It was getting pretty down to the wire as to whether or not Niantic was going to reveal a Christmas/Holiday/New Year’s event for Pokémon GO. But today they’ve finally unveiled their plans. It’s not quite the event many predicted, but it does seem like it’s something to get players playing again regardless. Despite the lack of double candy or XP.
The event is actually sort of a pair events, which overlap over the course of the next two weeks. I’m not quite sure why things are structured this way, but here are the main points Niantic has revealed today.
Starting on December 25, you’ll have a better shot at hatching a Togepi or Pichu. As well as “several other recently found Pokémon” from the Johto region. You’ll also receive a single-use Incubator every day with your first PokéStop visit.
The new Pokémon mentioned above were added earlier this month. Alongside the special, Christmas-hat-wearing of version of Pikachu (who can evolve into a similarly festive Raichu). That Pikachu was only supposed to be available until December 29, but it’ll now be available for a bit longer. Presumably until the end of this new event on January 3. You’ll also be more likely to find the special Pikachu during this upcoming event.
From December 30 through January 8, you’ll have a better-than-usual shot at earning Kanto‘s starter Pokémon and their evolutions. Including Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise. To make it easier to come across one, lure modules will last a full hour, twice as long as the usual 30 minutes.