Pokemon Go December 2025 Events: Raid Bosses, Spotlight Hours, Community Day, And More

Pokemon Go launches its Precious Paths season this December, marking an exciting transition into winter festivities with substantial content updates. The mobile game introduces fresh gameplay elements while maintaining its traditional holiday celebrations that players eagerly anticipate each year.

The Precious Paths season officially commences with diverse December activities designed to engage both casual and dedicated trainers. Seasonal transitions in Pokemon Go typically bring modified spawn patterns, special research tasks, and exclusive cosmetic items that reflect the winter theme.

Beyond the established raid rotations and Spotlight Pokemon appearances, December welcomes new species including Nacli and Clobbopus from the Paldea region. These additions expand the available Pokemon roster while the two-day Community Day event provides a comprehensive retrospective of the past year’s featured creatures.

Festive celebrations take center stage later in December with an expansive two-part Winter Holiday event featuring a Winter Weekend mini-event. This structured approach allows players to progressively engage with holiday content before the month concludes with a New Year’s celebration ushering in 2026 with distinctive in-game activities.

Our detailed breakdown below covers strategic approaches to maximize your rewards throughout December’s packed event schedule.

December Spotlight Hours provide weekly opportunities to target specific Pokemon with enhanced spawn rates and bonus conditions. These one-hour windows each Tuesday evening allow focused catching sessions for both completionists and competitive players.

Optimal preparation involves clearing Pokemon storage space beforehand and stocking up on Pokeballs, berries, and incense. The bonus type (double catch candy, double transfer candy, etc.) determines whether you should prioritize catching or inventory management during the event.

Common mistakes include underestimating the storage management needed and failing to coordinate with local communities for lure module activation. Advanced players should plan evolution sessions around spotlight hours matching species they need candy for, especially if shiny variants are available.

December brings an exciting rotation of raid encounters spanning multiple difficulty tiers. Legendary Pokemon from the Unova region headline the five-star raids, while powerful Mega Evolutions dominate the mega raid schedule. Weekend shadow raids provide consistent opportunities for specialized encounters.

Strategic raid participation this month offers significant benefits for collectors and battlers alike. The Unova legendary trio of Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion appear first, followed by individual appearances from Kyurem, Reshiram, and Zekrom throughout the month’s progression.

Five-Star Raids

November 25-December 4

• Cobalion
• Terrakion
• Virizion

December 4-13

• Kyurem

December 13-22

• Reshiram

December 22-31

• Zekrom

Mega Raids

November 25-December 4

• Mega Aerodactyl
• Mega Medicham
• Mega Garchomp

December 4-13

• Mega Gyarados

December 13-22

• Mega Abomasnow

December 22-31

• Mega Glalie

Shadow Raids

Weekends in December

• Shadow Heatran

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)

Tuesday evenings continue to deliver focused Pokemon encounters with December’s Spotlight Hour schedule. Each week from 6-7 PM local time, trainers can capitalize on concentrated spawns of specific species while enjoying valuable bonus multipliers.

Proper preparation for these hourly events significantly enhances your rewards. Stock up on Pokeballs beforehand and ensure you have sufficient storage space for the increased catch opportunities.

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

Pokemon Go introduces the Paldea region with a week-long celebration spanning December 2-9. This debut event marks the first appearance of Nacli, the rock-type Pokemon that becomes available through wild encounters throughout the event duration.

The standout feature includes Paldean Tauros appearing as three-star raid bosses with distinct regional forms. Blaze Breed dominates the Eastern Hemisphere while Aqua Breed controls the Western Hemisphere. Combat Breed remains exclusive to trainers located within the Iberian Peninsula.

Event bonuses provide substantial experience gains, making this an optimal period for level progression. Raid victories yield double XP rewards while Pokemon evolution provides additional double XP bonuses.

Featured Pokemon

Wild Encounters

December 2, 4, 6, 8

• Larvitar
• Drifloon
• Skrelp

December 3, 5, 7, 9

• Misdreavus
• Bagon
• Clauncher

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

December’s Community Day adopts an expanded two-day format running December 6-7, providing comprehensive access to featured Pokemon from throughout the past year. This structure allows trainers to focus on specific species each day while benefiting from extended duration bonuses.

The event structure divides previous Community Day Pokemon across both days, ensuring manageable encounter rates while maximizing shiny hunting potential. Temporary evolution requirement reductions significantly lower the barrier for obtaining rare evolutions like Espeon, Umbreon, and Sylveon.

Resource multipliers create ideal conditions for stockpiling essential items. Double Stardust, XP, and candy from catches combine with reduced hatch distances and extended item durations.

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 Focus

Fighting-type Pokemon take center stage during the Well Armed event from December 11-16. This marks the debut appearance of Clobbopus, the fighting octopus Pokemon available through wild encounters and Field Research task rewards.

The event features increased shiny encounter rates for Dynamax Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan, making it prime hunting territory for collectors seeking these specialized variants.

Bonuses

• 2x candy for catching Pokemon
• Increased chance to encounter shiny Dynamax Hitmonlee and shiny Dynamax Hitmonchan

Gigantamax Snorlax Max Battle Day

December 14 brings a special Max Battle Day featuring Gigantamax Snorlax. From 2-5 PM local time, this formidable six-star raid boss appears at Power Spots with enhanced shiny encounter rates.

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 Celebration Part 1

The first segment of the Winter Holiday event runs December 18-24, introducing festive-themed Pokemon variants. Sudowoodo appears dressed as a Christmas tree while Charjabug sports present-themed attire throughout the celebration period.

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

December brings an exciting rotation of raid bosses to Pokémon GO, featuring both familiar favorites and challenging new encounters. The month is strategically divided between legendary Pokémon, mega-evolved forms, and special shadow raid events that require different battle approaches.

Trainers can anticipate the return of powerful legendary Pokémon from the Unova region in five-star raids, providing opportunities to capture rare species that haven’t been available recently. Simultaneously, mega raids will feature formidable evolved forms including Mega Gyarados and Mega Abomasnow, each demanding specific counter strategies. Additionally, shadow raids introduce Shadow Heatran every weekend, presenting unique purification challenges and rewards.

Understanding the complete raid schedule below will help you plan your battle teams, coordinate with fellow trainers, and maximize your chances of capturing these exclusive Pokémon throughout the holiday season.

November 25-December 4

November 25-December 4

The initial phase features Unova region legendaries that require careful team preparation. These five-star raids typically demand 3-6 trained trainers depending on your level and available counters. Optimal teams include Pokémon with type advantages against the specific legendary’s weaknesses.

Each weekly Dynamax Pokémon presents distinct type advantages and requires specific counter teams. Planning your battle parties in advance ensures you can efficiently defeat these raids without wasting precious raid passes or time. Consider building specialized teams for each rotation to maximize your success rate.

Mega Gyarados presents a unique dual typing of water/dark, making it vulnerable to electric, grass, fighting, bug, and fairy attacks. Optimal counters include Pokémon like Zekrom, Roserade, Conkeldurr, and Togekiss. Successfully defeating Mega Gyarados rewards substantial mega energy, crucial for evolving your own Gyarados.

Mega Abomasnow, as grass/ice-type, has multiple weaknesses including fire, flying, poison, rock, steel, bug, and fighting. This diverse vulnerability profile means many trainers will have suitable counters available, though coordinated teams still yield better rewards.

Shadow Heatran appears exclusively during weekend shadow raids throughout December, presenting additional challenges compared to regular raids. Shadow bosses have boosted attack power but reduced defense, changing the typical battle dynamics. Purification after capture provides stat bonuses and reduced Stardust costs for powering up.

These special raids require understanding shadow mechanics, including the frustration charged move that can only be removed during specific events. Planning your shadow raid schedule around these weekends ensures you don’t miss this limited-time opportunity.

The Pokemon Go Winter Holiday celebration kicks off its initial phase from December 18 through December 24, offering trainers a week-long festive experience. This seasonal event mirrors previous years’ formats while introducing fresh content and enhanced reward systems that make participation particularly rewarding for both casual and dedicated players.

During this period, trainers can expect a winter wonderland atmosphere with special ice-type Pokemon appearances, exclusive avatar items, and multiple stacking bonuses that significantly accelerate progression. The event structure encourages daily engagement through time-limited opportunities that shouldn’t be missed.

This year’s winter celebration introduces two specially dressed Pokemon: Sudowoodo sporting Christmas tree decorations and Charjabug adorned as a festive present. These costumed creatures appear in three-star Raid battles and wild encounters, providing multiple acquisition methods.

Alongside these exclusive variants, trainers will encounter increased spawns of ice-type Pokemon including Swinub and Spheal throughout the event duration. The dual availability in both raids and wild spawns ensures consistent opportunities to capture these limited-time variants regardless of your preferred playstyle.

Egg enthusiasts receive special treatment with dramatically improved shiny hatch rates for Pichu and Cubchoo from 7km eggs. This represents one of the best chances to obtain these sought-after shiny variants throughout the entire year.

Power Spots receive substantial upgrades during the event, with every location hosting Gigantamax battles and refreshing at accelerated intervals. These enhanced locations yield eight times the normal Max Particle quantity, creating prime farming opportunities.

Exploration receives significant boosts with doubled Max Particle rewards from standard activities and requiring only one-quarter of the usual adventuring distance to earn particles. This combination dramatically reduces the time investment needed for particle acquisition.

Trading capabilities expand with permission for two extra Special Trades daily, facilitating better Pokemon exchange strategies among friends. Additionally, the Go Pass milestone system unlocks supplementary bonuses as you progress, while the in-game shop stocks new festive avatar items for customization.

Maximize your event participation by prioritizing Power Spot visits during your daily routine, as these locations offer the most concentrated reward opportunities. Schedule Raid participation around the festive Pokemon appearances to ensure you capture multiple copies of each costumed variant.

Avoid the common mistake of overlooking the reduced adventuring distance bonus—this dramatically accelerates particle accumulation with minimal effort. Plan your Special Trades in advance to leverage the additional daily allowances effectively.

For optimal shiny hunting, focus on acquiring and hatching 7km eggs throughout the event window. The enhanced rates provide substantially better odds than normal circumstances, making this a prime opportunity for completionists.

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