Celeste is presented as a series of challenging platforming levels as the player guides the character up a mountain. The player can move, jump, and dash the character across platforms, but the player can only perform a dash once before touching ground again. The character's hair changes color from red to blue to signify when the dash ability has been depleted. The character can pass through a balloon to replenish her jump mid-air. Collectible strawberries scattered throughout the levels add a score-based competition to the game.