December 2021 marked a focused push toward the WordPress 5.9 release. Core teams finalized testing for Full Site Editing, global styles, and the Twenty Twenty-Two theme, setting the stage for a major shift in visual site design.
The community reconnected through WordCamp Sevilla, the first in-person WordCamp in nearly two years, and State of the Word 2021, streamed live from New York.
On the business front, WP Engine acquired the Frost theme on December 23, making it free and open source to support the future of block-based theming.
The month closed with stability, collaboration, and anticipation for one of WordPress’s biggest updates yet.
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Strategic Investments
December 2021 was quiet for WordPress business activity. The only major move came on December 23, when WP Engine acquired the Frost theme by Brian Gardner and released it as a free, open-source Full Site Editing theme.
The move showed WP Engine’s focus on advancing block-based theming and community collaboration. No other acquisitions or funding rounds were reported that month, marking a stable end to the year as companies focused on refining products over expansion.
WordPress Core Updates
December 2021 focused on preparing for the upcoming WordPress 5.9 release. The core team worked through final beta versions and release candidates, fine-tuning Full Site Editing, global styles, and the new default theme, Twenty Twenty-Two. These updates aimed to make block-based site editing smoother and more intuitive.
The stable version during December remained 5.8.2, which addressed minor bugs and a security fix from November. While users didn’t see a new release that month, the development momentum behind 5.9 showed WordPress’s shift toward a more modern, visual, and editor-driven experience.
Other WordPress News
State of the Word 2021 Unveils Direction
On December 14, 2021, Matt Mullenweg delivered the State of the Word from New York City, with dozens of global watch parties attending virtually. He highlighted WordPress’s growth, previewed new features coming in version 5.9 such as block patterns and global styles, and emphasized the importance of community contributions.
Community Events Return in Person
December marked the return of in-person WordPress gatherings. WordCamp Sevilla took place on December 11–12, becoming the first physical WordCamp in nearly two years. At the same time, WordCamp Taiwan ran virtually, showing how hybrid formats were shaping the new normal for community events.
Team Updates and Community Moves
The Polyglots Team released its December newsletter and confirmed translation readiness for WordPress 5.9. The Test Team also hosted a “Hallway Hangout” on December 21 to discuss early ideas for WordPress 6.0.
Together, these milestones reflected a month of renewal and collaboration, proof that even after long pauses, WordPress’s community spirit remained strong and united.
Security Alerts & Plugin Vulnerabilities
Large-Scale Attack Campaign
In December 2021, security researchers at Wordfence reported a massive attack campaign targeting thousands of WordPress sites. Attackers attempted to gain access through compromised admin accounts and vulnerable plugins, highlighting the importance of strong passwords, updated software, and proactive monitoring.
AMP Plugin Vulnerability
A critical flaw was discovered in the Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) plugin, which affected certain versions and could allow unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability was quickly addressed with a security patch, emphasizing the need for site owners to keep plugins up to date.
WooCommerce Enhancement Plugin XSS Patch
Another notable issue that month involved a stored XSS vulnerability in a plugin designed to enhance WooCommerce functionality. The flaw was patched soon after disclosure, but it served as another reminder that even popular tools can become attack vectors if not properly maintained.
These incidents underscored a familiar pattern, WordPress itself remained secure, while third-party plugins continued to pose the biggest risk. Regular updates and security tools remain essential for keeping sites protected.
Industry Trends & Insights
Shift Toward Full Site Editing
December 2021 confirmed Full Site Editing as the next major evolution for WordPress. Core updates and community discussions centered on block themes, pattern libraries, and theme.json, clear signals that traditional theme structures were giving way to a fully visual editing experience.
Stability Over Expansion
The month also reflected a calmer business climate. With few acquisitions or funding announcements, companies focused on improving performance, refining products, and strengthening user experience instead of rapid growth.
Developer Experience and Standardization
Discussions within the core teams highlighted the need for cleaner workflows and consistent code styling. Proposals to align WordPress’s JavaScript standards with Prettier showed commitment to modernizing the development stack.
Community Reconnection
As in-person WordCamps cautiously returned, contributors reengaged beyond screens. The renewed collaboration reminded everyone that WordPress’s innovation doesn’t just come from code, it grows through shared energy and open dialogue.
Theme of the Month: Astra
Astra earned recognition in December 2021 for its unmatched performance, flexibility, and seamless compatibility with page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Gutenberg. Lightweight yet powerful, Astra continued to be a top choice for businesses and developers who value speed and easy customization.
Its regular updates, growing library of starter templates, and focus on Full Site Editing readiness kept it ahead as one of the most reliable WordPress themes of the year.
Plugin of the Month: OptinMonster
OptinMonster stood out in December 2021 for its continuous improvements in lead generation and conversion optimization. Known for helping site owners grow their email lists and boost engagement, it introduced updated templates and smarter targeting options that made popups and forms feel more personalized.
The plugin’s consistent focus on usability and conversion-driven design kept it ahead as a go-to tool for marketers and businesses aiming to turn visitors into subscribers.
Agency of the Month: Seahawk Media
Seahawk Media earned attention in December 2021 for its strong presence in WordPress design, development, and support. The agency continued expanding its partnerships with major hosting companies while delivering high-quality site builds and maintenance services for global brands.
Its focus on performance optimization and white-label WordPress solutions positioned Seahawk as a trusted partner for agencies and businesses seeking scalable, reliable digital growth.
Host of the Month: DreamHost
DreamHost earned recognition in December 2021 for its consistent uptime, transparent pricing, and strong support for WordPress performance. The company continued refining its managed WordPress hosting platform, emphasizing speed optimization, security monitoring, and built-in backups.
Its open-source advocacy and developer-friendly tools reinforced DreamHost’s reputation as a reliable host for both creators and growing businesses.
Founder of the Month: Brian Gardner
Brian Gardner earned recognition in December 2021 for his role in shaping the future of WordPress theming. His creation, the Frost theme, was acquired by WP Engine and released as a free, open-source Full Site Editing theme.
This move reflected his ongoing commitment to clean design, community collaboration, and the open-source spirit that defines WordPress. Gardner’s influence extended beyond design; he helped set new standards for modern, block-based theme development that continue to inspire creators today.
Looking Ahead to January 2022
As WordPress entered the new year, anticipation built around the long-awaited WordPress 5.9 release, set to introduce Full Site Editing and the Twenty Twenty-Two theme. Developers focused on final testing, theme adjustments, and plugin compatibility to ensure a smooth rollout.
Community discussions also centered on improving accessibility, refining block patterns, and strengthening security standards. With the return of in-person events and renewed collaboration, January 2022 promised to be a month of momentum, innovation, and stronger community engagement.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights as WordPress continues evolving toward a more flexible, design-driven future.