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It’s hard to believe there’s only one month left until 2022, but Pokémon GO is ending 2021 with a bang. Following the release of Nintendo’s newest video games, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl, fans of the franchise still have a bit more to look forward to this year — assuming they also play the Niantic game. Pokémon GO has several events planned before trainers ring in the new year. Read on to learn what to expect in December 2021.

To start, Pokémon GO‘s final Community Day will bring in Pokémon from all the year’s previous Community Day events, giving players a chance to catch any they missed. This is something Niantic does annually, and the two-day celebration is likely to get players out and about this December.

December Community Day is set to take place on Dec. 18 and Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Bonuses will operate like every other Community Day, with the following going into effect:

  • Three-hour Incense
  • Three-hour Lure modules
  • Half Hatch distance for Eggs
  • Double Catch Stardust
  • Double Catch XP

From 1 p.m. on Dec. 17 to 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 19, trainers can also make one additional special trade daily and make trades at a 25% reduced Stardust cost.

As for which Pokémon trainers can expect, Community Day will round up all those available during prior Community Day events. According to Pokémon GO‘s official blog, half of them will appear more frequently on Dec. 18, while the other half will show up more often on Dec. 19. Check out the full list of Pokémon below:

Saturday, Dec. 18

  • Machop
  • Roselia
  • Swablu
  • Gible
  • Snivy
  • Fletchling

Sunday, Dec. 19

  • Eevee
  • Duskull
  • Shinx
  • Tepig
  • Oshawott

Community Day Pokémon from previous years will also be available in Eggs and Raids, and several of their evolved forms will appear in Field Research Tasks. A Special Research Story and a Timed Research will also kick off when the event begins.

‘Pokémon GO’ Spotlight Hour events for December

A phone with the 'Pokémon GO' app open on-screen. It's sitting on a keyboard and the lighting is purple and blue. 'Pokémon GO' is celebrating Día de Muertos from Nov. 1-2
‘Pokémon GO’ | Thiago Prudêncio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

In addition to unveiling plans for its December 2021 Community Day, Pokémon GO announced its Spotlight Hours for the month. Although November 2021 boasted five different Spotlight Hour events, December will only have four. The following Pokémon and bonuses will be available on the dates listed:

  • Dec. 7: Electabuzz/Double Transfer Candy
  • Dec. 14: Magmar/Double XP when evolving Pokémon
  • Dec. 21: Snover/Double XP when catching Pokémon
  • Dec. 28: Cubchoo/Double Catch Candy

All four Spotlight Hour events feature Pokémon that can be shiny in Pokémon GO, so trainers will probably want to check those out if they get the opportunity. The final Tuesdays of the year promise to be exciting in that regard.

Which Pokémon are in Raids in December?

Speaking of looking for shiny Pokémon, December’s five-star Raids are another chance to catch some. Reshiram and Zekrom will appear in five-star Raids from Dec. 1 to Dec. 16, with Kyurem taking over for the remainder of the month. All three can be shiny, and players will have more chances to catch them during Pokémon GO‘s Raid Hour events:

  • Dec. 8 and 15 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Reshiram and Zekrom
  • Dec. 22 and 29 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Kyurem

The game is also switching up its Mega Raids, with Mega Steelix appearing from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23 and Mega Abomasnow available from Dec. 23 to Jan. 7.

Several special events are heading to ‘Pokémon GO’ this month

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In addition to the Community Day, Spotlight Hour, and Raid Hour events coming to Pokémon GO in December, Niantic is throwing in a few extra celebrations for trainers to enjoy. There are four special events occurring throughout the month, including:

Season of Heritage: The game is kicking off its celebrations with its Season of Heritage on Dec. 1. Following on the heels of its Season of Mischief, Pokémon GO is bringing players new Research Tasks and bonuses, and it’s updating what trainers can expect to see in the wild each month. The Season of Heritage begins on Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. and it will continue until March 1, 2022. Learn more about the new season from Pokémon GO‘s official blog, which has details about what December has in store — though nothing for January and February as of this writing.

Swinub Incense Day: On Dec. 5, players can use Incense to attract Swinub more frequently from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Ice- and Ground-type Pokémon is an ideal match as winter kicks into high gear. It can also be shiny, so those who haven’t found a shiny Swinub will want to stock up on Incense for the day. Other Ice- and Ground-types will also be drawn to Incense during the day-long event.

Dragonspiral Descent: Taking place from Dec. 7 to Dec. 12, the Dragonspiral Descent is “inspired by the Unova region’s Dragonspiral Tower.” Niantic hasn’t released more details as of yet, but players can keep an eye on the blog — and the game’s news section — for further information.

Pokémon GO Holidays: Pokémon GO always recognizes the winter holidays with themed events, and this year, it’s bringing trainers a two-part celebration. It will run from Dec. 16 to Dec. 31, and players can expect more of the usual: Pokémon in wintry costumes, Ice-type Pokémon, and Research Tasks for the big occasion.

Needless to say, Pokémon GO players have plenty to look forward to in December 2021 — and probably beyond that as well.

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Amanda Mullen

Writer - Streaming

I’m an entertainment writer who can usually be found by the coffee pot, with my nose in a book, or still crying over ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ I’m Team Oxford Comma, and the quickest way to my heart is through Baby Yoda.

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