January 7, 2021

Celebrate the end of 2020 with December events!

Celebrate the end of 2020 with December events!

UPDATE 01/07/2021: Due to an issue that occurred during Snover Spotlight Hour, we’re holding a regional makeup event on Monday, January 11, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time for GMT +11, GMT +12, and GMT +13. During this makeup event, Snover will be in the spotlight and Trainers in the affected areas will have the following bonuses:

  • Double Catch XP
  • Double Lucky Egg Duration
  • Double Evolution XP

Update 2020/11/27: Trainers, we have updated details regarding Mega Raids. Beginning Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 1:00 p.m PST (GMT −8), Mega Blastoise, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Pidgeot, and Mega Houndoom will all be leaving Mega Raids. Following that, Mega Raids will be featuring Mega Charizard X, Mega Gengar and Mega Abomasnow.


Trainers,

The year may be coming to a close, but it’s not over yet! We’ve got lots of fun in store to wrap up 2020 as we head into the holiday season. Let’s GO!

December Research Breakthrough encounter

From Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, January 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8), Trainers will have a chance of encountering either Lapras or Unovan Darumaka in Research Breakthrough encounters, and catching either will reward bonus XP.

The Legendary Pokémon Kyurem returns to raids, and Mega Abomasnow arrives in Pokémon GO

The Legendary Pokémon Kyurem will be appearing in five-star raids from Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, January 1, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8). Don’t miss your chance to encounter the Boundary Pokémon!

In addition, Mega Abomasnow will be appearing in Mega Raids beginning Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 1:00 p.m PST (GMT −8). Mega Blastoise, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Pidgeot, and Mega Houndoom will all be leaving Mega Raids. Following that, Mega Raids will be featuring Mega Charizard X, Mega Gengar and Mega Abomasnow.

Pokémon Spotlight Hours

In the month of December, Pokémon Spotlight Hour will take place every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. local time, and each hour will spotlight a different Pokémon and special bonus!

  • Tuesday, December 1, 2020: Seel will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the XP for evolving Pokémon.
  • Tuesday, December 8, 2020: Swinub will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Stardust for catching Pokémon.
  • Tuesday, December 15, 2020: A surprise Pokémon will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Candy for catching Pokémon.
  • Tuesday, December 22, 2020: Snorunt will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Candy for transferring Pokémon.
  • Tuesday, December 29, 2020: Snover will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the XP for evolving Pokémon.

Double Catch XP bonus ends Thursday, December 31, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. local time

As part of our huge GO Beyond update in December, we’ll be increasing the level cap to 50! To help Trainers level up during this time, a double Catch XP bonus has been live since Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., and it’ll stay in effect until Thursday, December 31, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. local time.

More exciting feature updates

Managing your Pokémon is about to become much easier with the introduction of Pokémon tagging and other general search updates. Pokémon tagging will allow you to create different colored tags, apply them to Pokémon, and use them to filter Pokémon in your collection. The Pokémon search function will also be updated to allow for enhanced usability. When you tap into the search bar, a new screen will appear with recommended search terms, such as Pokémon Type, Region, Buddy Level, Shiny, and more.

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change. Be sure to follow us on social media, opt in to receiving push notifications, and subscribe to our emails to stay updated. For the latest on in-game events and feature updates, be sure to check this help center article.

—The Pokémon GO team