Which annual event opens the story of Paper Mario: Sticker Star?

Which annual event opens the story of Paper Mario: Sticker Star? The answer is Sticker Fest.

Sticker Fest is the annual event that begins the story of Paper Mario: Sticker Star. The celebration takes place in Decalburg as residents gather for the arrival of the Sticker Comet, whose Royal Stickers are believed to grant wishes.

Princess Peach presents the comet while the Toads prepare to make wishes. Bowser interrupts the ceremony, breaks the comet into six pieces, and scatters the Royal Stickers across the Mushroom Kingdom. One fragment lands on Bowser himself, while Mario is knocked unconscious during the chaos. This disaster launches Mario’s search for the scattered stickers.

Sticker Fest is not the same event as the Origami Festival in Paper Mario: The Origami King. The Origami Festival belongs to a later game and has a different plot, even though both stories begin with a celebration involving Princess Peach. Paint Festival and Star Carnival are not the canonical names of Sticker Star’s opening event.

The festival also explains the game’s central wish-granting mythology and introduces Kersti, the sticker companion who helps Mario pursue the Royal Stickers.