Pokemon Go’s new Precious Paths season is officially underway, and the mobile game is ushering it in with a variety of events and activities in December.
On top of new Raid bosses and Spotlight Pokemon, this month will see the arrival of a few new Pokemon like Nacli and Clobbopus, while every featured Pokemon from the past year is coming back for December’s two-day Community Day event.
Pokemon Go is also getting into the festive spirit this month with a big two-part Winter Holiday celebration, which will include a special Winter Weekend mini-event. And before December wraps up, the mobile game will hold a New Year’s celebration to ring in 2026 in style.
You can read more about this month’s biggest Pokemon Go events below.
December Raid Schedule
New bosses are coming to Raid battles throughout December.
A handful of legendary Pokemon from the Unova region will return to five-star Raids, while various Mega-Evolved Pokemon like Mega Gyarados and Mega Abomasnow will make another appearance in Mega Raids. You’ll also have a chance to encounter Shadow Heatran in Shadow Raids every weekend this month.
You can see December’s full Raid schedule below:
Five-Star Raids
November 25-December 4
- Cobalion
- Terrakion
- Virizion
December 4-13
December 13-22
December 22-31
Mega Raids
November 25-December 4
- Mega Aerodactyl
- Mega Medicham
- Mega Garchomp
December 4-13
December 13-22
December 22-31
Shadow Raids
Weekends in December
Max Battles
- Dynamax Darumaka (December 1-7)
- Dynamax Cryogonal (December 8-14)
- Dynamax Kabuto (December 15-21)
- Dynamax Spheal (December 22-28)
- Dynamax Omanyte (December 29-January 4)
December Spotlight Hours
Pokemon Go’s Spotlight Hour events return in December with a new selection of Pokemon to catch and bonuses to earn.
Every Tuesday evening from 6-7 PM local time, one particular species of Pokemon will appear in the wild more frequently than usual. In addition, you’ll earn an extra bonus for participating in the event, such as double XP or candy for catching Pokemon.
You can see December’s full Spotlight Hour schedule below:
December 2
- Spotlight Pokemon: Cranidos
- Bonus: 2x transfer candy
December 9
- Spotlight Pokemon: Shieldon
- Bonus: 2x catch XP
December 16
- Spotlight Pokemon: Mienfoo
- Bonus: 2x catch candy
December 23
- Spotlight Pokemon: Spheal
- Bonus: 2x evolution XP
December 30
- Spotlight Pokemon: Delibird
- Bonus: 2x catch Stardust
Journey To Paldea
Pokemon Go is kicking off its latest season with a Journey to Paldea event, which runs from December 2-9.
Headlining the event is a new Pokemon from the Paldea region: Nacli. The rock-type Pokemon will appear in the wild throughout the event, making this your first chance to catch one in Pokemon Go.
On top of that, Paldean Tauros will appear in Gyms as a three-star Raid boss. A different form will be available in different regions of the world. Blaze Breed and Aqua Breed will appear in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, respectively, while Combat Breed will be exclusive to the Iberian Peninsula.
A handful of bonuses will also be active during the event. Winning Raid battles will net you double the usual amount of XP, and you’ll earn double XP for evolving Pokemon. Last but not least, you’ll have increased odds of encountering shiny variants of Larvitar and Bagon.
Featured Pokemon
Wild Encounters
December 2, 4, 6, 8
December 3, 5, 7, 9
Raids
Three-Star
- Paldean Tauros (Combat Breed) – Iberian Peninsula
- Paldean Tauros (Blaze Breed) – Eastern Hemisphere
- Paldean Tauros (Aqua Breed) – Western Hemisphere
- Bombirdier
- Dondozo
Bonuses
- 2x XP for winning Raid battles
- 2x XP for evolving Pokemon
- Increased chance to encounter shiny Larvitar and shiny Bagon
Pokemon Go’s December Community Day takes place across two days, December 6-7, and it gives you another chance to catch all the featured Pokemon from the past year.
Each day of the event, a handful of previous Community Day Pokemon will appear in the wild more frequently than usual, making this a good chance to catch them if you weren’t able to participate in those events. You’ll also have increased odds of encountering shiny versions of the featured Pokemon.
On top of that, a slew of bonuses will be available throughout the entire event. The game is temporarily reducing the requirements to evolve certain Pokemon like Eevee and Floette, making it much easier to obtain their evolutions. You’ll also earn double Stardust, XP, and candy for catching Pokemon during the event, and any Incense or Lure Modules that you use will last for an extended period of time.
Featured Pokemon
Wild Encounters
December 6
- Karrablast
- Shelmet
- Vanillite
- Sprigatito
- Fuecoco
- Pawmi
December 7
- Solosis
- Red Flower Flabebe – Europe, Middle East, and Africa
- Blue Flower Flabebe – Asia-Pacific region
- Yellow Flower Flabebe – Americas
- Pikipek
- Jangmo-o
- Rookidee
- Quaxly
Bonuses
- 2x XP for catching Pokemon
- 2x Stardust for catching Pokemon
- 1/2 hatch distance
- 2x candy for catching Pokemon
- 2x chance to receive candy XL from catching Pokemon (players level 31 and up)
- Incense will last for three hours (excluding Daily Adventure Incense)
- Lure Modules will last for one hour
- One additional Special Trade can be made
- Trades will cost 50 percent less Stardust
Limited-Time Evolution Requirements
- Evolve Eevee into Espeon or Umbreon after exploring 1 km with Eevee as your buddy
- Evolve Eevee into Sylveon after earning seven hearts with Eevee as your buddy
- Evolve Floette into Florges after earning seven hearts with Floette as your buddy
- Evolve Pawmo into Pawmot after exploring 1 km with Pawmo as your buddy
Well Armed
Fighting Pokemon are stepping into the ring for Pokemon Go’s Well Armed event, which runs from December 11-16.
As part of the event, you’ll have your first chance to catch the fighting-type octopus Clobbopus. The new Pokemon will appear in the wild and as a reward for completing Field Research tasks. Other fighting Pokemon like Makuhita and Machop will also appear in the wild, while Dynamax forms of Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan will be featured as Max Battle bosses.
Bonuses
- 2x candy for catching Pokemon
- Increased chance to encounter shiny Dynamax Hitmonlee and shiny Dynamax Hitmonchan
Gigantamax Snorlax Max Battle Day
Another Gigantamax Pokemon is crashing into Pokemon Go during the game’s next Max Battle Day, which takes place on December 14.
From 2-5 PM local time, Gigantamax Snorlax will appear at Power Spots as a six-star Max Battle boss, giving you another chance to challenge and catch one. Not only that, but you’ll also have increased odds of encountering a shiny Gigantamax Snorlax.
In addition, a few different bonuses will be active throughout the event. The number of Max Particles you can collect will be increased to 1,600 for the day, and you’ll be able to make two additional Special Trades. Power Spots will also refresh more frequently than usual and distribute eight times the usual amount of Max Particles.
Bonuses
- Max Particle collection limit increased to 1,600
- All Power Spots will host Gigantamax battles
- Power Spots will refresh more frequently
- 8x Max Particles from Power Spots
- You can make two additional Special Trades
- 2x Max Particles from exploring
- 1/4 adventuring distance to receive Max Particles
Winter Holiday Pt. 1
The first leg of Pokemon Go’s annual Winter Holiday event runs December 18-24.
Like past years, the event will introduce a few new festive-themed Pokemon. This year, you’ll have a chance to encounter Sudowoodo dressed like a Christmas tree and Charjabug dressed like a present. The Pokemon will be appearing in three-star Raids and in the wild alongside other ice types like Swinub and Spheal.
A few bonuses will also be active during the event. All players will have increased odds of hatching shiny versions of Pichu and Cubchoo from 7 km eggs. On top of that, you’ll unlock additional bonuses as you hit different milestones in the Go Pass. Finally, a few new festive avatar items are being added to the in-game shop.
Featured Pokemon
Wild Encounters
- Swinub
- Snorunt
- Spheal
- Sudowoodo wearing holiday attire
- Charjabug wearing holiday attire
7 km Eggs
- Pichu wearing a festive hat
- Smoochum
- Cubchoo wearing a holiday ribbon
- Cryogonal
- Snom
Three-Star Raids
- Sudowoodo wearing holiday attire
- Hisuian Avalugg
- Charjabug wearing holiday attire
Bonuses
General
- Increased chance to hatch shiny festive Pichu and shiny festive Cubchoo
Go Pass: Winter Holiday 2025 Milestone
Tier 1
- 2x XP from sending gifts
- Go Pass Deluxe: 2x Stardust from opening gifts
Tier 2
- Additional items may be rewarded when opening gifts
- Go Pass Deluxe: 1/2 egg hatch distance when eggs are placed in incubators
Tier 3
- 50 percent more XP for winning Raid battles
- Go Pass Deluxe: 2x XP from catching Pokemon
Celestial Research Day
Pokemon Go is holding another Research Day on December 20.
From 2-5 PM local time, you’ll be able to catch Lunatone and Solrock after completing event-themed Field Research tasks. Not only is this a good chance to get the normally region-exclusive Pokemon, you’ll also have increased odds of encountering shiny versions of each. On top of that, the game will offer paid Timed Research that will dish out additional rewards, including extra chances to catch the featured Pokemon.
Winter Holiday Pt. 2
The second part of Pokemon Go’s Winter Holiday event takes place from December 24-29.
This portion of the event introduces another new Pokemon to the game: Rolycoly. You’ll have a chance to encounter the coal Pokemon in the wild and in one-star Raids. Other themed Pokemon, like Dedenne and Cubchoo decked out in holiday attire, will also appear in the wild and hatch from 7 km eggs.
Just as Part 1, a handful of bonuses will be active during the event as well. All players will have increased odds of encountering shiny festive versions of Stantler and Dedenne, and you may get extra items when catching wild Pokemon. On top of that, additional bonuses will unlock when you hit different milestones in the Go Pass.
Featured Pokemon
Wild Encounters
- Galarian Darumaka
- Bergmite
- Cetoddle
- Dedenne wearing holiday attire
- Rolycoly
7 km Eggs
- Pichu wearing a festive hat
- Smoochum
- Cubchoo wearing a holiday ribbon
- Cryogonal
- Snom
One-Star Raids
- Alolan Sandshrew
- Galarian Darumaka
- Rolycoly
Three-Star Raids
- Galarian Mr. Mime
- Sudowoodo wearing holiday attire
- Charjabug wearing holiday attire
Bonuses
General
- You can earn items like Fast TMs, Charged TMs, Silver Pinap Berries, Golden Razz Berries, and Rare Candy by catching event-themed Pokemon in the wild
- Increased chance to encounter shiny festive versions of Stantler and Dedenne
Go Pass: Winter Holiday 2025 Milestone
Tier 1
- 2x XP from sending Gifts
- Go Pass Deluxe: 2x Stardust from opening Gifts
Tier 2
- Additional items may be rewarded from opening Gifts
- Go Pass Deluxe: 1/2 egg hatch distance when eggs are placed in Incubators
Tier 3
- 50 percent more XP for winning Raids
- Go Pass Deluxe: 2x XP from catching Pokemon
Winter Weekend
Before the Winter Holiday celebration wraps up, Pokemon Go will hold a Winter Weekend mini-event from December 27-28.
Throughout the weekend, the game is lifting the limit on how many Go Points you can earn each day. On top of that, you’ll receive bonus daily quests for the Go Pass: Winter Holiday 2025, and you’ll have increased odds of encountering a shiny festive Eevee when you complete Timed Research tasks.
Bonuses
- No daily limit for how many Go Points you can earn
- Bonus daily quests for Go Pass: Winter Holiday 2025
- Increased chance to encounter shiny Eevee wearing a holiday hat from Timed Research tasks
New Year’s 2026
Pokemon Go is ringing in 2026 with a New Year’s celebration from December 31-January 4.
Throughout the event, you’ll be able to encounter festively dressed versions of Bulbasaur, Jigglypuff, Hoothoot, Pikachu, and other Pokemon in the wild and as Raid bosses. You’ll also earn double XP and Stardust for winning Raid Battles.
Featured Pokemon
Wild Encounters
- Bulbasaur wearing a party hat
- Jigglypuff wearing a ribbon
- Hoothoot wearing a New Year’s outfit
- Pikachu wearing a party top hat
One-Star Raids
- Pikachu wearing a party top hat
- Wurmple wearing a party hat
Three-Star Raids
- Raticate wearing a party hat
- Nidorino wearing a party hat
- Gengar wearing a party hat
- Wobbuffet wearing a party hat
Bonuses
- 2x XP from Raid Battles
- 2x Stardust from Raid Battles
- Increased chance to encounter a shiny Pikachu wearing a party top hat
