When winter settles in, there is no better time to gather around a table, roll some dice, and dive into a campaign filled with frost, mystery, and just a touch of holiday magic. Whether your adventuring party thrives on eerie tundra battles or whimsical winter festivals, the season offers endless inspiration for memorable sessions. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best winter and holiday-themed campaign ideas, along with Misty Mountain Gaming dice sets that capture their atmosphere perfectly.
1. Frozen Frontiers and Frostbitten Quests
There’s something inherently thrilling about survival in the cold. Harsh environments challenge both characters and players, forcing creative problem-solving and teamwork. If your group loves high-stakes exploration, try setting your campaign in a frozen landscape filled with danger and wonder.
Modules to try:
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Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden (Dungeons & Dragons 5e) – This adventure is the ultimate frozen survival story. Ten-Towns teeters on the edge of despair as the Frostmaiden’s curse locks Icewind Dale in perpetual winter. Expect mysterious cults, ancient magic, and a haunting, snow-covered wilderness.
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The Wild Beyond the Witchlight – Though not exclusively wintry, this module includes festive elements and dreamlike environments that pair beautifully with a holiday setting.
Custom hooks for homebrew:
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A frost giant’s fortress has reappeared after a century buried beneath a glacier. The heroes must uncover why it has returned and what ancient magic it brings.
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A remote village celebrates a winter solstice where the sun rises only once every decade. This year, the light fails to return.
Dice to match the mood:
For icy adventures, reach for dice with cool tones and crystalline finishes. Our Frostbite Prism Glass Dice Set mirror the shimmer of frozen lakes and snowdrifts on your tabletop.
2. Yuletide Mischief and Merrymaking
Not every winter campaign has to be grim or frigid. The holidays are also about joy, community, and the occasional bit of mischief. If your party leans toward lighthearted fun, a festive one-shot or short campaign can bring laughter and cheer to your next game night.
Campaign ideas:
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The Great Gingerbread Heist – A group of halfling bakers needs your help retrieving a magical recipe stolen by a mischievous fey. Expect candy-themed monsters, frosting traps, and plenty of chaotic good energy.
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A Kringle Too Far – Santa’s workshop has gone dark, and the elves have gone rogue. The players must infiltrate the North Pole to restore order before the world’s gift supply runs out.
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Festival of Lights – A city-wide winter festival offers games, food, and celebration, but beneath the joy, someone is sabotaging the event. The players must solve the mystery before the fireworks go off.
Dice to match the mood:
Capture the sparkle of holiday lights and the warmth of festivities with vibrant sets like our Krampus Resin Dice Set, Cleric’s Domain Red And White Metal Dice Set, and our Santa Resin D20. Their shimmer adds a touch of magic to every roll.
3. Ghosts of Winter’s Past: A Chilling Mystery
Winter can also be a time for reflection and haunting tales. If your players enjoy suspense and moral dilemmas, lean into the darker side of the season. Snow can hide more than footprints, and cold nights can bring whispers from beyond the veil.
Hooks and story starters:
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A once-prosperous town now stands empty, its residents vanished overnight. Only their footprints remain in the snow, leading into the nearby woods.
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An old noble invites the party to his estate to celebrate the winter solstice, but every year, a guest disappears.
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A blizzard traps the adventurers in an isolated inn where the guests are not what they seem.
Dice to match the mood:
Choose dice that look as mysterious as your plot. Our Calypso Shattered Glass Dice Set and Blizzard Resin Dice Set add a touch of elegant menace to your sessions, perfect for rolling investigation checks and saving throws against unseen forces.
4. Epic Encounters in the Snow
If your players crave action over mystery, take advantage of how dynamic winter terrain can make combat. Battles on frozen lakes, sleigh chases through pine forests, and snowstorms that obscure vision add natural tension and excitement.
Encounter ideas:
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Avalanche Ambush – Bandits use controlled avalanches to bury travelers and loot what’s left. The party must survive a sudden cascade and fight off the culprits in a blinding snowstorm.
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The Frozen Wyrm – A white dragon guards a treasure buried beneath a mountain of ice. To reach it, the heroes must navigate deadly crevasses, biting winds, and a creature older than civilization itself.
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Sleigh Bells and Steel – A high-speed chase unfolds as the adventurers ride enchanted sleighs across a snowy plain, pursued by relentless ice wraiths.
Dice to match the mood:
Combat-heavy sessions deserve dice that feel weighty and precise. The Diamond Prism Multifaceted Dice Set and Green Fluorite Stone Dice Set combine heft and beauty, perfect for rolling critical hits against monsters of the frozen wilds.
5. Cozy Side Quests for Winter Evenings
Not every session needs to revolve around epic stakes. During the holidays, shorter, cozier one-shots can keep your party connected even when time is tight. These smaller adventures are great for filling schedule gaps between major story arcs or celebrating the season together.
Ideas to try:
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The adventurers are invited to judge a village snow-sculpting contest, but one sculpture is cursed and comes to life.
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A group of Tiefling children ask the party to help find their missing Emberling—a small, fiery elemental creature beloved as their companion—before the Night of Embers Parade begins.
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A local tavern hosts a winter brew competition, and sabotage is afoot among the contestants.
Dice to match the mood:
Use sets that feel homey and thematic, like our Breath of the Strong Acrylic Dice Set, Dragon’s Lair Hollow Metal Dice Set, or Tarot Card Resin Dice Set. Their colors evoke firelight, mulled cider, and the comfort of friendship during the long winter nights.
Roll Into the Season with Misty Mountain Gaming
Winter is the perfect time to gather your favorite people, share a meal, and roll some dice. Whether your campaign is filled with frosty peril, festive celebration, or quiet camaraderie, the right story and the right dice can make every session unforgettable.
Browse Misty Mountain Gaming’s full collection of dice to find sets that capture your world’s atmosphere and bring your adventures to life. From shimmering gemstone designs to weighty metal favorites, there’s a set for every tale you tell this season.
You can watch our video featuring @thedndwannabe with extra tips on how to give your players the holly jolly skill check:
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter DnD Campaigns
What makes a good winter-themed DnD campaign?
A great winter campaign blends atmosphere and challenge. I like to mix elements of survival, mystery, and wonder — things like snow-covered ruins, lost villages, or ancient magic sealed beneath the ice. Cold environments naturally create tension and push players to think creatively.
Which published DnD modules fit the winter theme best?
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden is the ultimate frozen survival story, while The Wild Beyond the Witchlight offers whimsical, festival-like moments that work beautifully for holiday settings. Both can be adapted to suit different tones, from eerie and chilling to bright and celebratory.
How can I create a festive or cozy one-shot for the holidays?
Keep it short, lighthearted, and full of character. I like one-shots that center on community events — winter festivals, snow sculpting contests, or a lost pet quest like The Emberling’s Trail. Add small puzzles or social challenges instead of large combat encounters to keep the tone cheerful and inclusive.
What types of dice fit a winter or holiday-themed campaign?
For icy adventures, I love dice with frosted, crystalline finishes like our Frostbite Prism Glass Dice Set or Blizzard Resin Dice Set. For festive or cozy sessions, vibrant and warm designs like the Krampus Resin Dice Set or Tarot Card Resin Dice Set evoke the feeling of hearthlight and holiday cheer.
How can dice help set the mood of a campaign?
Dice are more than just tools — they’re part of the storytelling. Choosing colors and materials that reflect your campaign’s world helps everyone feel more immersed. Cool-toned glass sets work perfectly for frozen wilderness quests, while gemstone or metal dice add weight and drama to epic encounters.
Can I use winter campaigns for other TTRPG systems besides DnD?
Absolutely. These story ideas translate well to any tabletop RPG. Systems like Pathfinder, 13th Age, or even narrative games like Fate or Dungeon World work beautifully with seasonal adventures. The key is to adapt tone and mechanics to fit your group’s playstyle.
What are some good gift ideas for tabletop players during the holidays?
Premium dice sets make wonderful gifts. Gemstone, metal, and liquid core dice are favorites among collectors. You can also pair a dice set with a padded vault, tray, or display box for an extra thoughtful touch. Dice are timeless — every player loves rolling a new set at the table.
