ESO Witches Festival 2026 (Oct 21-Nov 4): Plunder Skulls, Double XP & More

The ESO Witches Festival 2026 is live, bringing bonus XP, Plunder Skulls, and Halloween-themed collectibles to The Elder Scrolls Online. Running from October 21 to November 4, this annual event is a good time to level alternate characters, hunt rare outfit styles, and collect crafting materials. Players preparing for more challenging content can also browse ESO Gold if they want another option for managing their in-game resources.

Whether you are a veteran chasing missing collectibles or a returning player looking to catch up, knowing which rewards to prioritize will save time. Here is what you need to know about ESO Witches Festival 2026, including event dates, Plunder Skulls, new rewards, and farming tips.

ESO Witches Festival 2026 Dates

The event runs from October 21 at 10 AM Eastern Daylight Time until November 4 at 10 AM Eastern Standard Time.

The 100 percent XP bonus applies automatically throughout the festival. You do not need to activate a consumable or use the Witchmother's Whistle to receive it.

How to Start the Witches Festival

Getting started is straightforward. Open the Crown Store and look for the free introductory quest called The Witchmother's Bargain. You can also pick it up from the Crow Caller outside Olyve's Brewery in Glenumbra, Stonefalls, or Auridon.

Complete the quest to obtain the Witchmother's Whistle. Using it summons the Witchmother's Cauldron, which lets your character transform into a skeleton for some seasonal fun.

There is one important detail for returning players. The 100 percent XP bonus applies automatically during the event, so you do not need to use the whistle to activate it. If you completed the introductory quest in a previous year, you can use your existing whistle instead of repeating the quest.

ESO Witches Festival 2026 Rewards

Plunder Skulls are the main reward source during the event. Defeat eligible bosses to earn these containers, which can include alchemy ingredients, furnishing recipes, provisioning recipes, festival-themed items, and outfit style rewards.

Dremora Plunder Skulls offer additional rewards, including the new Zhekleg outfit style pages, Glenmoril Wyrd treasure maps, and Witches Festival writs.

Your first kill of each specific boss type each day can reward a legendary Dremora Plunder Skull and 300 Trade Bars. Subsequent kills of that boss type can still drop regular Plunder Skulls.

Bosses that can drop Plunder Skulls include:

• Delve bosses

• World bosses

• Public dungeon bosses

• Group dungeon final bosses

• Trial bosses

• Arena bosses

• Incursion bosses

• Tho'at Replicanum in the Infinite Archive

The event also features two daily quests:

• Plucking the Crow, designed for smaller groups and featuring the Crowborne Horror.

• The Lord of Fear, designed for larger groups and featuring Lord Hollowjack.

Both quests provide additional opportunities to earn Dremora Plunder Skulls.

Before spending your Trade Bars, visit the Impresario. The vendor offers returning festival rewards and Sanguine-themed collectible fragments, including items connected to the Roseblood Bat pet and Thorn's Bite Withersteed mount.

Best Ways to Farm Plunder Skulls

If you want to make the most of ESO Witches Festival 2026, focus on reliable rewards rather than chasing every drop at once.

First, complete both daily quests on your main character. Then target boss types that you have not defeated that day for their legendary Dremora Plunder Skulls and Trade Bars.

Delve bosses are a practical starting point for solo players because many delves are straightforward to clear. World bosses and group dungeon bosses are alternatives if you are already playing with friends or a guild.

A simple farming routine looks like this:

1. Complete Plucking the Crow and The Lord of Fear.

2. Defeat different boss types to collect daily legendary skulls.

3. Farm accessible bosses for additional Plunder Skulls.

4. Check your inventory and identify which style pages or materials you still need.

5. Spend Trade Bars on the collectibles you actually want.

Remember that rare outfit pages are not guaranteed. Repeating a boss endlessly will not necessarily get you the item you want, so switch activities when the grind stops being worthwhile.

How to Make the Most of Double XP

The automatic 100 percent XP bonus makes this a useful period for leveling alternate characters and progressing toward Champion Points.

Rather than grinding the same activity for hours, combine experience farming with content you already enjoy. Questing, dungeon runs, and suitable combat activities let you make progress while earning event rewards.

Before starting, repair your gear, prepare food and potions, and clear some inventory space. These small steps help you spend more time playing and less time returning to town.

If you also need equipment or materials for your next build, you can browse ESO Items at SSEGold. Always check the current game rules and platform requirements before purchasing anything.

For broader progression updates, see the ESO Season Two guide.

ESO Witches Festival 2026 FAQ

When does the ESO Witches Festival 2026 end?

The event ends November 4, 2026, at 10 AM Eastern Standard Time.

Is there double XP during the Witches Festival?

Yes. All players receive an automatic 100 percent XP bonus while the event is active.

How do you get Dremora Plunder Skulls?

Defeat each eligible type of boss for the first time each day to earn a legendary Dremora Plunder Skull and 300 Trade Bars. The two daily quests provide additional opportunities.

What is new in the 2026 event?

The Zhekleg outfit style is among the featured new rewards. Players can also collect returning cosmetics and Sanguine-themed items from the Impresario.

The ESO Witches Festival 2026 is worth your time if you want bonus XP, collectible outfit styles, and useful crafting rewards. Complete the daily quests first, target different boss types, and check the Impresario before spending your Trade Bars. With the event ending November 4, a focused farming routine is a better bet than grinding without a goal.