Pokémon Go: Holidays 2021 event guide

The Pokémon Go Holidays 2021 event is almost here and we here at iMore have all the details – every new and costumed Pokémon, every returning Pokémon, raids, the new Book of Postcard feature, and more! And don’t forget to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon Journey.

What is the Holidays 2021 event in Pokémon Go?

The Pokémon Go Holidays event is a recurring event that takes place every December. Each year, players are treated to costumed Pokémon, many types of ice cream, and other festive entertainment. This year will introduce a new Pokémon, Bergmite and its evolution, Avalugg, as well as a brand new feature: the Postcard Book. Plenty of Pokémon will take control of the map and raiding, along with plenty of field research, timed research, and even a mini-event with its own collectible challenge.

When does the Holidays 2021 event take place in Pokémon Go?

The Holidays 2021 event will be divided into two parts. The first part starts on December 16 and the second part starts on December 23. The event will end on December 31, just in time for the New Year.

Potentially shiny Pokémon are marked with an asterisk.

Costumed pokemon

Source: Niantic

As usual, this holiday event will feature several costumed Pokémon. The following familiar faces from previous years and new costumed Pokémon will be available:

• Pikachu * with a Santa hat
• Delibird * with festive ribbon
• Stantler * with bells
• Spheal * with a scarf
• Cubchoo * with a festive ribbon
• Glaceon * with a party cape

Savage

Costumed and Ice-type Pokémon will take control of the Wild Spawns during the Holidays 2021 event. You may encounter the following Pokémon during the event:

• Costumed Pikachu *
• Alolan Sandshrew *
• swimmer*
• Costumed Delibird *
• Costumed Stantler *
• Snoring *
• Costumed Spheal *
• Snow*
• Vanillite
• Costumed Cubchoo *
• Cryogonal
• Alolan Goupix * (second part only)
• Bergmite (second part only)

Raids

During the first part of the Holidays 2021 event, players will be able to work together to challenge the following raids:

• Costumed Pikachu * (one star)
• Alolan Sandshrew * (one star)
• Swinub * (one star)
• Costumed Spheal * (one star)
• Costumed Cubchoo * (one star)
• Cloyster (three stars)
• Delibird costumed * (three stars)
• Costumed Stantler * (three stars)
• Costumed ice cream * (three stars)
• Kyurem * (five stars)
• Mega Steelix *

Then, in the second part of the event, players will be able to face off against the following Pokémon:

• Costumed Pikachu * (one star)
• Alolan Goupix * (one star)
• Costumed Spheal * (one star)
• Costumed Cubchoo * (one star)
• Galarian Darumaka * (one star)
• Lapras * (three stars)
• Delibird costumed * (three stars)
• Costumed Stantler * (three stars)
• Costumed ice cream * (three stars)
• Kyurem * (five stars)
• Mega Abomasnow *

Eggs

During Part 2 of the Holidays 2021 event in Pokémon Go, players will be able to hatch the following Pokémon from friend eggs 7KM away:

• swimmer*
• Costumed Cubchoo *
• Smoochum *
• Galarian Darumaka *
• Bergmite
• Cryogonal

Field research

During the Holidays 2021 event, players will be able to spin PokéStops for field research tasks exclusive to the event. We don’t know yet what these tasks will be, but we do know some of the Pokémon that you may encounter to complete these tasks. During the first part of the event, players will be able to encounter the following Pokémon:

• Costumed Pikachu *
• Alolan Goupix *
• swimmer*
• Costumed Stantler *
• Costumed Spheal *
• Costumed Cubchoo *
• Cryogonal

Then, in the second part of the Holidays 2021 event, players will be rewarded with encounters with the following Pokémon:

• Costumed Pikachu *
• Alolan Sandshrew *
• swimmer*
• Costumed Stantler *
• Costumed Spheal *
• Costumed Cubchoo *
• Galarian Darumaka *

PokéShop

During the Holiday 2021 event, players will also be able to purchase the following items from the PokéShop:

• Party hat avatar style
• Avatar style party jacket
• Festive avatar style shorts
• Holiday stickers for friends gifts
• Special box: 50 PokéBalls, two Premium Battle Passes, two Super Incubators and three Star Coins for 480 PokéCoins
• Ultra Box: 25 Ultra Balls, 18 Premium Battle Passes, five Super Incubators and five Incense for 1,480 PokéCoins
• Adventure box: 18 super incubators, two incubators, two incense and four star coins

Timed search

During the second half of the event, there will not be one, but two lines of timed research. Both Timed Research Lines will reward players with an encounter with Galarian Mr. Mime.

The first step

Postcard book

On the occasion of the Holiday 2021 event, a brand new feature is emerging: the Postcard Book. Using the Postcard Book, players will be able to save postcards from gifts their friends have sent or gifts they’ve collected from PokéStops. To use this new feature, just hit the pin button on your freebies. You can now save the memories of your Pokémon journey.

Bonus

In addition to all Pokémon, raids, and more, during Part 2 of the Holidays 2021 event, players will receive a free Incubator starting with their first PokéStop round of the day.

A Winter Wonderland mini-event

As if all the holiday fun weren’t enough, there will also be a mini-event during the Holiday 2021 event in Pokémon Go. On Saturday and Sunday, December 25 and 26, players will be able to take part in A Winter Wonderland, a mini -event with a collection challenge, an exclusive field research event, and more.

Collection challenge

In Part 2, players who can catch all of the Collectible Challenge Pokémon will themselves earn an encounter with a Mr. Galarian Mime. The following Pokémon are part of the Collection Challenge:

• swimmer*
• Snoring *
• Spheal *
• Snow*
• Vanillite
• Cubchoo *

Note: Neither Spheal nor Cubchoo need to be costumed for this Collectible Challenge.

Field research

A Winter Wonderland will feature additional event-exclusive Field Research tasks. We don’t know yet what these tasks will be, but they will reward players with encounters with the costumed Delibird.

Questions about the Holidays 2021 event in Pokémon Go?

Do you have questions about the Holidays 2021 event in Pokémon Go? Which costumed Pokémon is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!