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| Pictured - an official screenshot from Light Up the Town with the protagonist of the game - Bean, the ferret. |
In a snowy Colorado town, a young ferret named Bean discovers that holiday lights are more than just decorations—they're the warm glow of community spirit, and she's about to light up the entire town.
A screenshot from Light Up The Town showing the main character, Bean, decorating a house with festive lights in the snow-covered town of Bellflower, Colorado.
As the holiday season settles in, a new game is spreading digital cheer across Steam, inviting players into a charming world of festive lights and heartwarming community. Light Up The Town, released on December 7, 2025, has quickly climbed Steam's "Popular New Releases" chart just in time for Christmas.
Developed by the indie team at Meadow Studios, this cozy holiday decorating simulator offers a short, accessible holiday experience at an affordable price point, perfect for those seeking a few evenings of seasonal entertainment.
A Festive Story with Heart
The game's narrative centers on Bean, an adorable young ferret whose father, Chuck—the town's regular electrician—has been injured and can no longer handle the holiday decorating duties. With Bellflower's annual Winter Festival fast approaching and a blizzard threatening to disrupt the celebrations, it falls to Bean to light up the entire town.
The story unfolds through beautifully rendered cutscenes and interactions with townsfolk who appreciate Bean's efforts. As one reviewer noted, "The townsfolk are very appreciative of Bean and her quest to light up the town, they may even give you decorations and lights if you talk to them enough".
Simple Yet Satisfying Gameplay Mechanics
Light Up The Town thrives on accessibility and creative freedom. The core mechanic is wonderfully straightforward: click anywhere in the environment to "throw" string lights and decorations. There's no complex wiring or power management to worry about—wherever you place lights, they simply work.
The game features:
- 15+ handcrafted levels set across different areas of Bellflower
- Customizable decorations with adjustable size and rotation
- Two viewing perspectives: first-person for navigation, third-person to admire Bean's animations and outfits
- Collectible coins scattered throughout town to unlock new light types and ornaments
Players gradually unlock new areas by raising each neighborhood's "cheer" meter through decorating. The freedom to place decorations virtually anywhere creates surprising moments of joy, as one player discovered when they realized they could "throw lights anywhere... the crazy distance you can chuck the lights"
Audio-Visual Festive Atmosphere
The game creates a truly immersive holiday atmosphere through several thoughtful elements:
Visual Design: Bellflower, Colorado, comes to life with realistic buildings and trees dusted in snow. Bean and the townsfolk have "super expressive faces" that add personality to every interaction.
Sound Design: The soundtrack blends original soaring compositions with recognizable holiday tunes, creating what one reviewer called "a very comforting and calm" experience. The voice acting, particularly for Bean's father, has also received praise.
Seasonal Details: From making snowmen to placing beautifully wrapped packages, the game captures the tangible joys of holiday decorating.
Player Reception and Community Notes
Light Up The Town has earned "Very Positive" reviews on Steam with 475 reviews at the time of writing. Players particularly appreciate:
- The innovative lighting system and creative freedom
- Heartwarming story and atmosphere
- Quality voice acting
Some players have noted minor issues with object placement orientation and occasional bugs, though nothing game-breaking. The game's economy has also been described by some as slightly grindy, and the overall scope is modest—perfect for a few holiday evenings but perhaps limited for players seeking dozens of hours of content.
The Steam community has been active with tips and assistance, such as helping players figure out how to decorate specific areas like the market tree.
Technical Details and Availability
For those interested in trying the game, here are the key details:
Platform and Requirements: Currently available on PC via Steam. The game supports both keyboard/mouse and full controller support, making it accessible for different playstyles.
System Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-3570 or AMD equivalent
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (3GB) or AMD Radeon RX 580 (4GB)
Pricing and Demo: The game is priced at approximately $14.99, with a free demo available for those who want to try before buying. The full playthrough takes around three hours for the main story, with additional time for completionists who want to decorate every corner of Bellflower.
Is Light Up The Town Right For You?
If you're looking for a relaxing, festive experience without combat, time pressures, or complex mechanics, Light Up The Town offers a heartwarming holiday escape. It's particularly appealing for:
- Players seeking short, satisfying gaming sessions
- Holiday enthusiasts who love decorating
- Those who appreciate cozy games with simple controls
- Anyone wanting to get into the holiday spirit through interactive storytelling
The game's demo provides a perfect opportunity to experience the core mechanics before committing to the full purchase. As one player reflected after completing the game, "This game really brought back my Christmas spirit and actually caused me to put up my Christmas lights because Bean is right, they are more than just lights".
For those ready to spread some digital holiday cheer, you can find Light Up The Town on its official Steam page, or check detailed statistics on SteamDB. And if you prefer controller gameplay, consider the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C wireless controller available on Amazon.
