Guide to the Neopian Times

Prizes

With the publishing of some issues of the NT come rewards for those who got their entries accepted; not only do you get a trophy for each entry of yours that get into the Neopian Times, but you'll also receive an item prize, or sometimes two!

The user who submitted the piece will receive their prize and trophy alongside their acceptance Neomail. Any collaborators will receive their prize and trophy after the issue is published, as these are awarded manually by TNT. Collaborators do not receive acceptance Neomails.

If this is not your first time being published, your trophy will update on your userlookup to include a multiplier beneath it, indicating your total number of publications.

Neopian Times
10xCHAMPION!!!

Regular Prizes

As of issue 1000 in January 2024, users will receive a random item from the current Creative Contests prize pool for each publication they are accepted into. As mentioned above, the submitter will receive their prize when the piece is accepted, and any collaborators will receive their prize after the issue is published.

Prior to this, users only received item prizes for themed editions or milestone issues.

Active Creative Contest Prizes »

Exclusive Prizes

As early as December 2024, the Creative Contests prize pool was expanded for the Neopian Times only to include some previously retired Neopian Times-themed items. These items have not been reported to be received after winning any other Creative Contest.

Avatars

Of course, with something as big as the Neopian Times you've got to have more than that, right? Right! There are also avatars to be won—two, in fact.

Bonus Prizes

Users who are lucky enough to be published in a milestone issue or a themed edition will receive a bonus prize. This is awarded in addition to your regular prize from the shared Creative Contests prize pool.

Unlike the regular item prize, bonus prizes are awarded for all users after the issue is published. If you are the submitter, this can result in your two prizes being delivered several days apart. Collaborators will receive both prizes simultaneously. All winners (i.e. submitters and collaborators) will be notified of their bonus prize via Neomail.

Milestone Issue Prizes

A milestone issue is any issue ending in the number 00, 25, 50, or 75 (e.g. 975, 1025, etc). Prior to issue 950, these occurred every 50th or 100th issue. The prize for these issues has been standard since issue 650. For information on past milestone issue prizes, check out the historical prizes section.

Themed Issue Prizes

Most themed issues have set bonus prizes. Certain annual themes no longer have bonus prizes (e.g. April Fools', Grey Day), or do not have predictable prizes (e.g. user collab). The bonus prize for the user collab theme is different each time, as it is tailored to that issue's specific theme. You can view past user collab prizes in our "historical prizes" section.

Historical Prizes

While the Times did not start awarding prizes for every single publication until issue 1000, quite a few issues prior to that were lucky enough to receive one. Several of these items are unique to the Neopian Times and thus incredibly rare.

Random Prizes

Snowflake, the first editor to begin regularly distributing prizes, sometimes awarded them for seemingly no reason at all! Issue 122 was the first issue of a new year (Year 7), so perhaps she was simply looking to continue spreading some holiday joy. Issue 148 was the first in the month of Swimming, which could be the source of Snowflake's aquatic inspiration. Whatever the reason, the prizes were certainly welcomed and appreciated by their recipients.

Milestone Issues

Beginning with issue 100, milestone issues were awarded special prizes. For the most part, these were unique Neopian Times-themed items that were available nowhere else on the site. As of issue 650, the prize has been standardized. Additionally, as of December 2024, some of these previously exclusive items have been re-released into the pool of potential prizes you can receive after being published in any issue.

Sometimes prizes marked a non-numerical milestone. The Tyrannian Paint Brush, for example, was handed out to mark the departure of Mr. Shankly as Editor. The White Petpet Paint Brush was awarded to everyone published the week the White Weewoo was released, as Neopian Times writers on the Neopian Times Writers' Forum (NTWF) were the driving force behind it becoming a real item. And lastly, a Framed Neopian Times was handed out to users in issue 149, to commemorate the final issue on the "old" layout, as the Times transitioned to its present-day layout starting with issue 150.

Themed Issues

Most of the themed issues awarded a variety of different prizes over the years, before they settled on their current prize. Additionally, there are several themes that are no longer done on an annual basis, or only occurred a few times. Some of these themes are not known to ever have awarded prizes—Chocolate Chia Day (issues 482 & 533), Tyrannian Victory Day (issue 644), and the Annual Usuki Doll Convention (issues 406 and 558).

Annual Chocolate Ball

Per the Neopedia, the Chocolate Ball is the "ultimate high-society event". It's a grand, invite-only party held inside the Chocolate Factory, and serves the most delicious of treats. This fun theme happened four times over the years—in issues 410, 461, 512, and 562.

April Fools'

Although it is a theme that occurs annually, the April Fools' edition has only awarded a prize once—for its first issue, 135. The editor at the time, Snowflake, originally planned to award all users a Blue Wocky Gnome. After awarding it to only one lucky user, she apparently changed her mind and gave everyone a Meepit instead! Upon realizing the gnome was valued at about 2,000,000 NP (that's quite a bit for Year 6!), Snowflake retracted the gift and it was gno more.

Faerie Festival

The Faerie Festival is another annual party, occurring in Faerieland of course. This theme received three issues—513, 563, and 613.

Festival of Neggs (Easter)

The Festival of Neggs did not become an official site event until Year 12, but was used as a Times theme as early as Year 10, or issue 335. Earlier issues were simply referred to as Easter editions. While issue 437 received the Festival of Neggs-themed layout, it was actually the April Fools' edition for that year.

Fyora Day

In an interesting move, the first Fyora edition (issue 193) gave users one of four different prizes—it was a surprise! Fyora Day is one of the earliest themes for the Times, and one of the few that continues to this day.

Gadgadsbogen

There is only one issue that has been formally dedicated to Gadgadsbogen, issue 537! It's fairly unique that it awarded a prize, as all other themes with 2 or fewer issues did not.

Grey Day

Another one of the longer-running themes, Grey Day only awarded prizes for a short period of time. Perhaps the editors realized that leaving us disappointed and prizeless was, in fact, a themed result.

Please note that issues 338, 590, and 1006 reportedly did not award a prize.

Halloween

Halloween is possibly the longest-running theme in the Times, dating all the way back to issue 63! Although it was the first Halloween edition to award a prize, issue 114 did not give a spooky-themed prize. Instead, users were given a White Petpet Paint Brush to celebrate the release of the White Weewoo.

Please note that issue 755 reportedly did not award a prize.

Holiday

The second longest-running theme, the holiday or Christmas edition, has awarded a large variety of prizes over the years. It was even the original source of the coveted Neopian Times Coin, which was released in issue 170 and then not again until issue 650 (nearly 10 years later!). Today, users receive a much less exciting prize—a White Paint Brush.

Illusen Day (Green)

Illusen's theme is also known as the "Green" edition, opening a wide door for users and their creativity. While you may see stories about Illusen herself, you might also find articles about Neogardens, green characters (such as Dr. Sloth), green outfits, and more.

Jhudora Day

Unlike her counterpart Illusen, our favourite misunderstood faerie Jhudora only had a short-lived run in the Times. She was given a dedicated theme for only seven issues.

Mutant Day

Mutant Day was also a rather short lived theme, originally running for only five issues. It was brought back two years later, for issue 659, and then as an unofficial user collab in issue 943.

Please note that issue 357 reportedly did not award a prize.

Neopets' Birthday

The birthday theme began in Year 11, with Neopets' 10th birthday, and has continued annually since. Currently the earliest known prize for this edition was in Year 16, with issue 669.

Pleaes note that issue 707 reportedly did not award a prize.

Petpet Appreciation Day

Petpet Appreciation Day is interesting in that it is the only theme to be discontinued for an extended period of time, and then return as a regular theme that continues to this day. After occurring annually for seven years, its last issue was 648 in Year 16 before it took a nearly 10 year hiatus until returning in issue 985.

Sloth Appreciation Day

Similar to Mutant Day, Sloth Appreciation Day didn't last long. It ran for only four issues—426, 477, 528, and 577.

Please note that issue 528 reportedly did not award a prize.

Valentine's Day

Last but not least, Valentine's Day! Along with Halloween and the holiday (Christmas) edition, this is one of the few themes that dates back to the "old" Neopian Times (aka pre-issue 150). It has awarded a variety of mostly red and pink items over the years.

Please note that issue 719 reportedly did not award a prize.

User Collabs

As discussed in our main guide, the user collab is a special theme decided by the users on the Neopian Times Writers' Forum (NTWF). These collabs occur roughly every 10-20 issues, starting with issue 634. The prize for each of these issues is tied to the specific theme selected, and is therefore different every time.

Please note that issues 676, 715, 738, and 752 reportedly did not award a prize.

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This page was written by noileh and last updated on May 2, 2025.