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Niantic is closing the year with one of its most festive updates. Throughout the year, the game received multiple updates and events, but Pokémon GO Winter Holiday 2025 Part 1 is different from others.
This event has officially introduced a wave of new costumed Pokémon, shiny boosts, themed encounters, raid lineups, and the seasonal GO Pass packed with rewards. As per the announcement, the event will run from December 18 to December 24, offering players a mix of nostalgia, bonuses, and collectible creatures.
Every Pokemon GO update refreshes in-game content, but this time, Niantic has been going a step further and bringing event-exclusive Pokémon and reward tracks, some of which will continue even after the end of the event, with the GO Pass milestones.
Niantic has already confirmed the first wave of Winter Holiday Part 1 costumed Pokemon that players can collect. The standout arrivals include festive versions of Sudowoodo, Charjabug, and Vikavolt, wearing holiday attire. If players capture a Charjabug wearing holiday attire, they can evolve it into Vikavolt, wearing holiday attire. The process requires a Magnetic Lure module and 100 Grubbin Candy.
Among the wild Pokemon, players can capture event-themed Swinub, Snorunt, Spheal, Snom, and costumed Sudowoodo or Charjabug. There’s a high chance that these will be Shiny versions.
The biggest highlight of the event includes Niantic increasing the possibility of catching a shiny Pichu wearing a festive hat and a Cubchoo with a holiday ribbon. Therefore, trainers who have been opting for holiday-exclusive shinies have their best odds during these seven days.
In three-star raids, players will face costumed Sudowoodo, costumed Charjabug, and Hisuian Avalugg in rotation. Some of the festive avatar items will be added to the in-game shop, including a Charjabug Bag and a Sudowoodo Holiday Sweater.
Aside from the event spawns, the developer has been adding GO Pass. From December 18 to December 29, when the event is on, players will get access to the GO Pass. The free tiers will be for everyone, while the GO Pass Deluxe version offers upgraded rewards.
Progressing through these ranks will unlock the following rewards:
Snom encounter
Stardust, Candy, XP, and Poké Balls
Premium Battle Passes
Rare Candy XL
Incubators
Exclusive avatar items for Deluxe tier holders
The GO Pass system keeps players engaged beyond the first week of the event by giving them goals to grind through the holiday season.
Also Read: How to Get Mighty Pokemon in Pokemon Go?
The key question for trainers remains whether the mix of costumed Pokemon, shiny boosts, and GO Pass will deliver one of Pokémon GO’s strongest year-end events to date. The success depends on high engagement, especially with boosted hatch odds and exclusive rewards.
However, how players respond to the shiny rates, GO Pass progression, and raid rotation will determine whether this event becomes one of the most successful. With Part 2 yet to be revealed, Niantic may still have surprises that could elevate December even further.
