Pokémon GO New Year's 2023 Event: Dates, Debuts, Raids, and Bonuses Announced

Pokémon GO players can look forward to ringing in 2023 in style as The Pokémon Company and Niantic have officially announced the details for the Pokémon GO New Year's 2023 event.

The celebration is set to run globally from December 31, 2022, at 8:00 p.m.

local time until January 4, 2023, at 8:00 p.m.

local time, offering trainers a host of festive encounters, special in-game items, and exclusive event bonuses. Pokémon GO, the popular mobile title from Niantic and overseen by The Pokémon Company, continues to thrive on Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms.

The New Year's event, a staple for dedicated players, brings an array of limited-time features that capitalize on the game's vibrant, ever-evolving ecosystem. According to an official announcement, players can expect the debut of Pikachu clad in a party top hat, with shiny variants also appearing in the wild for the duration of the event.

Additionally, trainers will be able to evolve Hoothoot dressed in a New Year's outfit into a Noctowl sporting the same celebratory attire, marking Noctowl’s first appearance in this exclusive look. For avatar customization, two new items—the Pikachu Party Hat and the Party Popper Pose—will be available to purchase in the in-game shop starting with the event, and will remain accessible beyond its conclusion.

Event-themed stickers can be collected by spinning PokéStops, opening gifts, or making purchases in the PokéShop, allowing trainers to spread some New Year cheer as they play. Throughout the event window, several Pokémon will appear in themed wild encounters, including Hoothoot in its New Year's outfit, Pikachu in a party top hat, and Wurmple with a party hat.

The festivities extend to 7km Eggs, with possible hatches including Azurill, Cleffa, Elekid, Igglybuff, Magby, Pichu in a party hat, Smoochum, Togepi, Tyrogue, and Wynaut—each with the potential to appear in its shiny form. Completing New Year's-themed Field Research Tasks during the event will reward players with Stardust, enhancing the reward pool for trainers who engage with the game’s research mechanics.

The raids schedule is packed, including: - One-Star Raids: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu (all with party hats), and Hoothoot in a New Year's outfit - Three-Star Raids: Gengar, Nidorino, Raticate, and Wobbuffet, all featuring party hats - Five-Star Raids: Reshiram - Mega Raids: Mega Steelix All Pokémon featured in these raids will also have a chance to be encountered in their shiny forms, offering even greater incentive for players to participate in these limited-time battles. Two special event bonuses will enhance the New Year's 2023 event experience.

The first halves the Egg hatching distance for all Pokémon eggs placed in an incubator during the event.

The second reduces the distance required to hatch the first three Eggs via the mobile app widget to just one-quarter of the usual requirement, making it easier for trainers to add newly dressed Pokémon to their collections. This annual event underlines Niantic and The Pokémon Company's commitment to providing engaging, community-focused updates for Pokémon GO, sustaining its popularity on mobile devices and maintaining its standing among Nintendo’s key franchise titles. Pokémon GO’s New Year's 2023 event once again brings together fans and new players alike, ensuring that the transition into 2023 is filled with excitement, exclusive in-game experiences, and memorable moments for trainers worldwide.

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