As we approach the end of 2023, Pokémon GO’s yearly Winter Holiday event returns. And, once again, it’s split into two parts. For this year, we’ll see the Winter Holiday Part 1 event go on until Christmas morning. While these events tend to be filled with new and returning Costumed Pokémon, there’s also a new standard debut. This time hailing from Paldea, Cetoddle and Cetitan will be available in Pokémon GO. (For more details about the Season of Timeless Travels, you can check out our overall Season of Timeless Travels guide hub.)
Now, check out what’s happening during the Winter Holiday Part 1 event with our guide below:
Pokémon GO’s Season of Timeless Travels – Winter Holiday Part 1
Begins: Monday, December 18th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.
Ends: Monday, December 25th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.
Pokémon debuts – Cetoddle, Cetitan, Costumed Pikachu, and Costumed Raichu + return of Costumed Pokémon
- Cetoddle: Debuting in Pokémon (and adding another Paldean Pokémon to Pokémon GO), you can find Cetoddle in the wild, in One-Star Raids, and as catch encounter rewards in Timed Research.
- Cetitan: Trainers looking to add a Cetitan to their team will need to catch a Cetoddle and evolve it with 50 Cetoddle Candies.
- Pikachu wearing holiday attire (Costumed Pikachu): Pikachu is getting another winter-themed look. Sporting a red and white trimmed Santa-esque hat with holly and a white trimmed collar with a red and green bow, you’ll find this Costumed Pikachu in the wild, in One-Star Raids, and catch encounter rewards in Field Research tasks and Timed Research tasks.
- Raichu wearing holiday attire (Costumed Raichu): The only way to get Raichu wearing this year’s holiday attire is to evolve a Pikachu wearing holiday attire. Catch one and make sure you have 50 Pikachu Candies on hand!
While scheduled to appear during the Winter Holiday Part 2 event, that event’s Costumed Pokémon debuts will be available during Part 1 if paid Timed Research is purchased. These Costumed Pokémon include:
- Psyduck wearing holiday attire (Costumed Psyduck): Wearing a hat similar to Pikachu, but swapping out the collar for a red and green scarf, this Costumed Psyduck can only be found in the paid Timed Research that’s available at the start of the Part 1 event. Don’t worry, as this Psyduck will be available for free (in the wild, via Eggs, as catch encounter rewards in select Field Research tasks) during the Part 2 event.
- Golduck wearing holiday attire (Costumed Golduck): Similar to Costumed Raichu, you can only get this Costumed Golduck by evolving a Psyduck wearing holiday attire. Just make sure to have a Costumed Psyduck and 50 Psyduck Candies.
And, lastly, a variety of Costumed Pokémon from previous Winter Holiday events will be back. This includes the following:
- Eevee wearing a holiday hat
- Stantler wearing a holiday outfit
- Delibird wearing a holiday ribbon
- Spheal wearing a holiday scarf
- Glaceon wearing an Undersea Holiday outfit
- Cubchoo wearing a holiday ribbon
Note: Going forward, any Pokémon wearing a holiday-themed outfit will be referred to as “Costumed” rather than the exact outfit they are wearing.
Event Bonuses
- 2× XP for catching Pokémon OR 2× Stardust for catching Pokémon
- Only one can be chosen. Trainers will get to pick when participating in the free Winter Wishes Timed Research
- Increased XP and Stardust from opening Gifts
The Hidden Surprise event overlaps with the Winter Holiday Part 1 event, so the following bonus will be available on Monday, December 18th, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. your local time:
- Kecleon will be appearing more frequently at PokéStops.
The Winter Wonderland event overlaps with the Winter Holiday Part 1 event, so these bonuses will also be available (from Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Sunday, December 24th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time):
- Up to five Special Trades can be made a day.
- Trades made during the event will require 50% less Stardust.
- 2× XP for winning Raid Battles.
And the Wyrdeer Raid Day event also overlaps with the Winter Holiday Part 1 event. The following bonuses will be available on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time (other than one bonus with extended hours):
- Wyrdeer will appear more frequently in raids.
- You’ll have an increased chance of encountering Shiny Wyrdeer.
- Up to five additional daily Raid Passes from spinning Gym Photo Discs during the event and up to two hours afterward.
- The Remote Raid Pass limit will be increased to 10 on Friday, December 22nd, 2023, at 4 p.m. PT to Saturday, December 23rd, 2023, at 7 p.m. PT.
Event Boxes
It doesn’t appear that there are special event boxes or bundles, but three boxes are available at a discounted price until Monday, January 1st, 2024 (time not specified):
- Great Box (125 PokéCoins on sale, original price 230 PokéCoins): 10 Poké Balls and 1 Glacial Lure Module.
- Remote Raid Box (595 PokéCoins on sale, original price 705 PokéCoins): 3 Remote Raid Passes, 1 Star Piece, and 1 Lucky Egg.
- Adventure Box (995 PokéCoins on sale, original price 1,790 PokéCoins): 5 Super Incubators, 5 Egg Incubators, and 1 Incense.
Wild Encounters
- The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild: Costumed Pikachu*, Alolan Sandshrew*, Seel*, Costumed Eevee*, Swinub*, Costumed Stantler*, Costumed Spheal*, Galarian Darumaka*, Cryogonal*, Bergmite*, and Cetoddle.
- If you’re lucky, you might encounter the following Pokémon: Sneasel*, Piloswine, and Amaura*.
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Eggs
The following Pokémon will be hatching from Eggs that are obtained during the event:
- 2 km Eggs
- 1-Egg Rarity: Costumed Eevee*, Smoochum*, Galarian Darumaka*, and Amaura*.
Notes:
- Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might hatch a Shiny one!”
- Costumed Eevee has a greater chance of being Shiny when hatched vs. being found in the wild.
Raids
Standard and Shadow Raids will be active during the event.
Standard Raids
The following Pokémon will be appearing in Raids:
- One-Star Raids: Costumed Pikachu*, Alolan Sandshrew*, Costumed Spheal*, Crabrawler, and Cetoddle.
- Three-Star Raids:
- Dewgong, Lapras*, Costumed Stantler*, and Costumed Glaceon* (See Additional Notes).
- Wyrdeer* (Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time only) (See Additional Notes).
- Five-Star Raids:
- Kyurem* (until Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time).
- Regigigas* (after Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time) (See Additional Notes).
- Mega Raids:
- Mega Abomasnow* (until Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time).
- Mega Glalie* (after Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time) (See Additional Notes).
Shadow Raids
The following Pokémon will be appearing in Shadow Raids:
- One-Star Shadow Raids: Shadow Machop*, Shadow Cubone, Shadow Teddiursa*, and Shadow Trapinch.
- Three-Star Shadow Raids: Shadow Porygon, Shadow Houndour, and Shadow Sableye*.
- Five-Star Shadow Raids: Shadow Zapdos* (See Additional Notes).
Additional Notes:
- Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
- Standard Raids:
- Three-Star Raids:
- Due to the addition of the Wyrdeer Raid Day event, Wyrdeer* will take over Raids on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time.
- The Remote Raid Pass limit will also be increased to 10 from Friday, December 22nd, 2023, at 4 p.m. PT to Saturday, December 23rd, 2023, at 7 p.m. PT.
- Due to the addition of the Wyrdeer Raid Day event, Wyrdeer* will take over Raids on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time.
- Five-Star Raids:
- Kyurem* will be available until partway through the event, exiting Five-Star Raids on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.
- Regigigas* will be available starting on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time and will be available after the event (in Five-Star Raids), until Monday, January 1st, 2024 at 10 a.m. your local time.
- Mega Raids:
- Mega Abomasnow* will be available until partway through the event, exiting Mega Raids on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.
- Mega Glalie* will be available starting on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time and will be available after the event (in Mega Raids), until Monday, January 1st, 2024 at 10 a.m. your local time.
- Three-Star Raids:
- Shadow Raids:
- One- and Three-Star Shadow Raids will be available daily.
- Five-Star Shadow Raids will be available on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), unless otherwise stated by Niantic.
Timed Research – Winter Wishes
A branching Timed Research quest called Winter Wishes will be active during the event. Regardless of what route is chosen, all will give Trainers the same catch encounters. The only differences are items (a Lucky Egg or Star Piece) and which event bonus will be active. Trainers may only pick one of the two: 2× XP for catching Pokémon OR 2× Stardust for catching Pokémon. The bonus chosen will be active until Sunday, December 31st, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time.
A complete list of tasks for all routes and the rewards will be shared here once the event is live.
| Winter Wishes | |
|---|---|
| Step 1/2 | Reward |
| Catch 5 Pokémon | 1 Glacial Lure Module |
| Spin 3 PokéStops or Gyms | Costumed Pikachu* Encounter |
| Power up Pokémon 5 times | 2 Silver Pinap Berries |
| Completion Rewards | 500 Stardust and 500 XP |
| Step 1.5/2 | Rewards |
| Choose A Path: Catching Pokémon | You'll unlock the 2× XP for catching Pokémon reward (active until Sunday, December 31st, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time). |
| Choose A Path: Collecting Stardust | You'll unlock the 2× Stardust for catching Pokémon reward (active until Sunday, December 31st, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time). |
| Step 2/2 Catching Pokémon | Reward |
| Catch 10 Pokémon | Costumed Spheal* Encounter |
| Catch 25 Pokémon | Costumed Eevee* Encounter |
| Catch 40 Ice-type Pokémon | Lapras* Encounter |
| Catch 8 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Stantler* Encounter |
| Earn 25,000 XP | Cetoddle Encounter |
| Send 25 Gifts to Friends | Costumed Pikachu* Encounter |
| Completion Rewards | Galarian Mr. Mime* Encounter and 1 Lucky Egg |
| Step 2/2 Collecting Stardust | Reward |
| Catch 10 Pokémon | Costumed Spheal* Encounter |
| Catch 25 Pokémon | Costumed Eevee* Encounter |
| Catch 40 Ice-type Pokémon | Lapras* Encounter |
| Catch 8 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Stantler* Encounter |
| Collect 7,500 Stardust | Cetoddle Encounter |
| Send 25 Gifts to Friends | Costumed Pikachu* Encounter |
| Completion Rewards | Galarian Mr. Mime* Encounter and 1 Star Piece |
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Paid Tickets – Winter Holiday Timed Research (Part 1 and Part 2) and Frosty Festivities Timed Research
During the Winter Holiday Part 1 and Part 2 events, two different paid tickets to access an event-themed Timed Research will be made available.
Winter Holiday Timed Research consists of two parts. It will be available for US$1.99 OR US$2.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency). Rewards include a variety of event-themed Pokémon and Costumed Pokémon, including early catches of the Costumed Psyduck* that will debut in the Winter Holiday Part 2 event.
Frosty Festivities Timed Research is a four-step Timed Research. It will be available for US$4.99 OR US$5.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency). Rewards include an exclusive Avatar Pose (the Hot Chocolate Pose), 1 Incense, 1 Egg Incubator, 3 Silver Pinap Berries, and a variety of event-themed Pokémon and Costumed Pokémon, including early catches of the Costumed Psyduck* that will debut in the Winter Holiday Part 2 event.
Sales for these paid Timed Research tickets will end on Friday, December 29th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time. According to Niantic, “[t]ickets are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service).” Tickets can also be gifted to Trainers you’re friends with provided that you have a Friendship level of Great Friends or higher with them. This can be done via the in-game shop and by selecting the “Gift” button instead of the “Buy” button. Tickets purchased for friends are nonrefundable as well.
Please keep in mind that Timed Research quests have deadlines. Trainers must complete and claim rewards from the Winter Holiday Timed Research, Winter Holiday Part 2, and/or Frosty Festivities Timed Research by Sunday, December 31st, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time.
Winter Holiday Part 1 Timed Research
| Winter Holiday Timed Research | |
|---|---|
| Step 1/1 | Reward |
| Catch 10 Pokémon | Cetoddle Encounter |
| Catch 20 Pokémon | Sneasel* Encounter |
| Catch 30 Pokémon | Galarian Darumaka* Encounter |
| Catch 40 Pokémon | Costumed Spheal* Encounter |
| Use 10 Berries to help catch Pokémon | Costumed Pikachu* Encounter |
| Use 20 Berries to help catch Pokémon | Costumed Stantler* Encounter |
| Catch 4 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Eevee* Encounter |
| Catch 6 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Cryogonal* Encounter |
| Catch 8 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Amaura* Encounter |
| Catch 10 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Glaceon* Encounter |
| Completion Rewards | Costumed Psyduck* Encounter, 2 Premium Battle Passes, and 5,000 XP |
Winter Holiday Part 2 Timed Research
| Winter Holiday Part 2 Timed Research | |
|---|---|
| Step 1/1 | Reward |
| Catch 10 Pokémon | Cetoddle Encounter |
| Catch 20 Pokémon | Sneasel* Encounter |
| Catch 30 Pokémon | Galarian Darumaka* Encounter |
| Catch 40 Pokémon | Costumed Spheal* Encounter |
| Use 10 Berries to help catch Pokémon | Costumed Pikachu* Encounter |
| Use 20 Berries to help catch Pokémon | Costumed Stantler* Encounter |
| Catch 4 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Eevee* Encounter |
| Catch 6 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Cryogonal* Encounter |
| Catch 8 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Amaura* Encounter |
| Catch 10 different species of Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Glaceon* Encounter |
| Completion Rewards | Costumed Psyduck* Encounter, 2 Premium Battle Passes, and 5,000 XP |
Frosty Festivities
| Frosty Festivities | |
|---|---|
| Step 1/4 | Reward |
| Spin 10 PokéStops | Costumed Cubchoo* Encounter |
| Catch 25 Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Spheal* Encounter |
| Make 20 Curveball Throws | Costumed Pikachu* Encounter |
| Completion Rewards | Galarian Mr. Mime* Encounter and Hot Chocolate Pose (Avatar Pose) |
| Step 2/4 | Reward |
| Use 20 Berries to help catch Pokémon | Costumed Stantler* Encounter |
| Transfer 25 Pokémon | Costumed Delibird* Encounter |
| Catch 30 Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Eevee* Encounter |
| Completion Rewards | Lapras* Encounter and 3 Silver Pinap Berries |
| Step 3/4 | Reward |
| Make 30 Curveball Throws | Costumed Cubchoo* Encounter |
| Send 10 Gifts to Friends | Costumed Spheal* Encounter |
| Catch 40 Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Pikachu* Encounter |
| Completion Rewards | Costumed Glaceon* Encounter and 1 Incense |
| Step 4/4 | Reward |
| Transfer 30 Pokémon | Costumed Stantler* Encounter |
| Explore 5 km | Costumed Delibird* Encounter |
| Catch 50 Ice-type Pokémon | Costumed Eevee* Encounter |
| Completion Rewards | Costumed Psyduck* Encounter and 1 Egg Incubator |
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Field Research Tasks
There will be event-exclusive Field Research Tasks available and the rewards include the following Pokémon encounters: Costumed Pikachu*, Alolan Sandshrew*, Shellder*, Jynx*, Lapras*, Costumed Delibird*, Costumed Spheal*, Snover*, Costumed Glaceon*, Vanillite, Costumed Cubchoo*, and Crabrawler. Abomasnow and Glalie Mega Energy will also be rewarded when completing specific tasks. These Field Research Tasks can be found when spinning PokéStops (and acquired if you have an open slot in your Field Research menu) when the event is active.
A complete list of tasks and rewards will be shared here once the event is live.
- Task: Catch 5 Ice-type Pokémon
- Reward: 5 Poké Balls OR 3 Ultra Balls OR 3 Razz Berries OR 5 Pinap Berries
- Task: Catch 7 Ice-type Pokémon
- Reward: Shellder* OR Snover* OR Vanillite Encounter
- Task: Catch 5 different species of Pokémon
- Reward: Costumed Delibird* OR Costumed Spheal* Encounter
- Task: Catch 10 different species of Pokémon
- Reward: Jynx* OR Costumed Cubchoo* Encounter
- Task: Win a Raid
- Reward: Lapras* OR Costumed Glaceon* Encounter
- Task: Send 3 Gifts and add a Sticker to each
- Reward: Crabrawler Encounter OR 25 Abomasnow Mega Energy OR 25 Glalie Mega Energy
- Task: Open 5 Gifts
- Reward: Costumed Pikachu* OR Alolan Sandshrew* Encounter
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
PokéStop Showcase
During the event, PokéStop Showcases will be active. The theme of these contests is to submit the biggest event-themed Pokémon that’s being requested (Delibird or Cetoddle). But, there will be an interruption thanks to the unannounced Hidden Surprise event featuring Kecelon:
- Monday, December 18th, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. your local time: Kecleon
- Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time: Delibird and Cetoddle
- Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 at 2 p.m. to Sunday, December 24th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time: Wyrdeer
Stickers
There will be an assortment of event-themed stickers featuring a Snow Pikachu, Cetoddle, Cryogonal, Seel, Psyduck, and Vanillite. You can get them by spinning PokéStops, opening Gifts, and/or purchasing them from Pokémon GO’s in-game shop (with PokéCoins) during the event.
Avatar Items
New avatar items themed after Cetoddle, Delibird, and cold weather gear with Pikachu silhouettes will be released during this event. They will be available for purchase (with PokéCoins) via the in-game shop. These avatar items will still be available to purchase after the conclusion of this event.
The new avatar items are the following: Delibird Onesie (400 PokéCoins), Cetoddle Hat (150 PokéCoins), Holiday Boots (150 PokéCoins), Holiday Gloves (50 PokéCoins), and Holiday Sweater with Scarf (200 PokéCoins).
Note: The Holiday Sweater with Scarf can be obtained before the start of the event through Prime Gaming. If you have an active Amazon Prime subscription, you can get the reward code for this avatar item until January 19th, 2024 at 10 a.m. PT.
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Written by Jennifer Burch
Illustrator, designer, writer and big Nintendo geek, you can find Jennifer with an N3DS within reach 24/7. As the oldest of three, she has survived many Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart sessions intact in addition to getting her brothers hooked on some really weird games. (Cubivore anyone?)
