Pokémon GO is closing out 2025 with a New Year’s Event focused on raiding, costumed Pokémon, and permanent changes to the Lucky trade system. The event runs from December 31, 2025, at 10:00 local time until January 4, 2026, at 20:00 local time, and overlaps with an already packed December calendar.
While the Winter Holiday event begins earlier in the month with its own seasonal content, the New Year’s Event brings exclusive bonuses and rewards aimed at encouraging active play during the year’s final days.
Event Window and Seasonal Context
New Year’s Event
- December 31, 2025, 10:00 local time
- January 4, 2026, 20:00 local time
Winter Holiday Event
- Begins December 18, 2025
- Runs separately with winter-themed Pokémon, eggs, and avatar items
The New Year’s Event layers its bonuses and encounters on top of December’s broader seasonal activities rather than replacing them.
Core Event Bonuses and Gameplay Changes
During the New Year’s Event, players can take advantage of several boosted systems designed to reward raiding and catching Pokémon.
Event Bonuses
- Double XP from Raid Battles
- Double Stardust from all catches
- Fireworks visuals added to the skybox during the event
- One extra free Raid Pass per day from Photo Disk spins (two per day total)
These bonuses strongly favor raid-focused gameplay and Stardust farming throughout the event window.
Timed Research and Shop Items
Paid Timed Research
A $1.99 Timed Research ticket will be available and includes:
- Two Premium Battle Passes
- 3,000 Stardust
- Encounters with Top Hat Pikachu
Avatar Customization
- Blacephalon Boots will be added to the in-game shop as a cosmetic avatar item during the event.
Featured Pokémon and Encounters
Wild Encounters and Research Rewards
The following costumed Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild and through Field Research:
- Top Hat Pikachu
- Party Hat Bulbasaur
- Ribbon Jigglypuff
- New Year’s Hoothoot
All featured Pokémon have a chance to appear as shiny variants.
Raid Line-up
One-Star Raids
- Party Hat Wurmple
- Party Hat Pikachu
Three-Star Raids
- Party Hat Raticate
- Party Hat Nidorino
- Party Hat Gengar
- Party Hat Wobbuffet
Lucky Trade System Changes
One of the most impactful updates arrives alongside the New Year’s Event with changes to Lucky trading.
Lucky Trade Updates
- Lucky trade cap increased from 35 to 45
- Any Pokémon caught and stored since 2020 will be guaranteed to become Lucky when traded until the new cap is reached
This change is permanent and significantly benefits long-term players holding older Pokémon.
December 2025 Event Overview
December remains one of Pokémon GO’s busiest months, with multiple events running alongside the New Year’s celebration.
Ongoing and Upcoming December Highlights
- Year-end Community Day returns
- Rotating Max Raids featuring Pokémon such as Darumaka and Cryogonal
- Additional five-star raid rotations
- Multiple Spotlight Hours throughout the month
Winter Holiday Event Highlights (Starting Dec 18)
- Costumed Pokémon including Sudowoodo, Charjabug, Eevee, Dedenne, and Vikavolt
- Increased spawns of Swinub, Snorunt, and Spheal
- Winter-themed avatar clothing
- Eggs favoring Ice-type Pokémon such as Smoochum, Cryogonal, and Snom
Final Thoughts
Pokémon GO’s New Year’s Event 2025 delivers a strong mix of short-term bonuses and long-term improvements, especially with the Lucky trade system update. Combined with December’s stacked event schedule, players have plenty of incentives to stay active through the end of the year and into early 2026.
