TikTok Launches Holiday Animations and Year in Review Features

TikTok is bringing festive cheer to its platform with a suite of new seasonal features designed to engage users during the holiday season. The social media giant has introduced Christmas-themed animations that activate based on seasonal keywords in searches, comments, and direct messages, allowing users to add a festive touch to their interactions.

Expanding Holiday Content Options

Beyond animated effects, TikTok is launching a dedicated Christmas content hub featuring curated content that uses holiday-related templates, trends, and hashtags. This hub makes it easier for users to discover seasonal content and participate in holiday-themed trends, fostering community connection around Christmas themes. Users can scan through related content and apply similar templates to their own uploads, creating a cohesive holiday experience across the platform.

Year in Review Activation Goes Live

TikTok is also rolling out its personalized “Year in Review” feature, which compiles users’ most meaningful moments and public posts from 2025 into a recap video. Users can then edit and share these summaries to celebrate their year on the platform, adding another layer to year-end engagement.

These launches come at a significant time for TikTok, which has navigated threats of U.S. bans and regional restrictions while maintaining its user base. Reports suggest the platform may be implementing a local sell-off agreement with U.S. regulators. As TikTok looks ahead to 2026, these seasonal activations highlight the platform’s commitment to user engagement while it expands in-stream shopping capabilities and AI features, ensuring it remains the dominant social platform for younger audiences.

Nirav Joshi: