Alright Mates, It's Holiday Season in Pokémon GO – Let's Unpack What Niantic's Cookin' for Part 1!
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Niantic's rolling out Winter Holiday Part 1 for Pokémon GO, bringing a flurry of new costumed critters, festive raids, and a shiny new GO Pass to keep trainers busy 'til the new year – because who needs a break, eh? (Original source: Tyler Shipley, Game Rant)
Right then, gather 'round, you lovely lot, because the digital scrolls have been unfurled, and it seems Niantic's been busy brewing up a festive storm for Pokémon GO. We're talking about the Winter Holiday Part 1 for 2025, and fair warning: it sounds like a proper jingle-bell explosion of new critters and… well, you guessed it, a shiny new GO Pass. This cracker of a story originally landed on our digital doorstep via Tyler Shipley over at Game Rant, so cheers to them for the heads-up! It's always good to have some early intel before we dive headfirst into the inevitable chaos.
Now, if you're like me, you're probably still trying to wrap your head around the fact that 2025 is *already* wrapping up. Seems like just yesterday we were debating if that level cap increase to 80 (back in October, remember that scramble?) was a blessing or a curse. But never mind that, because Niantic, bless 'em, never sleeps. They're still finding ways to keep us tapping and trekking, even after introducing so many new 'mons this year – Tarountula, Spidops, Dipplin, Hydrapple, the whole bloomin' gang. Honestly, I reckon they're running low on new faces to add, which means they're getting *real* creative with the costumes. And frankly, that's where the real magic happens, isn't it?
So, what's on the menu for Winter Holiday Part 1, kicking off on Thursday, December 18th, and running till Wednesday, December 24th? Hold onto your Poké Balls, because we've got some fresh threads on old favourites. Feast your eyes on *new costumed Pokémon debuts*: festive versions of Sudowoodo, Charjabug, and Vikavolt, all decked out in their holiday finest. Sudowoodo in a Santa hat? Charjabug wrapped up like a tiny present? I'm not gonna lie, that sounds delightfully silly, and I'm all for it.
Beyond the new fancy-dress party, you'll be spotting plenty of event-themed Pokémon in the wild. Think your usual frosty suspects like Swinub, Snorunt, and Spheal. And yes, those new holiday-attired Sudowoodo and Charjabug could also pop up when you're out and about. Best part? There’s always that delightful chance they could be shiny. Imagine snagging a shiny, festive Charjabug – that’s a trophy for the ages, mate!
For those of us who like to evolve our fashion statements, there's a neat little trick to getting your hands on a holiday-themed Vikavolt. You'll need to catch yourself a holiday-attired Charjabug first (obviously), then cough up 100 Grubbin Candy and – here's the kicker – evolve it when you're near a Magnetic Lure Module. Bit of a specific ritual, almost like mixing potions for a very particular spell, but hey, if it gets me a festive flying beetle, I'm game. Who doesn't love a bit of environmental evolution wizardry?
But wait, there's more! If you're a fan of those tension-filled 7 km egg hatches, you're in for a treat. During Part 1, you might just hatch a Pichu sporting a festive hat or a Cubchoo rocking a holiday ribbon. Alongside those adorable little rascals, you'll also find some classic Ice-types like Smoochum, Cryogonal, and Snom. And speaking of challenges, three-star raids will feature the holiday-attired Sudowoodo and Charjabug, plus the ever-so-majestic Hisuian Avalugg. More chances to bag those new festive friends, which is always a bonus, especially if your luck in the wild is anything like mine (which usually involves a lot of Pidgeys).
Now, for those who love to express themselves through their in-game avatars – and let's be honest, who doesn't enjoy a good digital outfit? – Winter Holiday Part 1 is bringing some fresh threads to the in-game store. You can grab yourself a snazzy Charjabug Bag and a dashing Sudowoodo Holiday Sweater. Good news is, these aren't event-exclusive disappear-forever items; they'll stick around even after the festive shenanigans wrap up. So, no mad rush to buy them while simultaneously trying to catch a shiny Snorunt, which is always a relief for my multitasking brain.
And finally, the piece de resistance (or perhaps, the slightly dreaded but inevitable feature): the new GO Pass. Running from December 18th to December 29th, this year's Winter Holiday 2025 GO Pass comes in the usual free and paid flavours. The free track, as expected, offers encounters with Snom and other event-themed Pokémon, along with some Stardust, XP, Poké Balls, and Candy. All solid stuff, can't knock freebies, can you?
But then we have the paid track, clocking in at $7.99. For that, you get the exclusive Snom Beanie for your avatar (because who doesn't want their digital self to sport a tiny, adorable Snom on their head?), *additional* encounters with event-themed Pokémon, Premium Battle Passes, Rare Candy XL, and... wait for it... "even more goodies!" Now, this is where my gentle skepticism kicks in. "Even more goodies" is the gaming equivalent of a wizard promising "more magic!" without specifying if it's a helpful healing spell or just making your socks disappear. It's always a bit of a gamble, isn't it? But for the hardcore trainers and completionists, those Rare Candy XLs and extra encounters are likely quite appealing, especially with that higher level cap now in play.
Overall, it looks like Niantic is delivering exactly what we've come to expect from a Pokémon GO holiday event: new things to catch, new things to wear, and new ways to spend our time (and maybe a few quid). While I'll always approach a paid pass with a bit of a raised eyebrow and a "what happens if..." curiosity, the core event itself seems like a genuinely fun way to ring in the tail end of 2025. Part 1 wraps up on Christmas Eve, but you know what that means, don't you? Part 2 is just around the corner, ready to unleash even more surprises. I reckon we're in for a wild ride into 2026, so best charge your phones and keep an eye on those Lure Modules, mates!
Tags: Pokemon GO, Mobile Gaming, Seasonal Event, Gaming News, Niantic
Original article: Game Rant