Pokemon Go‘s newest season, Dual Destiny, has officially begun, and the game is ushering it in with a variety of events and new content this month. In addition to new raid bosses and Spotlight Hours, Pokemon Go will introduce a handful of new Pokemon to catch over the next few weeks, including Polteageist and Gigantamax Lapras.
On top of that, the game has a number of different events lined up for December, including a two-day Community Day and the annual holiday celebration, which will take place over the course of two weeks this year. Read on for a look at all of the biggest events happening in Pokemon Go this month.
December Raid Schedule
Pokemon Go is changing up its selection of raid bosses for December.
This month, players will have another chance to encounter Chill Drive Genesect and Altered Forme Giratina in five-star raids, while Mega Banette, Mega Latios and Latias, and Mega Abomasnow will appear in Mega Raids over the next few weeks.
More Dynamax Pokemon are also on the way. Dynamax forms of Machop, Krabby, and other monsters will appear in Power Spots as Max Battle bosses, and Shadow Regice will star in special Shadow Raids every weekend this month. You can see December’s full raid schedule below:
Max Battles
December 3-9
- Machop
- Beldum
- Wooloo
- Falinks
December 9-23
- Bulbasaur
- Charmander
- Squirtle
- Krabby
- Skwovet
December 23-January 6
- Krabby
- Cryogonal
- Grookey
- Scorbunny
- Sobble
Five-star Raids
December 3-12
December 26-January 4
Mega Raids
December 3-12
December 12-19
December 19-26
December 26-January 4
Shadow Raids
Weekends in December
December Spotlight Hours
Pokemon Go’s weekly Spotlight Hour events return in December with a new selection of featured Pokemon and bonuses.
Every Tuesday evening from 6-7 PM local time, one particular Pokemon will be appearing more frequently in the wild, making this a good chance to fill out your Pokedex and stock up on candy. In addition, you’ll earn an extra bonus during that hour, such as double Stardust for catching or evolving Pokemon.
You can see December’s full Spotlight Hour schedule below:
December 3
- Featured Pokemon: Sableye
- Bonus: 2x catch Stardust
December 10
- Featured Pokemon: Murkrow
- Bonus: 2x catch XP
December 17
- Featured Pokemon: Slugma and Bergmite
- Bonus: 2x catch Candy
December 24
- Featured Pokemon: Delibird wearing a holiday ribbon
- Bonus: 2x transfer Candy
December 31
- Featured Pokemon: Togetic
- Bonus: 2x evolution XP
Just My Cup Of Tea
Pokemon Go is kicking its new season off with an event called Just My Cup of Tea, which runs from December 3-7.
The star of the event is the debuting tea Pokemon Sinistea, which will be available in raids and through completing Collection Challenges. You can evolve Sinistea into Polteageist after amassing 50 Sinistea Candy.
On top of that, a few other Pokemon such as Slowpoke, Duskull, and Greavard will be appearing more frequently in the wild during the event, while Galarian Mr. Mime, Hisuian Braviary, and Bombirdier will be available in raids.
Wild Encounters
- Slowpoke
- Taillow
- Slakoth
- Duskull
- Starly
- Greavard
Incense Encounters
- Oddish
- Miltank
- Combee
- Gothita
- Litwick
- Spritzee
Raids
One-star
- Male Frillish
- Female Frillish
- Sinistea
Three-star
- Galarian Mr. Mime
- Hisuian Braviary
- Bombirdier
Aspiring Dragons Research Day
Pokemon Go is hosting an Aspiring Dragons Research Day on December 7.
From 2-5 PM local time, you can encounter Pokemon that evolve into dragon types–such as Horsea, Trapinch, Swablu, and Skrelp–by completing Field Research tasks. Other Pokemon like Carvanha, Dwebble, and Ducklett will also be appearing more frequently in the wild during the event, and the in-game shop will offer a paid Timed Research ticket that leads to additional encounters with the featured Pokemon.
Gigantamax Lapras Max Battle Day
Following the Aspiring Dragons Research Day, Pokemon Go will host a Max Battle Day featuring Gigantamax Lapras on December 8.
From 2-5 PM local time, Gigantamax Lapras will appear in Max Battles as an extra challenging six-star raid boss. If you need help taking down the giant Pokemon, the game is also introducing a new type of item called Max Mushrooms, which will temporarily increase your Pokemon’s damage output during a Max Battle.
On top of the Lapras raids, Pokemon Go will offer extra bonuses during the event. The game is temporarily increasing your Max Particle collection limit to 1,600, and you’ll earn double the usual amount of Max Particles from exploring.
Young & Wise
Pokemon Go’s Dual Destiny season continues with an event called Young and Wise, which is scheduled to run from December 10-14. More details will be announced closer to the event.
Necrozma Fusion Raid Day
The legendary Pokemon Necrozma is returning for a special Necrozma Fusion Raid Day on December 14.
From 2-5 PM local time, Necrozma’s fused forms–Dusk Mane Necrozma and Dawn Wings Necrozma–will appear more frequently in raids. Not only that, but you’ll have an increased chance of encountering a shiny Necrozma if you’re able to defeat the legendary Pokemon in battle.
Pokemon Go will also offer a special paid ticket through the in-game item shop. Everyone who purchases this ticket will receive some extra perks during the event, such as increased XP and Stardust from raids and additional Raid Passes.
Holiday Part 1
Pokemon Go’s annual Holiday event returns later this month. The first part is scheduled to run from December 17-22. More will be announced closer to the event.
Pokemon Go’s final Community Day event of the year will take place across two days, from December 21-22.
Holiday Part 2
The second part of Pokemon Go’s holiday event will run from December 22-27. Additional details will be announced later this month.