You're sprinting through Customs, heart hammering against your ribs because you’ve got a GPU in your pouch and zero stamina left. Then you see it. A giant, shimmering Christmas tree right in the middle of a warzone. It feels fake. It feels like bait. But in Escape from Tarkov, the Hide in Plain Sight quest is a very real, very seasonal headache that forces you to visit these festive landmarks across nearly every major map.
Most players treat the holidays in Tarkov as a time to farm ornaments and craft ledx in the hideout. Honestly, that’s fair. But Ragman has other plans for you.
What is the Hide in Plain Sight Quest?
This isn't your standard "kill 15 scavs with a Makarov" type of mission. Hide in Plain Sight is a time-limited event quest that pops up during the Tarkov winter event. It’s basically a deadly sightseeing tour. Ragman wants you to locate and "visit" the Christmas trees on six different maps.
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The maps? Customs, Woods, Shoreline, Interchange, Reserve, and Lighthouse.
Don't let the name fool you. You aren't actually "hiding." You're standing next to a giant neon sign that screams "PLEASE SNIPE ME" to every PMC within a 400-meter radius. It’s a classic Battlestate Games move—taking something cheerful and turning it into a catalyst for a mental breakdown.
Every Christmas Tree Location You Need
You don’t need to survive and extract in the same raid you visit the tree, which is a massive relief. You just need to get close enough for the sub-task to tick over. If you die ten seconds later? Doesn't matter. The progress stays.
Customs: The Sniper Roadblock Trap
On Customs, the tree is situated near the Sniper Roadblock scav extract. If you’re coming from the Big Red side, you’ll cross the main bridge and look toward the riverbank near the crossroads. It’s right by the little shack where people often plant cameras for "Informed Means Armed."
It is a terrible place to linger.
Woods: Sawmill Chaos
Go to the Sawmill. You know, that place where Shturman likes to triple-tap you from a bush? The tree is right in the center of the lumber camp, usually near the large red warehouse. It’s wide open. If you’re doing this during the day, may God have mercy on your soul.
Shoreline: Resort Life
This one is actually kind of easy if you’re already a Resort runner. The tree sits outside the West Wing of the Health Resort. It’s in the courtyard area. Usually, the sound of 60-round mags dumping inside the building provides a nice acoustic backdrop for your quest completion.
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Interchange: The Main Stage
You’ll find this tree outside the main entrance of the ULTRA mall. It’s located by the wooden stage area where you usually have to plant those chunky backpacks for Ragman's other quests. Since this is a high-traffic area for anyone heading to the IDEAL or OLI entrances, expect company.
Reserve: The Helicopter Hub
This is probably the most iconic spot. The tree is right next to the helicopter in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by the Pawn buildings. It’s a sniper’s paradise. You’ll likely hear the music boxes playing festive tunes while you’re prone in the dirt, praying the guy in White Pawn doesn't have a thermal.
Lighthouse: The Convenience Store
Head toward the water treatment plant. Right before the long bridge that leads to the Rogues, there’s a small convenience store and a cluster of houses. The tree is right there. It’s a bit of a trek, but at least you can loot some expensive tech spawns on the way.
Why Bother With This Quest?
The rewards are... okay. You get about 7,000 XP, a bit of Ragman rep, and some Roubles. But the real reason people do Hide in Plain Sight is for the event unlocks and the ornaments. During this event, these trees often drop "Baubles" (Red, Violet, and Silver ornaments).
You take those ornaments back to your Hideout.
You build the Christmas Tree in your stash.
Then, you craft the good stuff.
We’re talking about crafting high-tier ammo, rare keys, or even the Scav Case-exclusive items. If you ignore the event quests, you’re basically opting out of the easiest way to get a LEDX or a Taiga knife during the mid-wipe lull.
Pro Tips for Staying Alive
Look, the "hiding" part of Hide in Plain Sight is a lie. You are a target. If you want to get this done without losing five kits, follow the unwritten rules of Tarkov events:
- Night Raids are King: Most players hunting these trees are doing it for the quest, not for PvP. At night, your silhouette is harder to track, and the glow of the tree actually makes it harder for NVG users to see you if you’re standing right in the light bloom.
- The "Prone and Pray": You don't need to stand there and admire the decorations. Run in, hit the "sub-task complete" notification, and vanish.
- Listen for the Music: The trees play a specific, jingly music loop. Use this to gauge how close you are without having to constantly check a map on your second monitor.
- Ignore the Loot: Sometimes there are gifts under the tree. Honestly? Usually not worth the head-eyes you’ll receive while searching a 2x2 box in the open.
Making the Most of the Tarkov Winter
The Hide in Plain Sight quest usually disappears once the snow melts in-game. If you see the festive lights, get it done early. The servers get progressively more toxic as the event nears its end because everyone is trying to finish their crafts at the same time.
Once you’ve visited all six locations, turn it in to Ragman immediately. It usually leads to a follow-up quest like "Enough Drinks for That One," which keeps the rewards rolling.
Ready to head out? Pack a few Zarya grenades to blind anyone camping the tree and get your sprinting shoes on. The trees aren't going to visit themselves.
Go get your quest progress. Then, get back to the hideout and start crafting those ornaments before the event ends and the world goes back to being a grey, depressing wasteland.