Let's say someone has never played any of the Splatoon games but irrationally wants to now because Zelda. Assuming they bought the game tomorrow, is there anything they should make sure to do before the event (besides figuring out how to play)?
There is a pretty beefy single player campaign available by going down the manhole that an oldman is hiding in. The game will specifically point him out so you can't miss him. I would suggest doing this single player before anything. It's pretty easy, gives you a variety of weapons to practice and scenarios to use them, and plenty of items that you can redeem in the main game like tickets that earn you more experience or money. Before going online, visit the General Store and they should give you a catalog. This will give you prizes and cosmetics and different victory poses. When starting out, most modes and weapons are locked out to you and unlock as you level up so using exp+ tickets from the single player will help you unlock them faster. Most things won't open until you reach level 4, but the weapon shop unlocks items for purchase every level you earn up to level 30. But you can hop directly online from the start if you want. There isn't any advantage to completing single player in regards to online play other than getting used to the controls
I would advise using motion controls more than anything and a big reason for the single player mode is to give you a controlled space to teach you motion controls. But if they are just unbearable even after multiple days of using them, you can turn them off if that makes things easier to play, but the game is a lot easier and you'll be more effective in games if you make the effort to get used to them
For the Splatfest event itself, the week before will be the in-game announcement, so next week around April 28. At this point you can pick your team using a giant TV next to the manhole leading to the single player at the bottom of the starts in the plaza square. You will be given a shirt that you will be forced to use during the Splatfest the following week. After you pick your team the event has started and as you play the online games, you will earn Conch Shells. These allow for free pulls from the prize dispenser in the Lobby and earning these shells count toward picking the winner of the Splatfest occurring May 5th
So the event technically starts April 28
During the Splatfest on May 5, it is 48 hours where you will play games of Turf War versus players that picked opposite choices than you. There are two types of modes, Open and Pro. Open is considered the more relaxed mode where you earn points for your team even if you lose and you can play with your friends if you want. Pro is considered the more difficult mode as it is all or nothing where losing earns you 0 points for your team but you earn a lot more points for your team if you win. After 24 hours, we will get the half-time results where they announce which team is in the lead. During the remaining 24 hours a new mode unlocks, Tri-Color battle, and this is where the Triforce shaped map will be played. All three teams will be playing in this mode with four players on one team, the Defenders, against two teams of two players each, the Attackers. Attackers will want to claim the Ultra Signal at the middle of the map to place a giant sprinkler that will paint a section of the map for the rest of the game. The goal of a Defender will be to keep the Attackers from getting that Signal. It's still Turf War in the end and the goal is to paint more than the opposing team but things to note; if you're an Attacker the goal is to paint more than the Defender team so try to avoid killing the other Attacker Team. This hasn't really sunk in with players at large so don't be surprised if the other Attacker team tries to kill you. During Tri-color the team roles are randomized so you may be on Defender or Attacker position regardless of the half-time results.
All categories during the Splatfest (Open / Pro / Tricolor) factor into the final results along with which team won the sneak peak the week before the event (the team that earned the most conch shells between April 28 and May 5 when the Splatfest begins) and which team had the most votes, so be sure to play around the different modes.
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