Genshin Impact update 5.6 release date, story, and events revealed

It’s time to return home: Genshin Impact 5.6 takes players back to Mondstadt for the Windblume Festival, but things are decidedly less peaceful than last time around — hordes of monsters are on the march and Albedo is on trial for murder. 

With Grandmaster Varka, Deacon Dahlia, and the Hexenzirkel all getting involved in the affair as well, things sure are escalating quickly. Fortunately, you can look forward to some more relaxing activities as well, such as managing a theme park or taking part in a cooking contest.

Find the full details on the Genshin Impact update 5.6 release date, story, and events below.

Genshin Impact 5.6: release date and trailer

Update 5.6 for Genshin Impact will be released on May 7, 2025, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, and Android.

Find the trailer below:

Genshin Impact 5.6: story and characters

In the Archon Quest “Interlude Chapter: Act IV – Paralogism” the Traveler returns to Mondstadt to experience yet another Windblume Festival, but the situation in the City of Freedom is tense, as the alchemist Albedo is on trial for murder and other crimes. Meanwhile, the monsters in the area become more and more active, even going so far as to assault the city. As Varka and the Hexenzirkel get involved, the Traveler won’t be able to simply sit around and watch the action unfold from the sidelines.

In the Story Quest “Dulciaria Structura Chapter: Act I” the Traveler will get to learn more about Escoffier, a notorious chef from Fontaine, and even take part in a cooking contest with her.

Escoffier is the new 5-Star character on the Genshin Impact 5.6 banners. She’ll be joined by the renowned veterinarian Ifa from Natlan. Ifa and several other characters from the Nation of War will be coming to Fontaine as part of the update’s flagship event. Kinich and Ororon will be on board alongside Escoffier, Navia, Furina, Wriothesley, and Neuvillette.

Genshin Impact 5.6: events

Genshin Impact 5.6 will feature the following events:

• Whirling Waltz – A new management sim event in which players manage a theme park in Fontaine; rewards include a 4-Star Bow and Primogems.
• Operation Downpour Simulation – A new wargame in which players use units to attack or defend fortified bases, similar to Clash of Clans; rewards include Primogems.
• Legends Ablaze: Cross-Border Brawl – A multiplayer mode in which players compete to collect coins, using the powers of Saurians and Natlan’s characters; rewards include Primogems.
• Chronicle of Shifting Stratagems – A combat event focused on testing different team compositions; rewards include Primogems.
• Ley Line Overflow – Double drops from Lay Line Blossoms.

Genshin Impact 5.6: features

Both Genius Invokation TCG and Imaginarium Theater will receive updates in Version 5.6. The selection of Brilliant Blessings should be a bit easier in Imaginarium Theater in the future, as the developers have reworked how information about these buffs is presented. A restart button will also be available at the end of a run, in case players want to try for a higher rating.

Further optimizations have been made to the Talent and Constellation screens with tooltips now elaborating on important mechanics.

Players can also use the Treasure Compass to find Warrior Challenges and Tribal Secrets in Natlan starting with Version 5.6, provided they have enough Exploration Progress. This’ll make the life of completionists easier.

Finally, players will be able to mass-deleted map pins instead of having to clean their map pin by pin.