The festive season is upon us, and Pokémon GO is celebrating with a two-part Holiday event! Holiday Part 1 kicks off on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. and runs until Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 9:59 a.m. local time. This event brings a flurry of festive features, including a costumed Pokémon debut, exciting raids, winter-themed Pokémon encounters, and bonuses like double XP and halved hatch distances. Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or just starting your Pokémon journey, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this holiday extravaganza. So bundle up, grab your phone, and get ready to explore the winter wonderland of Pokémon GO!
This year, Niantic is bringing the holiday spirit to the world of Pokémon GO with a special event designed to spread cheer and encourage trainers to explore their neighborhoods. Why? Because exploring is what Pokémon GO is all about! This event offers a chance to catch rare and festive Pokémon, complete unique challenges, and earn valuable rewards. With the added bonus of increased XP and reduced hatch distances, it’s the perfect time to level up your trainer profile and expand your Pokémon collection.
Festive Features and Bonuses
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect during the Holiday Part 1 event:
- Double Catch XP: Level up faster by earning twice the XP for every Pokémon you catch.
- Reduced Hatch Distance: Eggs placed in Incubators during the event will hatch in half the usual distance.
- Costumed Pokémon Debut: A brand-new costumed Pokémon will be making its appearance! Keep your eyes peeled for Holiday Attire Dedenne.
Winter Wonderland Encounters
Prepare to encounter a variety of winter-themed Pokémon in the wild, including some festive favorites and a debuting Shiny:
- Increased Wild Encounters: Pokémon like Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Diglett, Snover, and Cryogonal will be appearing more frequently.
- Shiny Sandygast Debut: For the first time in Pokémon GO, you’ll have a chance to encounter a Shiny Sandygast!
Exciting Raid Battles
Challenge yourself with a variety of festive raids featuring Pokémon dressed in their holiday best:
- One-Star Raids: Encounter Winter Carnival Pikachu, Holiday Psyduck, and Holiday Dedenne.
- Three-Star Raids: Battle Holiday Beartic, and Frillish in their festive costumes.
- Mega Raids: Take on Mega Latias and Mega Latios.
Hatching Holiday Surprises
7 km Eggs will offer a chance to hatch some adorable Pokémon, including some rare and costumed ones:
- Festive Hatches: Hisuian Growlithe, Summer Outfit Pichu, Holiday Scarf Seel, Holiday Ribbon Cubchoo, Amara, and Crabrawler will be hatching from 7 km Eggs.
Engaging Challenges and Research
- Field Research Tasks: Complete event-themed Field Research tasks to encounter festive Pokémon.
- Paid Timed Research: For US$2.00 (or the equivalent in your local currency), you can access event-exclusive Timed Research. This Timed Research offers rewards like Premium Battle Passes, an Incubator, Stardust, and encounters with event-themed Pokémon.
- Collection Challenges: Tackle event-themed Collection Challenges focused on catching and raiding specific Pokémon. Completing these challenges will reward you with Stardust, Poké Balls, and Great Balls.
My Holiday Event Plans
Personally, I’m most excited about the debut of Shiny Sandygast. I’ve been wanting this Shiny for a long time, and I’m planning to dedicate a good chunk of time to hunting for it. I’m also looking forward to stocking up on 7 km Eggs to try and hatch a Shiny Hisuian Growlithe. Of course, I won’t miss the opportunity to grab some snapshots of the costumed Pokémon for my collection.
Pro Tip: Remember that Timed Research expires! Make sure to complete the tasks and claim your rewards before Friday, December 27, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Don’t forget: The Holiday fun continues with Part 2 of the event! Stay tuned for more details.
This Holiday Part 1 event promises a delightful blend of festive cheer and exciting challenges. So, grab your warmest coat, gather your friends, and get ready to celebrate the holidays with Pokémon GO!
Add Comment