
Pokémon GO Events and Updates for December 16-22, 2024 | Image Source: pokemongohub.net
San Francisco, Dec. 16, 2024 — Trainers across the globe are gearing up for an exciting week in Pokémon GO, packed with events, shiny debuts, and battles as part of the third week of the Season of Dual Destiny. According to Pokémon GO Hub, the week of December 16 to December 22 introduces several notable updates, including Holiday Part One, December Community Day, and Mega Raids featuring Mega Latias. For fans and collectors, this week marks the debut of Shiny Sandygast, Shiny Shadow Regice opportunities, and preparations for Part Two of the Holiday Event.
Max Monday and Spotlight Hour Kick Off the Week
The week begins with Max Monday on December 16, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time, featuring Dynamax Charmander in one-star Max Battles. This limited-time event allows trainers to battle and catch the fan-favorite Fire-type Pokémon in its Dynamax form. As per Pokémon GO Hub, players looking to maximize their rewards should focus on these battles during the hour.
On Tuesday, December 17, Spotlight Hour shines a light on Slugma and Bergmite. Running from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time, trainers will enjoy 2x Candy for catching Pokémon, making it an excellent time to stock up on valuable resources. Spotlight Hours are known for their simplicity and reward structure, offering both casual and competitive trainers an opportunity to enhance their Pokémon collection and candy reserves.
Mega Raids and Shadow Raids
This week’s raid schedule brings exciting opportunities for legendary and shadow Pokémon collectors. On Wednesday, December 18, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Mega Latios will appear in five-star raids during Raid Hour. According to Pokémon GO Hub, Mega Latios will remain available in Mega Raids until December 19, after which Mega Latias will take its place, running from December 19 to December 26. Both Pokémon are powerful assets for trainers looking to boost their battle lineups.
Shadow Regice, one of the most anticipated encounters, will be available in five-star Shadow Raids during weekends. Trainers who are lucky enough may encounter a Shiny Shadow Regice, a rare and difficult-to-obtain variant. Shadow Raids offer an added layer of difficulty, requiring strong teams and strategy to secure these unique Pokémon.
Holiday Event Part One and Community Day
The Holiday 2024: Part One Event kicks off on Tuesday, December 17, at 10:00 a.m. local time and runs until Sunday, December 22, at 9:59 a.m. local time. Highlights of this event include the debut of Shiny Sandygast and Costume Dedenne, which are expected to excite collectors and holiday-themed event enthusiasts. Pokémon GO Hub noted that this event sets the stage for Holiday Part Two, which begins immediately after on December 22.
Meanwhile, December 2024 Community Day will be held on Saturday, December 21, and Sunday, December 22, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. This two-day event brings back all the featured Community Day Pokémon from earlier in the year, along with special bonuses and exclusive backgrounds. For trainers who may have missed previous Community Days, this event is a chance to catch up on exclusive moves and evolutions.
Holiday Part Two and Dual Destiny Research
Following the conclusion of Part One, the Holiday 2024: Part Two Event begins on December 22 and runs until December 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. According to Pokémon GO Hub, this event will introduce Shiny Cetoddle and a holiday-themed Wooloo. These festive Pokémon mark their debut in the game, adding to the holiday excitement.
The Dual Destiny Season also features a long-running Special Research questline, which can be claimed from December 3, 2024, to March 4, 2025. Trainers are encouraged to regularly check their Research tabs as new parts of the quest unlock throughout the season. The season-specific Eggs-pedition Access pass, available for purchase, provides trainers with added benefits such as an incubator for the first daily PokéStop or Gym spin.
GO Battle League: Dual Destiny
For competitive players, GO Battle League Season 21, themed “Dual Destiny,” continues throughout the week. Pokémon GO Hub reported that the Ultra League and Fantasy Cup: Great League Edition will conclude on December 17, with the Master League and Holiday Cup: Little Edition taking over from December 17 to December 24. During this period, trainers can earn 4x Stardust from win rewards, making it an ideal time for players to climb the ranks and collect valuable Stardust.
Rank resets and end-of-season rewards have already taken place earlier in December. As per Pokémon GO Hub, trainers can expect familiar rank-up requirements for this season, ensuring a consistent experience for those who have participated in previous leagues.
Season of Dual Destiny: Bonuses and Encounters
The Season of Dual Destiny brings several overarching bonuses that trainers can take advantage of until March 2025. These include one additional free Raid Pass per day by spinning Gym Photo Discs, extra Stardust earned from Team GO Rocket battles, and additional Stardust from Gifts. These bonuses provide added incentives for daily gameplay and community engagement.
Wild encounters have also been updated to reflect the seasonal theme. Pokémon such as Magneton, Porygon, Butterfree, and Scyther will appear more frequently in specific biomes like cities and forests. Hemisphere-exclusive encounters will further diversify the gameplay experience, with different Pokémon appearing in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Eggs and Adventure Sync Rewards have also been refreshed, with notable Pokémon hatching from 2 km, 5 km, 7 km, and 10 km eggs.
In conclusion, the week of December 16 to December 22 in Pokémon GO is filled with opportunities for trainers to engage in battles, complete special events, and capture rare Pokémon. From Holiday Part One to December Community Day and the ongoing Mega and Shadow Raids, there is no shortage of activities to enjoy. As Pokémon GO Hub highlights, trainers should plan strategically to make the most of this action-packed week and the ongoing Season of Dual Destiny.