Steam Sales
Steam Sale Schedule
Valve runs several major sales every year on a well-established schedule. Sale dates are announced ahead of time through Steamworks, and developers prepare their discounts for these events.
- Lunar New Year Sale — February. Tied to Chinese New Year, lasts about one week
- Spring Sale — March. Runs for about two weeks, one of the major sales of the year
- Summer Sale — Late June to early July. The biggest sale of the year, about two weeks, thousands of games discounted
- Halloween Sale — Late October. Focus on horror and themed games, about one week
- Autumn Sale — Late November, around Thanksgiving. Coincides with The Steam Awards nominations
- Winter Sale — Late December to early January. The second biggest sale, about two weeks, coincides with The Steam Awards voting
Steam Sale Shopping Tips
- Check price history — Use our Steam Price Checker to make sure the discount is real and compare prices across regions
- No rush to buy — Since 2015, prices don't change during the sale. Flash deals are gone — buy on any day you want
- Use your wishlist — Steam sends notifications when wishlist games go on sale. Fill your wishlist ahead of time
- Compare stores — Sometimes other stores offer Steam keys cheaper, even during a sale. Check alternatives
- Bundles save more — Game bundles often give extra discounts on top of individual game discounts
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Steam sale?
The countdown to the next sale is shown at the top of this page. Steam runs major sales 4–6 times per year on a predictable schedule: Spring (March), Summer (June–July), Autumn (November), Winter (December–January), plus Halloween (October) and Lunar New Year (February).
How long do Steam sales last?
Major sales (Summer and Winter) last about two weeks. Spring and Autumn sales run for one to two weeks. Halloween and Lunar New Year sales last about one week. Publisher promotions and themed sales run from a few days to a week.
Do prices change during a sale?
No. Since 2015, Valve removed flash deals and daily deals. The price you see on day one of the sale will remain the same until the last day. Buy whenever it's convenient for you.
Which Steam sale is the biggest?
By scale — the Summer and Winter sales. They last longer, feature more games, and Valve often runs parallel events (voting, challenges). However, individual game discounts are usually the same across all sales.
Should I wait for a major sale?
Not necessarily. Most publishers set the same discounts for every sale. If a game is discounted during a smaller sale, go ahead and buy it. The exception: new releases may get their first-ever discount during a major sale.
Are there Steam discount codes?
Steam doesn't use promo codes or coupons in the traditional sense. However, Steam occasionally gives out game-specific coupons during events or promotions. Valve Points can also be exchanged for discounts in the Points Shop.