Pokemon Go is hosting the Winter Holiday event for the festive season, and this year, it will be in two parts, with the bonuses swapping on December 25, 2023.
Winter Holiday Part 1 marks the debut of the Terra Whale Pokemon, Cetoddle and Cetitan, and adds some familiar festive Pokemon for Trainers to enjoy. Of course, there will be more than just Pokemon to catch, and players can enjoy some seasonal raids, event bonuses, and exclusive Timed Research. Here is everything you need to know about Winter Holiday Part 1.
Table of contents
When Does Winter Holiday Part 1 Start?
The Pokemon Go Winter Holiday Part 1 begins on Monday, December 18, 2023, at 10:00 am and runs until Monday, December 25, 2023, at 10:00 am local time.
This means people from New Zealand will have access to the event almost a whole day before those in the United States.
Pokemon Debuts
The Terra Whale Pokemon, Cetoddle and Cetitan, will make their debut in Winter Holiday Part 1. There will also be some new costume-themed Pokemon appearing for the first time during the event. Here are the details.
- Cetoddle
- Cetitan
- Pikachu wearing holiday attire (Shiny Available)
- Raichu wearing holiday attire (Shiny Available)
Event Bonuses
The Event Bonuses in Pokemon Go Winter Holiday Part 1 are entirely up to the player, and you’ll be able to choose what bonuses you receive by completing Timed Research.
- After completing Timed Research, players can choose either double XP or double Stardust for catching Pokemon.
- Increased XP and Stardust from opening Gifts.
Winter Wishes Timed Research Details
The Pokemon Go: Winter Holiday Part 1 will feature Timed Research that is directly linked to bonuses. By completing the Timed Research, Trainers will receive items, encounter winter-themed Pokemon, and make a choice between 2× XP for catching Pokemon or 2× Stardust for catching Pokemon.
The Timed Research will last throughout both parts of the Winter Holiday event, and so will the bonuses.
Wild Encounters
The following Pokemon will appear during the event, and the majority of the Pokemon can be caught as Shiny.
- Pikachu wearing holiday attire (Shiny Available)
- Alolan Sandshrew (Shiny Available)
- Seel (Shiny Available)
- Eevee wearing a holiday hat (Shiny Available)
- Swinub (Shiny Available)
- Stantler wearing a holiday outfit (Shiny Available)
- Spheal wearing a holiday scarf (Shiny Available)
- Galarian Darumaka (Shiny Available)
- Cryogonal (Shiny Available)
- Bergmite (Shiny Available)
- Cetoddle
- Sneasel (Shiny Available)
- Piloswine
- Amaura (Shiny Available)
Raids
With any big Pokemon Go event, unique Pokemon will appear in Raids, and the Winter Holiday Part 1 event is no different. The following Pokemon will be appearing in raids:
One-Star Raids
- Pikachu wearing holiday attire (Shiny Available)
- Alolan Sandshrew (Shiny Available)
- Spheal wearing a holiday scarf (Shiny Available)
- Crabrawler
- Cetoddle
Pikachu wearing holiday attire has a higher Shiny chance in Raids than it does when finding it in the wild.
Three-Star Raids
- Dewgong
- Lapras (Shiny Available)
- Stantler wearing a holiday outfit (Shiny Available)
- Glaceon wearing an Undersea Holiday outfit (Shiny Available)
Eggs
The following Pokemon will hatch from 2km eggs during the Winter Holiday Part 1 event:
- Eevee wearing a holiday hat (Shiny Available)
- Smoochum (Shiny Available)
- Galarian Darumaka (Shiny Available)
- Amaura (Shiny Available)
Eevee wearing holiday attire has a higher Shiny chance when hatching from Eggs than it does when catching it in the wild.
Field Research Task encounters
Trainers can encounter the following Pokemon when they complete particular Field Research Tasks:
- Pikachu wearing holiday attire (Shiny Available)
- Alolan Sandshrew (Shiny Available)
- Shellder (Shiny Available)
- Jynx (Shiny Available)
- Lapras (Shiny Available)
- Delibird wearing a holiday ribbon (Shiny Available)
- Spheal wearing a holiday scarf (Shiny Available)
- Snover (Shiny Available)
- Glaceon wearing an Undersea holiday outfit (Shiny Available)
- Vanillite
- Cubchoo wearing a holiday ribbon (Shiny Available)
- Crabrawler
Complete certain Field Research tasks to earn Mega Energy for the following Pokémon.
- Mega Abomasnow
- Mega Glalie
New Avatar Items, Stickers, and Amazon Prime Gaming
The following avatar items will be available to purchase in the in-game shop during the Winter Holiday event.
- Delibird Onesie
- Cetoddle Hat
- Holiday Boots
- Holiday Gloves
- Holiday Sweater with Scarf
Holiday-themed Stickers will also be available by spinning PokeStops, opening Gifts, and purchasing them from the in-game shop. There is also a limited-time Prime Gaming avatar item and partner research; you can read more about that here.
Pokemon Go: Winter Holiday Paid Timed Research
On top of the free Timed Research, Trainers can purchase additional Timed Research to reap more benefits during the holiday season. Both tickets will only be available in the in-game shop until Friday, December 29, 2023, at 8:00 pm local time.
Ticket 1
For US$2.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to access Timed Research for both Winter Holiday events.
Timed Research rewards for Winter Holiday Part 1 include:
- Event-themed Pokemon encounters, such as Spheal wearing a holiday scarf, Cryogonal, and the first peek at a new costumed Pokemon, Psyduck wearing holiday attire.
- Two Premium Battle Passes.
Timed Research rewards for Winter Holiday Part 2 include:
- Event-themed Pokemon encounters, such as Psyduck wearing holiday attire and Cubchoo wearing a holiday ribbon.
- Two Premium Battle Passes.
Purchasing the ticket during Winter Holiday Part 2 will still provide you with the Winter Holiday Part 1 Timed Research as well.
Ticket 2
The more expensive of the two tickets, Ticket 2, is US$5.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), and completing the research tasks will earn Trainers an event-themed avatar pose, among other rewards. Here is what you can expect.
- 2× Candy for catching Pokemon.
- Various event-themed Pokemon encounters, such as Pikachu wearing holiday attire and Delibird wearing a holiday ribbon, and an early encounter with a new costumed Pokemon — Psyduck wearing holiday attire!
That’s everything you need to know for the Pokemon Go: Winter Holiday Part 1 event. Make sure you check out our Game Hub for more articles on Pokemon Go.