The Steam 2026 Summer Sale is live today (June 25) and runs until July 9. There are four major seasonal sales, three Next Fests, and dozens of themed Fests lined up for the rest of the year. Valve has released the full calendar via Steamworks; below you'll find every key date you need to know.

Summer Sale is Live: June 25 – July 9

The biggest Steam sale of the year kicked off on June 25 at 10:00 AM PT (8:00 PM TRT). For two weeks, over 4,000 games are on discount. Looking at the 2024 Summer Sale numbers, the average discount rate is around 45 percent, with popular games at 50–75 percent off and older or indie titles reaching up to 90 percent. Check out the latest releases: Gothic 1 Remake, Resident Evil Requiem, and Crimson Desert are seeing their first major discounts.

Since 2015, Steam sales no longer feature "daily flash deals." The price you see on day one is the same until the last day, so there's no rush. The two-week window is more than enough.

Full Steam 2026 Sale Calendar

This year, Valve made an early move and published the complete calendar for the second half of 2026 back in January. The dates come from Steamworks developer documentation, so these are official, not speculation.

Unlike seasonal sales, Fest events are theme-based. For example, Cyberpunk Fest highlights cyberpunk games, while Steam Scream Fest spotlights horror and thriller titles. Participation is optional, but during Fest weeks, you can expect extra discounts on games matching the theme.

What Is Steam Next Fest and Why Does It Matter?

Steam Next Fest is one of the most valuable events on the Steam calendar, alongside seasonal sales. It's a six-day festival where you can play free demos of upcoming or newly released games, join live streams with developers, and discover your next favorites before launch. The June 2026 edition featured over 4,200 demos, making it the biggest Next Fest ever. The October edition is confirmed in the Steamworks calendar, but dates are not finalized yet.

The logic behind combining Next Fest with seasonal sales is simple: it takes place right before the Summer Sale. Games you try and love during demos are likely to go on sale just a week later. The October Next Fest is also scheduled right before the Autumn Sale.

Autumn Sale: October 1–8

The second major seasonal sale of the year, Autumn Sale, lasts for seven days. It’s not as extensive as the Summer Sale but is the first big discount opportunity after the major fall releases. Steam Awards nominations also usually coincide with this period, so you can vote and shop at the same time.

Winter Sale: December 17 – January 4

The Winter Sale is the second biggest Steam sale of the year, outlasting the Summer Sale with its 18-day window. It starts in mid-December and runs through the first week of the new year. Steam Awards voting happens during this period as well. Discount rates are similar to the Summer Sale, but new fall releases may see fewer or smaller discounts at this stage.

When to Watch for Themed Fests

Seasonal sales cover a wide range, but themed Fests often offer deeper discounts for fans of specific genres. Here are the dates worth waiting for by genre:

• Cyberpunk & dystopian games: Cyberpunk Fest, October 2026.
• Horror & thriller: Steam Scream Fest, late October 2026.
• Survival & crafting: PvE Survival & Crafting Fest, fall 2026.
• Co-op RPG: Party RPG Fest, fall 2026.
• Social deduction & detective: Social Deduction Fest, July 13–16, 2026.
• Train simulation: Train Fest, July 20–27, 2026.

How to Get the Best Price

There are a few key rules for getting the most out of Steam sales:

• Set up your wishlist early. Steam sends email notifications for games on your wishlist when they go on sale. Filling it out before sales begin helps you catch every deal.
• Check price history. Tools like SteamDB show if the current discount is truly the lowest ever. Sometimes, a game will get a deeper discount during a Fest than a seasonal sale.
• Buy in two rounds. For longer events like the Summer Sale, buy your must-haves in the first week, then review your list in the second. This helps avoid impulse buys you might regret.
• Use the refund policy. Steam offers full refunds within 14 days of purchase and under 2 hours of playtime. If you see a lower price after your purchase, you’ll need to refund and rebuy—the system doesn’t automatically refund the difference.
• Check bundles. Publishers like Capcom, EA, and Devolver Digital often offer “Complete the Collection” bundles. The price is automatically adjusted for games you already own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Steam Summer Sale have different deals every day?

No. Since 2015, there are no daily or flash deals. Prices remain fixed throughout the sale—you can buy any day you like.

Are there big discounts during Fest events?

Developers can set whatever discounts they want during Fest weeks. Themed games often see discounts similar to or even deeper than seasonal sales.

When does the Steam Summer Sale end?

It ends on July 9 at 10:00 AM PT (8:00 PM TRT).

Are newly released games discounted in the Winter Sale?

Usually less so. Valve restricts games that have been discounted in the past 28 days from being discounted again in the same period. Most new releases get their first major discount during the Autumn or Winter Sale.