December 2021 is upon us and it brings with it a new research breakthrough Pokémon Deino, a brand new Mega Pokémon Steelix, new shiny Legendaries Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem.
December is also the start of the Season of Heritage in Pokémon GO, which brings an colossal shift in the overworld spawns, a mysterious new story featuring Professor Willow, the Team Leaders and a mysterious door.
Learn more about the Season of Heritage here, and let’s dive into December 2021 events in Pokémon GO.

Research Breakthrough

From Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8) to Saturday, January 1, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8) Deino will be the reward for the Field Research Breakthrough rewards.
If you’re lucky you may encounter a shiny one ✨! Deino evolves into the popular Hydreigon and is a sought-after Shiny so this should be an exciting time for trainers.
Raids
5-Star Raids
Dec 1st to 16th | Dec 16th to 31st | |
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Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem return, and for the first time in Pokémon Go, you may encounter them as shiny!
From 10 am local on December 1st to 10 am local on December 16th, Reshiram and Zekrom will be in 5-star raids. Then from 10 am local on December 16th to 10 am local on December 31st Kyurem will be in 5-star raids.
Guides: Reshiram Raid Guide, Zekrom Raid Guide, Kyurem Raid Guide
Mega Raids
Dec 1st to Dec 23rd | Dec 23rd to January 7th |
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For the first time in Pokémon GO, Mega Steelix will be appearing in Mega Raids from 10 am local on December 1st, until 10 am local on December 23rd.
Then Mega Abomasnow will make its return at 10 am local on December 23rd until 10 am local on January 7th.
Guides: Mega Abomasnow Raid Counters Guide
Raid Hours
Every Wednesday in December, Raid Hours will continue from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time.
The first three in December will feature Reshiram and Zekrom, while the last two will feature Kyurem.
Date | Pokémon |
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December 1st December 8th December 15th |
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December 22nd December 29th |
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Pokémon Spotlight Hours
In the month of December, Pokémon Spotlight Hour’s will take place every Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, each hour will feature a different Pokémon and a special bonus!
Date | Pokémon | Bonus |
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December 7th |
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2 x Transfer Candy |
December 14th |
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2x XP for Evolving Pokémon |
December 21st |
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2x Catch XP |
December 28th |
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2x Catch Candy |
December Community Day
Saturday, December 18, 2021, and Sunday, December 19, 2021
The final Community Day event follows the tradition of past December Community Days and will feature the Pokémon that were featured during the Community Days of 2021.
Pokémon featured in 2020’s Community Day events will be hatching from Eggs and appearing in raids as well.
For full details check out our December 2021 Community Day Event Guide.
Season of Heritage!
Full guide link: Season of Heritage Guide
- Starts: Wednesday, December 1st at 10:00 a.m. local time
- Ends: Tuesday, March 1st, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
The new Season in Pokémon Go will begin on Wednesday, December 1st, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time! Trainers will embark on a journey inspired by the past as we run-up to the Pokémon Go Tour: Johto event.
Upcoming Events
Swinub Incense Day
Swinub Incense Day: On Sunday, December 5, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Swinub along with Ice-type and Ground-type Pokémon will be attracted more frequently to Incense.
Dragonspiral Descent
Dragonspiral Descent: An event inspired by the Unova region’s Dragonspiral Tower will take place from Tuesday, December 7, 2021, to Monday, December 12, 2021.
A part of the mysterious door located at the historical cave site has been activated!
The rumbling caused by the movement of the door’s locking mechanism disturbed the Pokémon living within the cave—and with them appeared Druddigon, a Pokémon never before seen in Pokémon GO!

During the Dragonspiral Descent event, players will observe an unprecedented surge of Fire-, Electric-, and Ice-type Pokémon appearances that may somehow be connected to Unova’s Dragon-type Legendary Pokémon: Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem!
Pokémon GO Holidays
Pokémon GO Holidays Part 1 and Part 2: The Pokémon GO Holidays event returns on Thursday, December 16, 2021, and runs until Friday, December 31, 2021! Look forward to costumed Pokémon, Ice-type Pokémon appearing more frequently in the wild, event-exclusive Field Research, winter-themed avatar items, and a bonanza of bonuses!