Pokémon GO Christmas Event Announced

Pokémon GO‘s Christmas event was just announced and starts today (December 21) at 1:00pm PST. As one could expect from Pokémon GO holiday-based events at this point, this event includes sales on items, new Pokémon and a holiday-exclusive Pikachu.

According to the official announcement, this Pokémon GO event will see the return of the Santa Hat Pikachu that appeared during last year’s Christmas event, as well as higher spawn rates for Ice-Type Pokémon. There will also be twenty more Ice-Type and Water-Type Hoenn Pokémon entering the game, which, according to Serebii, include Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Carvanha, Sharpedo, Wailmer, Wailord, Barboach, Whiscash, Corphish, Crawdaunt, Feebas, Milotic, Snorunt, Glalie, Spheal, Sealeao, Walrein, Relicanth and Luvdisc. Though nothing is stated about it in the official statement, the marketing art for this event also seems to imply that Kyogre may become available to fight in Raid Battles soon.

Starting on December 22 at 1:00pm PST and running through December 25 at 1:00pm PST, players will get a single-use Egg Incubator during their first PokéStop spin of the day. Also, starting today at 1:00pm PST and going through December 25 at 1:00pm PST, special boxes will be on sale that feature items such as Super Incubators, Lure Modules and a new item called Star Pieces. Then, from December 25 at 1:00pm PST through January 4 at 1:00pm PST, there will be a sale on boxes that include Super Incubators, Premium Raid Passes and Star Pieces. These new Star Pieces basically work like Lucky Eggs, but for Stardust, increasing the amount of Stardust the player earns for 30 minutes.

There has been no statement on the rumor from yesterday of Delibird entering the game for this event, though it is possible that it may start spawning as one of the Ice-Types with increased spawn rates for the event.