Winter in Pokemon Go used to be a lot simpler. You’d get a few Pikachu in Santa hats, maybe a Delibird if you were lucky, and you’d call it a day while trying not to freeze your fingers off. Times have changed. Now, we’re looking at a massive, multi-phased rollout that kicks off with the Pokemon Go Holiday Part 1 path, and honestly, it’s a lot to juggle if you aren't paying close attention to your Today View.
Niantic has basically turned December into a marathon.
If you’re wondering whether you should buy the paid tickets or just stick to the free branching research, you aren't alone. The community is always split on this. Some players live for the shiny hunt, while others just want to fill their Pokédex without spending five bucks every week. Let’s get into the weeds of what’s actually happening during this first leg of the winter event.
What is the Pokemon Go Holiday Part 1 Path Anyway?
Usually, when people talk about the "path" this time of year, they're referring to one of two things. First, there’s the Timed Research that everyone gets. Then, there’s the branching choice—the actual "path" where you pick a specific bonus.
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Choosing a path is a commitment.
You can't go back. If you pick the path that focuses on catching XP, you’re stuck with it. If you choose the one for Stardust, that’s your life for the next few days. Most veterans suggest going for the Stardust. Why? Because you can always grind XP through friendships and lucky eggs, but high-volume Stardust is harder to come by unless there’s a specific event bonus active.
The Pokemon Go Holiday Part 1 path usually introduces the season's first batch of costumed variants. We’re talking Spheal with scarves, Cetoddle making appearances, and the inevitable return of Eevee wearing a holiday hat.
The Branching Choice: Catching vs. Hatching
In recent years, Niantic has leaned heavily into "Choose Your Own Adventure" style tasks.
For the Holiday Part 1 event, you’re typically asked to pick between focusing on catching Pokemon or hatching Eggs. If you’re a rural player, hatching might be a nightmare. Stick to catching. If you live on top of three stops and a gym, you might find the hatching tasks easier to passive-complete while you’re out walking the dog.
The rewards vary. You’ll see things like:
- Extra XP for catching.
- Extra Stardust for catching.
- Increased Candy for certain species.
Honestly, the difference isn't world-changing, but it adds up over a week of play.
The Costumed Roster and Shiny Odds
Let's be real. We’re all here for the shinies.
The Pokemon Go Holiday Part 1 path is usually the best time to hunt for specific shiny costumes before the pool gets diluted in Part 2. When Part 2 hits, the spawns shift. If you want that Shiny Holiday Hat Pikachu or the ribbon-wearing Delibird, you need to go hard during the first few days.
Don't wait.
The spawn rates for featured event Pokemon are highest right at the start. Historically, players have reported a "tapering" feeling toward the end of the week, though that's mostly anecdotal. What isn't anecdotal is the fact that certain species, like Cryogonal or Bergmite, become much more common during this window.
Mega Glalie and Abomasnow Raids
Raids are a huge part of the path. You’ll likely see Mega Glalie or Mega Abomasnow taking over the Mega slots. If you don't have enough Mega Energy for these, now is the time. They are top-tier Ice-type attackers for Rayquaza raids or any Flying/Dragon/Grass/Ground types you'll face later.
Specific Ice-types to watch for:
- Galarian Darumaka: This guy is a beast. If you see him in 7km eggs or raids, do not skip.
- Cetoddle: Newer to the roster, but a fun evolution into Cetitan.
- Frigibax: Rarely an "event spawn," but often gets a slight bump in egg pools during holiday events.
Is the Paid Ticket Worth Your Five Dollars?
Every year, there’s a "Wonder Ticket" or a "Holiday Pass." It usually costs around $5 USD.
What do you get? Usually, an extra avatar item—like a cozy sweater or a hat—and some encounters with rare-ish Pokemon like Pawmi or maybe a guaranteed shiny if Niantic is feeling generous (rarely). Most importantly, these tickets usually give you an extra "path" of rewards that includes Incubators or Rare Candy.
If you play every day, the value is there. If you’re a casual player who only opens the app once a day to spin a stop, save your money. The free Pokemon Go Holiday Part 1 path provides plenty of content without the price tag.
A Note on Remote Raiding
Remote raid passes are expensive now. We all know it. If you’re trying to complete the raid-specific tasks in your Holiday path, try to use your daily free pass at a local park. If you're stuck inside because of a blizzard, well, that's where those saved-up coins come in handy.
The community often organizes "Raid Hours" during these events. Watch for the 6:00 PM local time window on Wednesdays. That’s usually when the 5-star raids (like Kyurem or Regice) pop up on every single gym.
Strategies for Efficient Completion
You want to finish the Pokemon Go Holiday Part 1 path fast so you can focus on the "Catch 1,000 Pokemon" grinds. Here is how you do it without losing your mind.
- Stack your encounters. Don't claim your reward encounters immediately. If you have a "Catch 10 Ice-types" task later, those saved rewards can help you finish it from your couch.
- Use Glacial Lures. These are almost mandatory during December. Not only do they attract the specific mons you need for the path, but they also allow for the evolution of Glaceon.
- Check your tags. Use the "Age0" search term to quickly clear out your storage after a long walk.
People often forget that the Holiday event usually includes a trade bonus. Sometimes you get an extra Special Trade per day, or extra Candy for trading. If you have a local friend, save all those long-distance 7km egg hatches and trade them for the "distance" medals and extra XL candy. It’s a grind, but it’s the most efficient way to power up your Mamoswines.
The Bergmite Problem
Bergmite is everywhere during Part 1. You might get sick of seeing it. However, Avalugg (especially the Hisuian version if it's in raids) is a solid pick for certain niche PvP formats. Even if you aren't a battler, Bergmite is an easy "Excellent" throw target. Its catch circle is huge. Use these for those "Make 3 Excellent Throws in a row" tasks that inevitably show up in the research.
Common Misconceptions About the Holiday Path
A lot of players think that if they don't finish Part 1, they can't do Part 2.
That’s false.
Part 1 and Part 2 are usually distinct Timed Research sets. However, if there is a "Long-Term" Research (like the ones that last all season), the tasks might get harder if you wait. For example, if a task requires "Catch 50 Ice-types," it’s going to be a lot easier to do that while the Holiday Part 1 spawns are active than it will be in January when the spawns switch back to normal.
Another myth is that the "Shiny Rate" is boosted for everything. It isn't. Only specific "permaboosted" species or specific raid bosses usually have higher odds. Your standard wild Spheal is still roughly a 1-in-512 chance. Don't get discouraged if you don't find a pink walrus on day one.
What to Do Before Part 2 Starts
As we wrap up the first half of the festivities, you should have a checklist.
First, make sure you've claimed every reward from the Pokemon Go Holiday Part 1 path. Timed research expires. Once that clock hits zero, those rewards—and that potential shiny encounter—are gone forever.
Second, clear out your Egg storage. Part 2 often introduces different 7km egg pools or even 2km egg events (like "Hatch Days"). You don't want to be stuck with a bunch of old 10km or 12km eggs when the new bonuses drop.
Third, look at your Ice-type attackers. Do you have a solid team? If not, spend this week catching every Swinub or Darumaka you see. Ice is one of the most useful offensive types in the game, especially for Master League and high-level Raiding.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Today View: Immediately verify how much time is left on your current timer.
- Pick Your Bonus: If you haven't chosen a path yet, look at your resources. Low on Dust? Pick the Stardust path. Trying to hit Level 50? Pick XP.
- Clean Your Bags: Delete those Nanab berries and excess potions to make room for the Great Balls and Ultra Balls you'll need for the high catch-rate holiday mons.
- Coordinate Trades: Reach out to your local Discord or Campfire group to see who has extra shiny costumes for trade before the event ends.
The holiday season in Pokemon Go is a marathon, not a sprint. Take it one path at a time, stay warm, and keep those curveballs consistent.