Pokemon GO Reveals New Years Event Bonuses and Rewards

Pokemon GO revealed its upcoming New Years Event for players and highlighted all the bonuses and details to expect, including unique costumed pocket monsters to encounter. As a live service title for mobile users, Niantic is constantly adding new features and seasonal content to keep Pokemon GO players logging in often. This also includes special holiday events that come around only once a year.

In fact, December 2025 as a whole is already proving to be a busy month for players. Earlier this month, Pokemon GO held its annual end of the year Community Day, bringing back various Pokemon from the entire year and giving players another chance to catch them. December 2025 in Pokemon GO also features plenty 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 Years event for players to take part in.

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Pokemon GO New Years Event Start and End Times

December 31, 2025 at 10am to January 4, 2026 at 8pm local time

Kicking off on New Year’s Eve, Pokemon GO is starting its end of the year event at 10am locally for all players. At the start of the New Year’s event, players will likely notice festive fireworks being fired off into the game’s skybox, and they’ll be able to earn 2x XP from Raid battles and double the amount of Stardust earned. Of course, the event brings with it costumed Pokemon to catch, including a special Pikachu wearing a star top hat in the wild and during raids.

However, that’s not all! Wild encounters could also feature Party Hat Bulbasaur, a ribbon wearing Jigglypuff, as well as a New Years party-style Hoothoot. Of course, players have a chance to add to their Shiny Pokemon collection as there is a small chance these encounters could be of their shiny variants. Field Research task rewards could also lead to these special encounters.

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

Finally, for players who want to spend a little more on the game, Niantic is offering timed research for $1.99 and allows players to gain one additional Raid Pass from spinning Photo Disks, for a daily total of 2 instead of the normal 1. The Timed Research will include two Premium Battle Passes, 3,000 Stardust, and encounters with the New Years themed Top Hat Pikachu. The in-game shop will also be selling Blacephalon Boots, wearable by the player’s avatar.

However, with that event still weeks away, players have more content to look forward to coming as soon as this week. Pokemon GO‘s Winter Holiday starts on December 18 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 rock Pokemon Sudowoodo is dressed similarly to a Christmas tree. Swinub, Snorunt, and Spheal are also going to be featured and players can score new winter-themed avatar gear. Eggs also have a higher chance of hatching Ice-types, including the likes of Smoochum, Cryogonal, and Snom.