Pokémon GO Winter Holiday 2023 Event Details and Guide

Get ready to deck the halls and catch some festive fun as Pokémon GO’s Winter Holiday 2023 event returns with the debut of the icy Terra Whale Pokémon Cetoddle and Cetitan, holiday-costumed Pikachu and Raichu, and a flurry of winter-themed bonuses and challenges from December 18 through December 31. Whether you’re chasing double XP or double Stardust, this two-part celebration promises snowy adventures, exclusive Timed Research, and plenty of chances to fill your Pokédex with seasonal surprises.

This event comes with bonus XP and Stardust from opening gifts throughout both parts. There’s also a perk of either doubled catch XP or doubled catch Stardust, depending on what you pick in a Timed Research set.

Below we list out all the Timed Research, alongside other perks from the Pokémon Go “Winter Holiday” 2023 event below.

Pokémon Go ’Winter Holiday’ 2023 event Timed Research: ’Winter Wishes’

The Pokémon Go Winter Holiday 2023 event features the exclusive Timed Research called “Winter Wishes,” available to all Trainers throughout both parts of the event until December 31, 2023. This free, branching Timed Research allows players to choose between two bonus paths: earning 2× XP or 2× Stardust for catching Pokémon. Regardless of the path chosen, Trainers will receive various winter-themed Pokémon encounters, including holiday-costumed Pikachu and Psyduck, as well as valuable rewards like Glacial Lure Modules and Silver Pinap Berries. The research tasks involve catching Pokémon, spinning PokéStops, powering up Pokémon, and sending gifts, with the choice of path affecting the specific tasks and bonuses for the entire event duration.

This research lasts until the event ends on Dec. 31.

Step 1 of 2

Catch 5 Pokémon (1 Glacial Lure Module)
Spin 3 PokéStops or gyms (Pikachu [holiday attire] encounter)
Power up Pokémon 5 times (2 Silver Pinap Berry)

Rewards: 500 Stardust, 500 XP

After this step, you’ll be prompted with a choice: catch Pokémon or collect Stardust. Whatever you pick has importance beyond the task set you’ll get next. If you choose to catch Pokémon, you’ll get doubled catch XP, while if you opt to go after Stardust, you’ll get doubled catch Stardust. Pick whichever you need!

Step 2 of 2

Catch 10 Pokémon (Spheal [holiday scarf] encounter)
Catch 25 Pokémon (Eevee [holiday hat] encounter)
Catch 40 ice-type Pokémon (Lapras encounter)
Catch 8 different species of ice-type Pokémon (Stantler [holiday collar] encounter)
Earn 25,000 XP (catching) or earn 7,500 Stardust (Stardust) (Cetoddle encounter)
Send 25 gifts to friends (Raticate encounter)

Rewards: Galarian Mr. Mime encounter, 1 Lucky Egg or Star Piece

If you picked XP, you get a Lucky Egg as a reward. If you picked Stardust, you get a Star Piece.

Pokémon Go ’Winter Holiday’ 2023 event Timed Research: ’Frosty Festivities’

The Pokémon Go Winter Holiday 2023 event features the Timed Research titled “Frosty Festivities,” available during Part 1 of the event from December 18 to December 25, 2023. This Timed Research offers players a series of tasks centered around winter and Ice-type Pokémon, including spinning PokéStops, catching Ice-type Pokémon, and making curveball throws. Completing these tasks rewards encounters with festive Pokémon such as Holiday Cubchoo, Holiday Spheal, and Holiday Attire Pikachu, along with useful items like Pinap Berries, Incense, and an Incubator. Players can purchase this Timed Research for $5 and must complete it before December 31, 2023, at 8 PM local time. The event also includes the debut of the Terra Whale Pokémon, Cetoddle and its evolution Cetitan, and features a choice between bonuses of double XP or double Stardust for catching Pokémon during the event.

This is a paid research, so you’ll need to buy a ticket from the shop for $4.99. You can figure out if you think it’s worth buying from the rewards below. (If you like special poses and costumed Pokémon, it’ll probably be worth it for you.) Niantic’s event page notes that you’ll also get doubled candy from catching Pokémon if you buy this ticket as well. Note that it is still timed, meaning it does expire at the end of the event.

Step 1 of 4

Spin 10 PokéStops (Cubchoo [holiday ribbon] encounter)
Catch 25 ice-type Pokémon (Spheal [holiday scarf] encounter)
Make 20 curveball throws (Pikachu [holiday attire] encounter)

Rewards: Galarian Mr. Mime encounter, Winter Pose

Step 2 of 4

Use 20 berries to help catch Pokémon (Stantler [holiday collar] encounter)
Transfer 25 Pokémon (Delibird [holiday ribbon] encounter)
Catch 30 ice-type Pokémon (Eevee [holiday hat] encounter)

Rewards: Lapras encounter, 3 Silver Pinap Berries

Step 3 of 4

Make 30 curveball throws (Cubchoo [holiday ribbon] encounter)
Send 10 gifts to friends (Spheal [holiday scarf] encounter)
Catch 40 ice-type Pokémon (Pikachu [holiday attire] encounter)

Rewards: Glaceon (holiday attire) encounter, 1 Incense

Step 4 of 4

Transfer 30 Pokémon (Stantler [holiday collar] encounter)
Explore 5 km (Delibird [holiday ribbon] encounter)
Catch 50 ice-type Pokémon (Eevee [holiday hat] encounter)

Rewards: Psyduck (holiday attire) encounter, 1 Egg Incubator

Pokémon Go ’Winter Holiday’ 2023 event Timed Research: ’Winter Holiday Part 1 and 2’

The Pokémon Go Winter Holiday 2023 event features a two-part Timed Research called “Winter Holiday Part 1 and 2,” available for purchase with a $2 ticket. Completing these timed research tasks rewards players with encounters of event-themed Pokémon such as Spheal and Psyduck wearing holiday attire, Cryogonal, Cubchoo with a holiday ribbon, and more. Players also receive Premium Battle Passes as rewards. The event runs from December 18 to December 31, 2023, with Part 1 ending on December 25 and Part 2 starting immediately after. Additionally, players can choose a bonus for completing the research, either double XP or double Stardust for catching Pokémon. The timed research and rewards must be completed and claimed before December 31 at 8:00 p.m. local time.

These are also paid research tasks that will expire at the end of the event. You get both research for $1.99, and the tasks and rewards are virtually the same, according to sources like LeekDuck and Serebii.net. You can see what both sets of research reward below:

Step 1 of 1

Catch 10 Pokémon (Cetoddle encounter)
Catch 20 Pokémon (Sneasel encounter)
Catch 30 Pokémon (Galarian Darumaka encounter)
Catch 40 Pokémon (Spheal [holiday scarf] encounter)
Use 10 berries to help catch Pokémon (Pikachu [holiday attire] encounter)
Use 20 berries to help catch Pokémon (Stantler [holiday collar] encounter for part 1, Delibird [holiday ribbon] encounter for part 2)
Catch 4 different species of ice-type Pokémon (Eevee [holiday hat] encounter)
Catch 6 different species of ice-type Pokémon (Cryogonal encounter)
Catch 8 different species of ice-type Pokémon (Amaura encounter)
Catch 10 different species of ice-type Pokémon (Glaceon [holiday attire] encounter)

Rewards: Psyduck (holiday attire) encounter, 2 Premium Battle Passes, 5,000 XP

Pokémon Go ’Winter Holiday’ 2023 event Field Research

The Pokémon Go Winter Holiday 2023 event features a special Field Research component with seven tasks that trainers can complete to earn rewards such as encounters with festive Pokémon and useful items. Tasks include catching Ice-type Pokémon, catching different species, winning raids, opening gifts, and sending gifts with stickers. Rewards include encounters with Holiday Attire Pikachu, Alolan Sandshrew, Holiday Cubchoo, Jynx, and others, along with items like Pinap Berries and Mega Energy for Abomasnow and Glalie. This Field Research is part of the event running from December 18 to 25, 2023, and complements the broader Winter Holiday festivities including new Pokémon debuts and themed bonuses.

Spinning PokéStops during the event period may net you one of these event Field Research Tasks:

Catch 5 different species of Pokémon (Stantler (holiday collar or Spheal [holiday scarf] encounter)
Catch 5 ice-type Pokémon (5 Poké Balls, 5 Pinap Berries, 5 Razz Berries, or 3 Ultra Balls)
Catch 7 ice-type Pokémon (Shellder, Snover, or Vanillite encounter)
Catch 10 different species of Pokémon (Jynx or Psyduck [holiday attire] encounter)
Open 5 gifts (Pikachu [holiday attire] or Alolan Vulpix encounter)
Send 3 gifts and add a sticker to each (Crabrawler encounter, 25 Abomasnow Mega Energy, or 25 Glalie Mega Energy)
Win a raid (Lapras encounter or Glaceon [winter attire] encounter)

Pokémon Go ’Winter Holiday’ 2023 event boosted spawns

The Pokémon Go Winter Holiday 2023 event featured boosted spawns of various Ice-type and holiday-themed Pokémon, including Pikachu and Eevee wearing festive hats, as well as new additions like Cetoddle and its evolution Cetitan. Players could encounter increased numbers of Pokémon such as Seel, Sneasel, Swinub, Piloswine, and Galarian Darumaka in the wild, raids, and through field research tasks. The event also offered bonuses like double XP and Stardust from catching Pokémon and opening gifts, making it an excellent opportunity for trainers to catch rare and shiny variants during the holiday season.

These Pokémon will be spawning more frequently during the whole event:

Pikachu (holiday attire)
Seel
Eevee (holiday hat)
Sneasel
Swinub
Piloswine
Galarian Darumaka
Cryogonal
Amaura
Cetoddle

These Pokémon will be spawning more frequently during part 1 of the event:

Alolan Sandshrew
Stantler (holiday collar)
Spheal (holiday scarf)
Bergmite

These Pokémon will be spawning more frequently during part 2 of the event:

Alolan Vulpix (Part 2 only)
Psyduck (holiday attire) (Part 2 only)
Delibird (holiday ribbon) (Part 2 only)
Spheal (Part 2 only)
Vanillite (Part 2 only)
Cubchoo (holiday ribbon) (Part 2 only)

Pokémon Go ’Winter Holiday’ 2023 event 2 km egg hatches

During the Pokémon Go Winter Holiday 2023 event Part 2, which runs from December 25 to December 31, several festive Pokémon will hatch from 2 km Eggs. These include Psyduck wearing holiday attire, Eevee with a holiday hat, Galarian Darumaka, Smoochum, and Amaura. Notably, Eevee and Psyduck hatched from these eggs have a higher chance of being shiny, making them especially sought after during the event. Players can obtain these 2 km Eggs by spinning PokéStops and should aim to hatch them during the event period to catch these special holiday-themed Pokémon.

Eggs obtained from PokéStops during the event period has a chance of giving you one of the following:

Psyduck (holiday attire)
Eevee (holiday hat)
Smoochum
Galarian Darumaka
Amaura

Starting in part 2 of the event, Psyduck (holiday attire) will also be obtainable in 2 km eggs.

Pokémon Go ’Winter Holiday’ 2023 event raid targets

During the Pokémon Go Winter Holiday 2023 event, raid targets include a variety of Ice-type and holiday-themed Pokémon. In 1-star raids, players can encounter Holiday Attire Pikachu, Alolan Sandshrew, Holiday Spheal, Crabrawler, and the newly introduced Cetoddle. The 3-star raids feature Dewgong, Lapras, Holiday Stantler, and Undersea Holiday Glaceon. For 5-star raids, Kyurem will be available until December 23, after which Regigigas will take its place. Mega raids will feature Mega Abomasnow until December 23, followed by Mega Glalie. This lineup offers trainers a festive mix of classic and new Pokémon to battle and catch during the event.

These Pokémon will be in raids during the event period:

Pikachu (holiday attire)
Crabrawler
Cetoddle
Dewgong
Lapras
Glaceon (holiday outfit)

How can I maximize my rewards during Pokémon Go’s Winter Holiday 2023 event

To maximize your rewards during Pokémon GO’s Winter Holiday 2023 event, follow these key strategies:

Complete the free Winter Wishes Timed Research, choosing between two reward paths: double XP for catching Pokémon or double Stardust. This research spans both parts of the event and offers valuable encounters and items such as Glacial Lure Modules and Holiday Attire Pikachu.
Consider purchasing the paid Winter Holiday Timed Research ticket for Part 1 and Part 2, which unlocks additional tasks and exclusive rewards including Holiday Psyduck, Cetoddle, Cryogonal, and Premium Battle Passes. Tasks involve catching increasing numbers of Pokémon, using berries, and catching various Ice-type species.
Use Pinap and Silver Pinap Berries to maximize candy gains when catching Pokémon, especially Ice-types featured in the event. Mega Evolving Ice-type Pokémon like Mega Abomasnow or Mega Glalie further boosts candy and XP gains for catches of matching types.
Take advantage of special trades during the event to gain guaranteed XL Candy, particularly by trading large quantities of event Pokémon like Galarian Darumaka and Swinub. Use your five special trades per day around December 23-24 to optimize candy and complete your Pokédex.
Participate in raids during the event, ideally while using Lucky Eggs, to maximize XP gains. The event features holiday-themed raid bosses such as Lapras and Glaceon, offering strong rewards and shiny chances.
Regularly spin PokéStops and open gifts to fulfill research tasks and earn encounters with festive Pokémon like Holiday Attire Pikachu and Stantler.

By combining timed research completion, berry usage, Mega Evolutions, strategic trading, and raid participation, you can efficiently maximize your XP, Stardust, candy, and exclusive Pokémon rewards throughout the Winter Holiday 2023 event.

How can I efficiently complete the Winter Wishes Timed Research for maximum rewards

To efficiently complete the Winter Wishes Timed Research in Pokémon GO for maximum rewards, follow these steps:

Complete Step 1 Quickly
- Catch 5 Pokémon to earn a Glacial Lure Module.
- Spin 3 PokéStops or Gyms to encounter Holiday Attire Pikachu.
- Power up Pokémon 5 times to receive 2 Silver Pinap Berries.
  Completing these tasks grants 500 XP and 500 Stardust and unlocks Step 2 where you choose your path.
Choose Your Bonus Path Wisely
You must pick between:
- x2 Catch XP Path: Focuses on gaining double XP for catching Pokémon.
- x2 Catch Stardust Path: Focuses on earning double Stardust from catches.
  This choice is permanent for the event, so select based on your goals (XP or Stardust).
Follow the Tasks for Your Chosen Path
Both paths involve catching increasing numbers of Pokémon and Ice-type Pokémon, plus sending gifts:
- Catch 10, 25, and 40 Pokémon (including Ice-types like Lapras).
- Catch different species of Ice-type Pokémon.
- Send 25 gifts to friends.
  Completing these will reward encounters with special Pokémon like Cetoddle, Holiday Stantler, and Galarian Mr. Mime, plus either a Lucky Egg (XP path) or Star Piece (Stardust path).
Use Low-CP Pokémon for Stardust Efficiency
When catching Pokémon for Stardust, use low-CP Pokémon to maximize Stardust gains efficiently, as recommended by community players.
Utilize Event Bonuses and Items
Use Glacial Lure Modules to attract Ice-type Pokémon, and Silver Pinap Berries to maximize candy. Mega Evolving Ice-type Pokémon boosts candy and XP gains for Ice-type catches, helping complete tasks faster.
Plan Your Playtime
The Timed Research runs until December 31, 2023, giving ample time to complete tasks at your own pace. Prioritize catching Ice-type Pokémon and sending gifts daily to steadily progress.

By following these steps-quickly completing Step 1, carefully choosing your bonus path, targeting task-specific catches, and using berries and lures-you can efficiently complete the Winter Wishes Timed Research and maximize your rewards during the Winter Holiday 2023 event.