The holiday season has finally arrived and Pokemon GO is more than ready for this time of year. December 2022's in-game calendar of events is jam-packed and the real fun starts later this week with the arrival of the Winter Holiday Part 1 event for fans of the mobile AR game.

The early weeks of the Season of Mythical Wishes have been full of excitement and things aren't going to slow down when this event fires off. The holidays have always been a special time in Pokemon GO and the tradition continues this year with a special event full of holiday outfits, special Battle Raid bosses, and some exciting gift-giving bonuses.

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Players are going to have a lot of motivation to head out and battle raid bosses this week thanks to a massive 50% XP bonus for successful Battle Raids. That combined with all of the unique Pokemon appearing as Field Research rewards and hatching from 7km Eggs should be enough to motivate players to bundle up and head out in to the cold for a some mobile gaming...

Pokemon GO Winter Breakthrough
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Winter Holiday Part 1 Date and Time

Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. To Friday, December 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Local time

Bonuses

  • Trainers can store up to 40 Gifts until the end of the event
  • 50% more XP for winning Raid Battles
  • Special Holiday themed Avatar items and stickers

Wild Encounters

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild.

Pikachu

Swinub

Delibird

Snorunt

Spheal

Snover

Cubchoo

Bergmite

Vanillite

If you’re lucky:

Vulpix (Alola)

Stantler

Cryogonal

Eggs

The following Pokémon will hatch from 7km Eggs.

Sneasel

Smoochum

Bergmite

Amaura

Crabrawler

Field Research Encounter

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild.

Pikachu

Vulpix (Alola)

Seel

Shellder

Jynx

Spheal

Crabrawler

Stantler

If you’re lucky:

Sneasel

Glaceon

Timed Research Details

Complete the research tasks to earn an event-themed avatar pose!

Other Timed Research rewards include:

  • Two Incubators
  • One Incense
  • Abomasnow Mega Energy
  • Various event-themed Pokémon encounters

IMPORTANT: Please note that Timed Research expires. The tasks associated with Timed Research must be completed and their rewards must be claimed before Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. Local time. Trainers will be able to purchase and gift tickets to any of their Pokemon GO friends that they have achieved a Friendship level of Great Friends or higher with. Please note that purchases—including those made for other Trainers—are non-refundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service). Tickets cannot be purchased with PokéCoins.

That should be just about everything trainers need to know to prepare for the upcoming event. More details about Part 2 and the remaining December events will be arriving in the coming weeks. Be sure to check back in the near future for lots more Pokemon GO strategy guides, news, and updates. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!

Pokemon GO is available now in select regions on Android and iOS devices.

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