How to get the most out of the Holidays 2021 event in Pokémon Go

The Pokémon Go Holidays 2021 event is here and we here at iMore have all the details — every new and costumed Pokémon, all the returning Pokémon, Raids, the new Postcard Book feature, and more! And be sure 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 with costumed Pokémon, lots of Ice types, and other festive fun. This year will introduce new Pokémon, Bergmite and its evolution, Avalugg, as well as a brand new feature: the Postcard Book. There will be many Pokémon taking over the map and raids, as well as lots of Field Research, Timed Research, and even a mini event with its own Collection Challenge.

When is the Holidays 2021 event in Pokémon Go?

The Holidays 2021 event will be divided into two parts. The first part begins on December 16 and part two begins on December 23. The event will conclude on December 31, just in time for New Years.

Pokémon with the potential to be Shiny are indicated with an asterisk.

Costumed Pokémon

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

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

Wild

Costumed Pokémon and Ice types will be taking over the wild spawns during the Holidays 2021 event. You may encounter the following Pokémon during the event:

Costumed Pikachu*
Alolan Sandshrew*
Swinub*
Costumed Delibird*
Costumed Stantler*
Snorunt*
Costumed Spheal*
Snover*
Vanillite
Costumed Cubchoo*
Cryogonal
Alolan Vulpix* (part two only)
Bergmite (part two only)

Raids

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

Costumed Pikachu* (one star)
Alolan Sandshrew* (one star)
Swinub* (one star)
Costumed Spheal* (one star)
Costumed Cubchoo* (one star)
Cloyster (three star)
Costumed Delibird* (three star)
Costumed Stantler* (three star)
Costumed Glaceon* (three star)
Kyurem* (five star)
Mega Steelix*

Then, during part two of the event, players will be able to battle against the following Pokémon:

Costumed Pikachu* (one star)
Alolan Vulpix* (one star)
Costumed Spheal* (one star)
Costumed Cubchoo* (one star)
Galarian Darumaka* (one star)
Lapras* (three star)
Costumed Delibird* (three star)
Costumed Stantler* (three star)
Costumed Glaceon* (three star)
Kyurem* (five star)
Mega Abomasnow*

Eggs

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

Swinub*
Smoochum*
Galarian Darumaka*
Costumed Cubchoo*
Bergmite
Cryogonal

Field Research

During the Holidays 2021 event, players will be able to spin PokéStops for event exclusive Field Research tasks. During part one of the event, players will be able to complete the following tasks:

Catch five Ice type Pokémon for a costumed Spheal encounter
Catch seven different species of Pokémon for an Alolan Vulpix encounter
Spin three PokéStops for a Swinub encounter
Win a three star raid or higher for a Cryogonal encounter
Open five gifts for a costumed Pikachu encounter
Open five gifts for a costumed Stantler encounter
Send three gifts to friends for three PokéBalls
Send three gifts to friends for three Razz Berries
Send three gifts to friends for three Pinap Berries
Take three snapshots of wild Ice type Pokémon for Mega Abomasnow Energy

During part two of the Holidays 2021 event, players will be able to access the following event exclusive Field Research tasks:

Catch five Ice type Pokémon for a costumed Spheal* encounter
Catch seven different species of Pokémon for an Alolan Sandshrew* encounter
Hatch an Egg for a Galarian Darumaka* encounter
Hatch five Eggs for a Glacial Lure Module
Open five gifts for a costumed Pikachu* encounter
Open five gifts for a costumed Stantler* encounter
Open five gifts for a costumed Cubchoo* encounter
Send three gifts to friends for three PokéBalls
Send three gifts to friends for three Razz Berries
Send three gifts to friends for three Pinap Berries
Spin three PokéStops for a Swinub encounter
Take three snapshots of wild Ice type Pokémon for Mega Abomasnow Energy

PokéShop

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

Avatar Style Festive hat
Avatar Style Festive jacket
Avatar Style Festive shorts
Holiday stickers for friend gifts
Special Box: 50 PokéBalls, two Premium Battle Passes, two Super Incubators, and three Star Pieces 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, tow Incubators, two Incense, and four Star Pieces

Timed Research

During the second half of the event, there are not one, but two Timed Research lines. Both Timed Research lines are single page Research that reward players with an encounter with Galarian Mr. Mime.

Pokémon Go Holidays: Friendship Challenge

Send five gifts to friends for a costumed Pikachu* encounter
Trade three Pokémon with a friend for a Vanillite encounter
Send 25 gifts to friends for a costumed Delibird* encounter
Send gifts for three days in a row for a Pokémon encounter
Make a new friend for three Silver Pinap Berries

Completion Rewards: Galarian Mr. Mime encounter

Pokémon Go Holidays: Catch Challenge

Catch ten Pokémon for ten PokéBalls
Catch 25 Pokémon for 25 PokéBalls
Catch ten Ice type Pokémon for ten Great Balls
Catch 40 Ice type Pokémon for 25 Great Balls
Catch nine different species of Ice type Pokémon for 25 Ultra Balls

Completion Rewards: Galarian Mr. Mime encounter

Postcard Book

During the Holidays 2021 event, a brand new feature is being introduced: the Postcard Book. Using the Postcard Book, players will be able to save postcards from the gifts their friends have sent or gifts they pick up from PokéStops. To use this new feature, simply tap the pin button on your gifts. Now you can save the memories of your Pokémon Journey.

Bonuses

In addition to all the Pokémon, raids, and more, the event will also feature a special Holiday cup in the Pokémon Go Battle League, and during part two of the Holidays 2021 event, players will get one free Incubator from their first PokéStop spin of the day. The Holiday Cup is restricted to Normal, Grass, Electric, Ice, Flying, and Ghost type Pokémon at CP 1,500 or lower.

Other bonuses during the event include:

Open up to 45 gifts per day
Hold up to 40 gifts at a time
Mega Abomasnow CP boost
More Ice and Water type Pokémon captured by Team GO Rocket

A Winter Wonderland mini event

As if all the Holiday fun wasn’t enough, there will also be a mini event during the Holidays 2021 event in Pokémon Go. On Saturday and Sunday, December 25 and 26, players will be able to participate in A Winter Wonderland, a mini event with a Collection Challenge, event exclusive Field Research, and more.

Collection Challenge

During part two, players who can trade for every Pokémon in the Collection Challenge will earn themselves an encounter with a Galarian Mr. Mime. The following Pokémon are in the Collection Challenge:

Swinub*
Snorunt*
Spheal*
Snover*
Vanillite
Cubchoo*

Note: neither Spheal, nor Cubchoo need to be costumed for this Collection Challenge.

Field Research

During A Winter Wonderland players can spin PokéStops for the following event exclusive Field Research task:

Send five gifts for a costumed Delibird encounter

Questions about the Holidays 2021 event in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any 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 be a Pokémon Master!