Pokemon GO trainers, get ready for December 2025’s exciting Spotlight Hours! If you’ve been struggling to keep track of all the weekly events and bonuses, you’re not alone. Here’s the complete December 2025 Spotlight Hour schedule with all featured Pokemon and bonuses to help you plan your gameplay. We’ll cover the full schedule, preparation tips, shiny information, and answer your top questions about these popular Pokemon GO events.
Key Takeaways
- Spotlight Hours happen every Tuesday from 6-7 PM local time in December 2025
- This month features 5 different Pokemon: Cranidos, Shieldon, Mienfoo, Spheal, and Delibird
- Each Spotlight Hour offers unique bonuses like 2x Transfer Candy, 2x Catch XP, and more
- Shiny rates aren’t boosted during Spotlight Hours, but you get more chances due to increased spawns
- Proper preparation can help you maximize your gains during each event
What Are Pokemon GO Spotlight Hours?
Pokemon GO Spotlight Hours are weekly events that happen every Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time. During these special hours, one specific Pokemon appears much more frequently in the wild than usual. These events are part of Niantic’s regular Pokemon GO events designed to keep the game exciting and rewarding for players.
The main appeal of Spotlight Hours is the combination of increased spawn rates and special bonuses. You’ll see the featured Pokemon everywhere – near PokeStops, Gyms, Routes, and just walking around your neighborhood. This makes it the perfect time to stock up on candies, hunt for shiny versions, or add powerful Pokemon to your collection.
These events are especially valuable because they require minimal time commitment but offer maximum rewards. Just one hour of focused gameplay can significantly boost your Pokemon collection and resources.
Complete December 2025 Spotlight Hour Schedule
Here’s the complete schedule for all Pokemon GO Spotlight Hours in December 2025. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss any of these exciting Pokemon GO events!
| Date | Featured Pokemon | Spotlight Bonus | Shiny Available |
| December 2 | Cranidos | 2x Transfer Candy | Yes |
| December 9 | Shieldon | 2x Catch XP | Yes |
| December 16 | Mienfoo | 2x Catch Candy | Yes |
| December 23 | Spheal | 2x Evolution XP | Yes |
| December 30 | Delibird | 2x Catch Stardust | Yes |
This Pokemon GO event schedule gives you plenty of opportunities to catch different Pokemon and take advantage of various bonuses throughout the month. Each Spotlight Hour offers something unique, so you’ll want to participate in all of them if possible.
How to Prepare for Spotlight Hour?
Getting ready for a Spotlight Hour is simple if you follow these steps. Proper preparation will help you make the most of the Pokemon GO time bonuses and increased spawn rates.
First, check your item storage. Make sure you have enough Poke Balls to catch plenty of Pokemon during the event. Regular Poke Balls work fine, but Great and Ultra Balls make catching Pokemon much easier, especially for higher CP individuals.
Next, clear out your Pokemon storage. You’ll be catching lots of Pokemon during the hour, so having enough space is essential. Consider transferring Pokemon you don’t need before the event starts. If there’s a 2x Transfer Candy bonus, you can prepare your Pokemon storage 5 minutes in advance and transfer them all right when the clock hits 6 PM.
Save items related to the specific bonus. For example, if the bonus is 2x Stardust, save your Star Pieces. If it’s 2x XP, save your Lucky Eggs. For candy bonuses, stock up on Pinap Berries to double the candy you receive from catches.
Finally, plan your location. Choose an area with multiple PokeStops or Gyms where you can use Lure Modules. If you’re using Incense, make sure you’re in an area where you can move around to maximize its effectiveness.
Cranidos Spotlight Hour: December 2, 2025
The first Spotlight Hour of December 2025 features Cranidos, the Rock-type Pokemon from the Sinnoh region. This event takes place on Tuesday, December 2 from 6 PM to 7 PM local time with a 2x Transfer Candy bonus.
Cranidos is a popular choice for this Cranidos Spotlight Hour because its evolution, Rampardos, is one of the best rock-type attackers in Pokemon GO. With very high attack stats, Rampardos boasts strong DPS (Damage Per Second), competing with top-tier Pokemon like Tyranitar and Rhyperior.
However, keep in mind that while Rampardos has impressive attack power, it has very low defense stats. This makes it less suitable for trainer battles but excellent for raid battles where you need to deal as much damage as quickly as possible.
During this Spotlight Hour, focus on catching as many Cranidos as possible, especially those with high IVs. The 2x Transfer Candy bonus makes it the perfect time to clear out your storage while stocking up on candies for evolution and powering up.
Shieldon Spotlight Hour: December 9, 2025
On December 9, 2025, from 6 PM to 7 PM local time, Shieldon takes the spotlight with a 2x Catch XP bonus. This Rock-type Pokemon is the counterpart to Cranidos and offers different strategic advantages.
Shieldon evolves into Bastiodon, which has the opposite stats of Rampardos. While Bastiodon doesn’t have high attack power, it has excellent defense stats, making it a great choice for gym defense and certain raid scenarios where durability is important.
The 2x Catch XP bonus during this Shieldon Spotlight Hour is perfect for players looking to level up quickly. Combine this bonus with a Lucky Egg for even greater XP gains. You’ll also want to use Pinap Berries on each catch to maximize candy gains for evolution.
Since this event focuses on XP, prioritize catching every Shieldon you see, even if they don’t have perfect IVs. The XP gains will add up quickly, especially if you’re also completing field research tasks that involve catching Pokemon.
Mienfoo Spotlight Hour: December 16, 2025
December 16, 2025, from 6 PM to 7 PM local time brings us the Mienfoo Spotlight Hour with a 2x Catch Candy bonus. This Fighting-type Pokemon from the Unova region evolves into Mienshao, a powerful attacker with great speed and attack stats.
Mienshao is valued in Pokemon GO for its performance in both raids and PvP battles. Its fast moves and high damage output make it a versatile addition to many teams. The 2x Catch Candy bonus during this Mienfoo Spotlight Hour makes it the perfect time to stock up on candies for evolution and powering up.
To maximize this bonus, use Pinap Berries on every Mienfoo you catch. This will give you 4x the normal candy amount (2x from the Pinap Berry and 2x from the event bonus). You’ll have enough candies to evolve multiple Mienfoo and still have plenty left for powering up your best specimens.
This is also a great time to work on any Fighting-type medals or complete research tasks that require catching Fighting-type Pokemon. The increased spawn rate makes it much easier to make progress on these goals.
Spheal Spotlight Hour: December 23, 2025
The Spheal Spotlight Hour on December 23, 2025, from 6 PM to 7 PM local time features a 2x Evolution XP bonus. This adorable Ice/Water-type Pokemon from the Hoenn region evolves into Sealeo and then into Walrein.
Walrein is a solid Ice-type attacker with good bulk, making it useful for raiding against Dragon, Flying, Ground, and Grass-type Pokemon. While it may not be the absolute best Ice-type attacker, it’s readily available and performs well enough for most content.
The 2x Evolution XP bonus during this Spheal Spotlight Hour is perfect for players looking to gain lots of experience quickly. Evolution is one of the best ways to earn XP in Pokemon GO, and doubling that amount can lead to massive gains, especially when combined with a Lucky Egg.
To prepare for this event, save up as many Spheal as you can in the days leading up to it. You’ll want to have at least 125 candies saved up to evolve one all the way to Walrein, but having more will allow you to evolve multiple Pokemon for maximum XP gains.
Delibird Spotlight Hour: December 30, 2025
The final Spotlight Hour of December 2025 features Delibird on December 30 from 6 PM to 7 PM local time with a 2x Catch Stardust bonus. This festive Ice/Flying-type Pokemon is perfect for the holiday season and offers unique advantages.
Delibird is known for its holiday theme and special move Present, which can either damage or heal opponents. While it’s not typically used in competitive battles, it’s a fun collector’s item and perfect for showing off during the holiday season.
The 2x Catch Stardust bonus during this Delibird Spotlight Hour is extremely valuable. Stardust is one of the most important resources in Pokemon GO, used for powering up Pokemon, unlocking second moves, and purifying Shadow Pokemon. Doubling your Stardust gains for an hour can significantly boost your resources.
To maximize this bonus, use Star Pieces during the event for even greater Stardust gains. You should also focus on catching every Delibird you see, as each catch will contribute to your Stardust total. This is also a great time to use any Star Pieces you’ve been saving.
Are Shiny Pokemon Available During Spotlight Hours?
Many trainers wonder about Shiny Pokemon in Spotlight Hours and whether their chances are improved during these events. The answer is both yes and no.
Shiny rates are NOT boosted during Spotlight Hours. The shiny rate for most Pokemon remains at the standard base rate of about 1 in 500. However, because the featured Pokemon spawns much more frequently during Spotlight Hours, you have more opportunities to encounter and potentially find a shiny version.
Think of it this way: if you normally see 10 of a certain Pokemon in a week, you might have a 1 in 50 chance of finding a shiny that week. During a Spotlight Hour, you might see 100 of that Pokemon in just one hour, giving you a much better chance of finding a shiny even though the individual encounter rate hasn’t changed.
For the December 2025 Spotlight Hours, all featured Pokemon (Cranidos, Shieldon, Mienfoo, Spheal, and Delibird) have their shiny versions available. This means you have a chance to catch shiny versions of each Pokemon during their respective Spotlight Hours.
Best Tips to Maximize Your Spotlight Hour Rewards?
To get the most out of each Spotlight Hour and take advantage of the Spotlight Hour bonuses, follow these proven strategies from experienced Pokemon GO trainers.
First, always use the right items for the bonus. For 2x XP events, activate a Lucky Egg right before the Spotlight Hour begins. For 2x Stardust events, use a Star Piece. For candy bonuses, have plenty of Pinap Berries ready. These items multiply the event bonuses, giving you even greater rewards.
Second, location matters. Choose an area with multiple PokeStops where you can use Lure Modules. If you’re in a rural area, consider using Incense to attract more Pokemon to your location. Urban players should find a cluster of PokeStops to maximize spawn rates.
Third, manage your time efficiently. Spotlight Hour bonuses only last for 60 minutes, so make every second count. Focus solely on catching the featured Pokemon during this time – save other activities like transferring or evolving for before or after the event.
Fourth, prepare your storage in advance. Clear space in both your Pokemon and item storage before the event begins. This prevents you from having to stop and manage storage during the precious event hour.
Finally, consider your gameplay goals. If you’re hunting for shinies, tap on every Pokemon you see to check if it’s shiny. If you’re focused on resources, prioritize quick catches with excellent throws. If you’re working on medals, focus on specific catch types that help you progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spotlight Hour shiny boosted?
No, Spotlight Hour does not boost shiny rates. The shiny rate remains at the standard base rate of about 1 in 500 for most Pokemon. However, you have more chances to find shinies during Spotlight Hours because the featured Pokemon spawns much more frequently than usual. This increased spawn rate gives you more opportunities to encounter and potentially find a shiny version.
What time does Spotlight Hour happen in my time zone?
Spotlight Hour happens every Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time, regardless of where you live in the world. This means it’s based on your device’s local time zone, not a specific global time. If you’re traveling, the event will still occur from 6-7 PM in whatever time zone you happen to be in at that moment.
Should I transfer Pokemon during Spotlight Hour?
It depends on the bonus for that specific Spotlight Hour. If the bonus is 2x Transfer Candy (like the Cranidos Spotlight Hour on December 2), then yes, you should absolutely transfer Pokemon during the event to take advantage of the doubled candy reward. For other bonuses, it’s generally better to wait until after the Spotlight Hour to transfer Pokemon so you can focus all your attention on catching the featured Pokemon.
What items should I use during Spotlight Hour?
The items you should use depend on the specific bonus for that Spotlight Hour. For 2x XP events, use Lucky Eggs. For 2x Stardust events, use Star Pieces. For any event, use Pinap Berries to maximize candy gains. You should also consider using Incense or Lure Modules to increase spawn rates, especially if you’re in an area with fewer natural spawns.
Can you get shinies during Spotlight Hour?
Yes, you can absolutely get shinies during Spotlight Hour! All the featured Pokemon in the December 2025 Spotlight Hours (Cranidos, Shieldon, Mienfoo, Spheal, and Delibird) have their shiny versions available. While the shiny rate isn’t boosted, you have more chances to find shinies due to the increased spawn rate of the featured Pokemon during the event.
Are Spotlight Hour bonuses worth it?
Yes, Spotlight Hour bonuses are definitely worth taking advantage of! These bonuses can significantly boost your resource gains in a short amount of time. Whether it’s double XP for leveling up, double Stardust for powering up Pokemon, or double candy for evolution, these bonuses help you progress faster in the game. The best part is that Spotlight Hours require only a one-hour time commitment each week.
How do I know which Pokemon will be featured next month?
Niantic typically announces the upcoming month’s Spotlight Hour schedule near the end of the current month. You can find this information on the official Pokemon GO blog, in the in-game news section, or on reliable Pokemon GO news websites like Leek Duck, Pokemon GO Hub, or Polygon’s Pokemon GO guide. Bookmarking these resources will help you stay informed about future events.
December 2025’s Pokemon GO Spotlight Hours offer fantastic opportunities to catch rare Pokemon, earn valuable resources, and work toward your gameplay goals. By following this guide and preparing properly for each event, you’ll maximize your rewards and have a great time playing Pokemon GO this holiday season. Don’t forget to check out our other Pokemon content on desinema.com for more gaming tips and guides!
