per year: Spring Sale (March), Summer Sale (June), Autumn Sale (September/October), and Winter Sale (December/January). Additionally, there are numerous genre-specific festivals and Next Fest events throughout the year.

Do Steam sales have the same discounts every year?

No, discounts vary from year to year and even from sale to sale. Publishers set their own discount levels, and newer games typically have smaller discounts (10-30%) while older games can see discounts up to 90% off.

Can I get a refund if I buy a game and it goes on sale later?

Steam’s refund policy allows refunds within 14 days of purchase with less than 2 hours of playtime. However, if you buy a game and it goes on sale shortly after, you can contact Steam support – they sometimes provide the difference as store credit.

Are Steam sale prices the same worldwide?

No, Steam prices vary by region due to different economic factors, taxes, and purchasing power. Some regions may have better deals than others, but Steam has implemented measures to prevent widespread region hopping for better deals.

How do I know if a Steam sale price is good?

Use price tracking websites like SteamDB, IsThereAnyDeal, or GG.deals to check a game’s price history. These sites show you the historical low price and help you determine if the current discount is truly a good deal.

Do all games go on sale during Steam sales?

No, not all games participate in Steam sales. While the vast majority of games do offer discounts during major seasonal sales, some publishers choose not to discount their games, especially very recent releases.

What’s the difference between Steam Sales and Steam Fests?

Steam Sales focus primarily on discounts and price reductions, while Steam Fests (like Next Fest) focus on game discovery, demos, and upcoming titles. However, many Fests do include discounts on participating games.

How long do I have to wait between Steam sales?

There’s almost always a Steam sale or festival happening. The longest gap between major events is typically 2-3 weeks, and there are often smaller genre-specific sales filling the gaps between major seasonal sales.

Final Thoughts

Steam sales are an incredible opportunity to build your gaming library without spending a fortune. With this comprehensive guide, you now have all the information you need to make the most of every Steam sale in 2026 and beyond.

Remember to bookmark this page and check back regularly, as I’ll keep it updated with the latest Steam sale dates and information. The world of PC gaming is always evolving, and staying informed about sales events is key to being a smart gamer.

Happy gaming, and may your Steam wishlist grow with amazing deals!

This article was last updated in March 2026 and will be refreshed with the latest Steam sale information as soon as new dates are announced by Valve.