Everything you need to know about the Pokémon Go Christmas event
The Winter Holidays event has returned to Pokémon Go this 2023, and it is divided into two parts: part 1 and part 2!
During the Winter Holidays event, players can catch two new Pokémon from the ninth generation: Cetoddle and Cetitan, as well as four new Pokémon in costume. Alongside catching these Pokémon, players will also be able to complete special field investigations and the Winter Wishes quest. The Winter Wishes quest presents players with several options, and we have provided guidance on what the best decision is for this mission in Pokémon Go.
Additionally, we will inform you about the Pokémon that will appear most frequently in the wild and provide all the details about the Winter Holidays event parts 1 and 2 in Pokémon Go.
On this page, you will find:
- Steps of the Winter Wishes quest
- Best path to choose in the Winter Wishes quest
- Field investigations of the Winter Festival event
- Everything you need to know about the Winter Holidays event parts 1 and 2
- Start and end times of part 1 and part 2 of the Winter Holidays event
Steps of the Winter Wishes quest
Winter Wishes is a mission that will be available during both parts of the Winter Holidays event in Pokémon Go. The mission will end on Sunday, December 31 at 8 pm (local time), giving players a significant amount of time to complete it.
It is important to note that Winter Wishes is a mission with multiple paths, and at a certain point, players must choose between the path that offers double experience per capture and the one that offers double Stardust per capture. The chosen path will also unlock additional bonuses in the Winter Holidays event.
Once the decision is made, it cannot be changed, so players must think carefully. The chosen path will also affect the tasks required to complete the Winter Wishes quest, although the rewards will remain the same.
Below are all the steps of the Winter Wishes mission and the rewards for each of them.
Thanks to Amiibofan101 from Reddit for providing this information.
Winter Wishes, step 1 of 2
- Catch 5 Pokémon – 1 Glacial Bait Module
- Visit 3 Pokéstops or gyms – Encounter with Christmas Pikachu
- Power up Pokémon 5 times – 2 Silver Pinia Berries
Rewards: 500 XP and 500 Stardust.
After completing this part of the mission, players will be given a choice between two paths: x2 experience for catching Pokémon or x2 Stardust for catching Pokémon.
Winter Wishes, step 2 of 2
- Catch 10 Pokémon – Encounter Spheal with Festive Scarf
- Catch 25 Pokémon – Encounter with Eevee with festive hat
- Catch 40 Ice-type Pokémon – Lapras Encounter
- Catch 8 different species of Ice-type Pokémon – Meet Stantler in a festive costume
- Depending on the chosen path:
- x2 experience for catching Pokémon: Earn 25,000 XP – Encounter with Cetoddle
- x2 Stardust for catching Pokémon: Earn 7,500 Stardust – Cetoddle Encounter
- Send 25 gifts to friends – Christmas Pikachu Encounter
Rewards: Encounter with Mr. Mime from Galar and, depending on the chosen path, either a Lucky Egg or a Star Piece.
Best path to choose in the Winter Wishes mission in Pokémon Go
The best path to choose in the Winter Wishes mission depends on your short-term goals in Pokémon Go.
If you want to quickly level up, it is recommended to choose double experience when catching Pokémon. If you prefer to power up the Pokémon you already have, it is better to benefit from the extra Stardust.
It is important to complement the chosen bonus with the appropriate item. If you choose experience, use a Lucky Egg to level up even faster. If you choose Stardust, use a Star Piece to obtain more of it.
Field investigations of the Winter Holidays event in Pokémon Go
As usual with these events, players can obtain special field research from the Winter Holidays event by spinning Pokéstops and gyms throughout the holiday season. The field investigations can be completed even after the event ends.
Currently, we only have information about the field investigations for the first part of the event. On December 25 at 10 am, these investigations will change, and we will update this page accordingly.
Here are the field investigations for the first part of the Winter Holidays event in Pokémon Go:
- Catch 5 Ice-type Pokémon – 5 Poké Balls, 3 Ultra Balls, or 5 Pinia Berries
- Catch 7 Ice-type Pokémon – Encounter with Shellder, Snover, or Vanillite
- Catch 5 different types of Pokémon – Encounter with Delibird with festive bow or Spheal with festive scarf
- Catch 10 different types of Pokémon – Encounter with Cubchoo with festive bow or Jynx
- Open 5 gifts – Encounter with Christmas Pikachu or Alola Sandshrew
- Send 3 gifts and add a sticker – Crabrawler encounter, 25 Mega Energy from Glalie, or 25 Mega Energy from Abomasnow
- Win a raid – Encounter with Lapras or Glaceon in festive costume
Everything you need to know about the Winter Holidays event part 1 and 2 in Pokémon Go
The Winter Holidays event in Pokémon Go will be divided into two parts. The first part is already underway and will continue until 10 a.m. (local time) on Monday, December 25, and end at 8 p.m. (local time) on Sunday, December 31.
During this event, players will receive additional experience and stardust when they open gifts.
There are also new holiday stickers to collect and Christmas cosmetics available in the in-game store.
Additionally, players have the option to purchase two extra paid missions through the in-game store. Both missions cost approximately 5 euros or the equivalent in your currency. However, to obtain their rewards, players must complete these missions before the end of the event.
Winter Holidays Part 1 in Pokémon Go
The first part of the Winter Holidays event in Pokémon Go introduces two new Pokémon from the ninth generation: Cetoddle and Cetitan, both of which are ice-type Pokémon.
In addition, Pikachu and Raichu are now available in festive attire as costumed Pokémon.
The following Pokémon will appear more frequently during the Winter Holidays Part 1 event:
- Pikachu with festive costume
- Alola Sandshrew
- Rope
- Eevee with festive hat
- Sneasel
- Swinub
- Piloswine
- Stantler in Christmas costume
- Spheal with festive scarf
- Darumaka de Galar
- Cryogonal
- Amaura
- Bergmite
- Cetoddle
The following Pokémon will be available in raids during the Winter Holidays Part 1 event:
| A star | Three stars | Five stars | Mega |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Pikachu | Dewgong | Kyurem | Mega Abomasnow |
| Alola Sandshrew | Lapras | ||
| Spheal with festive scarf | Stantler in Christmas costume | ||
| Crabrawler | Glaceon in festive costume | ||
| Cetoddle |
The 2km eggs obtained during the event may contain:
- Eevee with festive hat
- Smoochum
- Darumaka de Galar
- Amaura
Winter Holidays Part 2 in Pokémon Go
The Winter Holidays Part 2 event introduces even more costumed Pokémon. Psyduck and Golduck will now be wearing scarves.
The following Pokémon will appear more frequently during the Winter Holidays Part 2 event:
- Pikachu with festive costume
- Vulpix of Alola
- Psyduck in festive attire
- Rope
- Eevee with festive hat
- Sneasel
- Swinub
- Piloswine
- Delibird with festive bow
- They snore
- Sphere
- Darumaka de Galar
- Vanillite
- Cubchoo with festive bow
- Cryogonal
- Amaura
- Cetoddle
The following Pokémon will be available in raids during the Winter Holidays Part 2 event:
| A star | Three stars | Five stars | Mega |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikachu with festive costume | Dewgong | Regulates | Mega Glalie |
| Vulpix of Alola | Lapras | ||
| Cubchoo with festive bow | Delibird with festive bow | ||
| Crabrawler | Glaceon in festive costume | ||
| Cetoddle |
The 2km eggs obtained during Part 2 of the event may contain:
- Eevee with festive hat
- Smoochum
- Darumaka de Galar
- Amaura
Start and end times of part 1 and part 2 of the Winter Holidays event
The Winter Holidays event in Pokémon Go has been divided into two parts this year.
Part 1 will begin on December 18 and end at 10 a.m. (local time) on Monday, December 25.
Part 2 will begin immediately after Part 1 ends and continue until 8 p.m. (local time) on Sunday, December 31.
Enjoy the Pokémon Go Christmas event!