Deep Rock Galactic’s Hoxxes Halloween 2026 will run from October 22 to November 5, bringing new Straw Boss headgear and a chance to collect hats from every previous edition. Flying skulls will also return, with a Performance Point bonus for bringing one back.
The team’s October 16 announcement sets out separate assignments for the new and returning cosmetics. That gives players a choice based on what they want to collect: this year’s addition, rewards they missed, or both.
Straw Boss and past Halloween hats have separate unlocks
Straw Boss is the new headgear announced for this year’s event. Earning it requires completing the event’s special assignment, so players interested in the new cosmetic have a specific completion goal during Hoxxes Halloween.
The returning collection is tied to Last Year’s Horrors. Complete that assignment before November 5 to receive headgear from all previous Hoxxes Halloween events. Despite its name, the assignment’s announced rewards extend beyond the most recent edition.
That broader selection makes the returning assignment useful for anyone with gaps across several Halloween events. The catch is the separate unlock requirement: completing Last Year’s Horrors earns the older headgear, while Straw Boss requires the special assignment. Collecting both means completing the corresponding assignments during the event.
Flying skulls bring a conditional bonus
Bringing back a flying skull will grant a Double Performance Point Bonus. The action matters: the announced reward is tied to returning a skull, rather than a blanket promise of doubled experience throughout Halloween. It gives players another event objective alongside the assignments for cosmetic rewards.
Back at the Space Rig, pumpkins and ghosts will provide the seasonal decorations. The hub’s Halloween makeover accompanies the activities and rewards, giving the celebration a presence between outings as well as objectives to complete.
The announced schedule runs through November 5
The Steam announcement lists the start as October 22 at 13:00 CET and the finish as November 5 at 13:00 CET. Both times carry the “CET” label in the announcement; that is the published schedule, without a local-time conversion.
For players catching up on past cosmetics, Last Year’s Horrors offers the broadest collection announced for this event, with completion required before November 5. Those focused on this year’s new reward have a different target: finish the special assignment to unlock Straw Boss.
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