Pokemon GO Reveals New Year Event Bonuses and Rewards

Pokémon GO revealed its upcoming New Year's event for players, highlighting all the bonuses and details to expect, including unique costumed pocket monsters to face. As a live service title for mobile users, Niantic is constantly adding new features and seasonal content to keep Pokémon GO players who log in frequently. This also includes special holiday events that only occur once a year.

In fact, December 2025 as a whole is already proving to be a busy month for gamers. Earlier this month, Pokémon GO held its annual end of the year Community Day, bringing back various Pokémon from throughout the year and giving players another chance to catch them. December 2025 i Pokémon GO also features tons of other limited time events from Max Raid battles against the likes of Darumaka and Cryogonal, more 5-star raids, as well as new special spotlight events to check out. As expected, Niantic is also bringing back a special New Year's event for players to participate in.

Pokémon GO reveals classic Pokémon from Community Day for January 2026

Family

Pokemon GO's January 2026 Community Day Classic features a fan-favorite starter

Pokemon GO's first Community Day Classic event in 2026 will give fans the chance to pick up one of the franchise's most popular starter Pokemon.

Pokemon GO New Years Event Start and End Times

31 December 2025 at 10 a.m. to 4 January 2026 at 20.00 local time

Kick off on New Year's Eve, Pokémon GO kicks off its year-end event at 10am local for all players. At the start of the New Year event, players will likely notice celebratory fireworks being shot off in the game's skybox, and they'll be able to earn 2x XP from Raid battles and double the amount of Stardust earned. Naturally, the event brings costumed Pokemon to catch, including a special Pikachu that wears a star hat in the wild and during raids.

However, that's not all! Wild Encounters can also include Party Hat Bulbasaur, a band wearing Jigglypuff, as well as a New Year's Party-like Hoothoot. Of course, players have a chance to add to their Shiny Pokemon collection as there is a small chance that these encounters could be of their shiny variants. Field research task rewards can also lead to these special encounters.

The party vibes also extend to the various Raid encounters during the New Year event with 1-star raids featuring Party Hat Wurmple and Party Hat Pikachu. 3-star raids also give Party Hats for encounters with Raticate, Nidorino, Gengar, and Wobbuffet. Lucky exchanges have also increased in a trade from 35 to 45. Not only that, if a player makes a trade in Pokémon GO with a creature that's been in stock since 2020, it's guaranteed to be Lucky until the limit is reached, and it's permanent.

Finally, for players who want to spend a little more on the game, Niantic is offering timed research for $1.99 and allowing players to get an additional Raid Pass from spinning photo discs, for a total of 2 daily instead of the normal 1. Timed research will include two Premium Battle Passes, 3,000 Stardust, and encounters with New Years Pikum. The in-game shop will also sell Blacephalon boots, which can be worn by the player's avatar.

But with that event still a few weeks away, players have more content to look forward to coming as soon as this week. Pokémon GO's Winter Holiday kicks off on December 18th which adds its own selection of costumed creatures like the festive versions of Sudowoodo, Charjabug, Eevee, Dedenne and Vikavolt. Charjabug looks like a wrapped present, while the coat Pokémon Sudowoodo is dressed like a Christmas tree. Swinub, Snorunt, and Spheal will also appear, and players can get new winter-themed avatar items. Eggs also have a higher chance of hatching Ice-types, including the likes of Smoochum, Cryogonal, and Snom.