As 2025 wraps up, it’s time to ring in the New Year with a bang in Pokémon GO! The Pokémon GO New Year’s 2026 event is just around the corner, ready to offer a festive array of new Pokémon spawns, exciting rewards, and engaging gameplay experiences. It’s an excellent opportunity to jump-start your year in the game!
Like last year, a selection of party-themed, costumed Pokémon will make their grand entrance. These unique Pokémon will only be available for a short time, so you won’t want to let this chance slip by. Let’s dive into everything you need to know!
When Does the Pokémon GO New Year’s 2026 Event Start?
The New Year’s 2026 event kicks off on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and runs for five days! Check out the schedule below:
- Start Date and Time: Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 10 AM local time
- End Date and Time: Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 8 PM local time
Make sure to participate before the event ends; once it does, those limited-time rewards will be gone for good.
What Bonuses Can You Expect?
Get ready for some fantastic bonuses during the New Year’s 2026 event! Here’s what’s in store:
- Double XP and Stardust from Raid Battles
- Higher chances of encountering Shiny Party Top Hat Pikachu!
- Trainers holding the New Year’s 2026 Premium Timed Research ticket will snag an extra Raid Pass daily by spinning Photo Discs at Gyms (for a total of two).
You can also enjoy several new features:
- Watch stunning fireworks light up the sky!
- Lucky Pokémon trades have increased from 35 to 45 guaranteed. Plus, if you trade a Pokémon from a Trainer’s storage since 2020, it guarantees a Lucky Pokémon until reaching the new limit.
- Blacephalon caught in five-star raids will come equipped with the Charged Attack, Mind Blown.
Which Pokémon Will Spawn During the Event?
Note:
Pokémon marked with a * can be shiny.
During the event, keep an eye out for these Pokémon in the wild:
| Pokémon | Type |
|---|---|
 Party Hat Bulbasaur* |
Electric |
 Ribbon Jigglypuff* |
Grass |
 New Year’s Hat Hoothoot* |
Normal / Fairy |
 Party Top Hat Pikachu* |
Normal / Flying |
Who Are the Raid Bosses for This Event?
New raid bosses are coming to spice up your battles! Here’s what you can expect:
| Pokémon | Type | Raid Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Party Top Hat Pikachu* |
Electric | Tier One |
 Party Hat Wurmple* |
Bug | Tier One |
 Party Hat Raticate |
Normal | Tier Three |
 Party Hat Nidorino |
Poison | Tier Three |
 Party Hat Gengar* |
Poison / Ghost | Tier Three |
 Party Hat Wobbuffet* |
Psychic | Tier Three |
 Blacephalon* |
Ghost / Fire | Tier Five |
What About Themed Avatar Items?
Pack your backpack with fun new gear! Players can grab special avatar items from the in-game shop using PokeCoins during the New Year’s 2026 event. These items will remain available even after the event concludes:
- Blacephalon Boots: 200 PokeCoin
What Are the Field Research and Daily Rewards?
Keep your eyes peeled for new field research tasks during this event. Completing them will let you encounter rare costumed Pokémon and earn Stardust. While specific tasks haven’t been released yet, you can check back for updates as the event starts. It’s a great idea to bookmark this page!
Also, you can collect one bonus daily Field Research task each day after logging in. This will reward you with either a Lucky Egg or Incense. Remember, to get bonus tasks, make sure you have three or fewer active Field Research tasks upon logging in each day.
Is There Any Paid Timed Research?
A new timed research ticket is up for grabs in the shop for just US$1.99 (approximately €1.89). You can not only buy this for yourself but also gift it to friends, provided you’re at least Great Friends with them.
Purchasing this ticket means you’ll earn an extra Raid Pass per day from spinning Photo Discs at Gyms. Completing the research could also reward you with:
- Two Premium Battle Passes
- 3,000 Stardust
- Encounters with Party Top Hat Pikachu
You also have the option to purchase the New Year’s 2026 Ultra Ticket Box for US$1.99 (roughly €1.89), which includes both an event ticket and a Lucky Egg.
Don’t let this event pass; it’s your chance to collect exclusive costumed Pokémon that celebrate the New Year like no other!
How many days is the New Year’s 2026 event in Pokémon GO?
The New Year’s 2026 event lasts for five days in Pokémon GO.
Which Pokémon is featured during the New Year’s 2026 event?
The highlight of the New Year’s 2026 event is the Party Hat costumed Pikachu.
Are you as excited as I am about this event? Let me know what Pokémon you’re hoping to catch this New Year in the comments below!