Pokemon Go Max Mondays December 2025 – All Raid Bosses and Times
Max Mondays are bringing some exciting new faces to Pokemon Go this December 2025, and if you’ve been building up your Dynamax roster, you’re in for a treat. The highlight? Cryogonal, the Crystalizing Pokemon from Unova, is making its debut as a Max Raid boss—and yes, you can catch its shiny form!
As the Precious Paths season rolls on, Max Mondays continue to be a solid opportunity to expand your super-sized Pokemon collection. These special Monday evening events feature Dynamax and Gigantamax Raid Battles that require Max Particles to enter, giving trainers a focused hour to battle and catch specific Pokemon.
Unlike Community Days with their research tickets and various bonuses, Max Mondays keep it simple: one Pokemon, one hour, pure Dynamax battling. Think of it as Pokemon Go’s version of Spotlight Hour, but specifically for Max Raids. Let’s break down everything you need to dominate December’s Max Monday schedule.
When Is the Next Max Monday in Pokemon Go?
The next Max Monday features Dynamax Cryogonal on December 8, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time.
Here’s what makes this event special: just like the previous Darumaka spotlight, Cryogonal can be encountered in its shiny form during its Max Raid hour. This is your guaranteed window to hunt for that shiny variant without waiting for random encounters or hoping for luck during other events.
Mark your calendar and set a reminder—these events only last 60 minutes, and once that hour passes, you’ll have to wait until the Pokemon potentially rotates back into the schedule.
Complete December 2025 Max Monday Raid Schedule
Here’s your full lineup of Max Raid bosses for December, complete with dates, times, and shiny availability:
Week 1: Dynamax Darumaka
December 1 – December 7, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Local Time
- Featured Pokemon: Dynamax Darumaka
- Shiny Available: Yes
Week 2: Dynamax Cryogonal (Current)
December 8 – December 14, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Local Time
- Featured Pokemon: Dynamax Cryogonal
- Shiny Available: Yes
This is the big one for Unova fans! Cryogonal doesn’t appear frequently in Pokemon Go, making this Max Monday an excellent opportunity to stock up on candy and hunt for that shiny.
Week 3: Dynamax Kabuto
December 15 – December 21, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Local Time
- Featured Pokemon: Dynamax Kabuto
- Shiny Available: Yes
The classic fossil Pokemon returns! Kabuto’s shiny form has always been popular, and having a Dynamax version makes it even more valuable for your collection.
Week 4: Dynamax Spheal
December 22 – December 28, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Local Time
- Featured Pokemon: Dynamax Spheal
- Shiny Available: Yes
Perfect timing for the holidays! Spheal is adorable in its regular form, but imagine a super-sized version. Plus, its evolution line is useful for Ice-type raid coverage.
Week 5: Dynamax Omanyte
December 29 – January 4, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Local Time
- Featured Pokemon: Dynamax Omanyte
- Shiny Available: Yes
Closing out December and rolling into the new year with another fossil Pokemon. This gives you a chance to grab both ancient Pokemon (Kabuto and Omanyte) in Dynamax form within the same month.
How to Prepare for Max Monday Raids in Pokemon Go
Max Mondays only last an hour, so preparation is key to maximizing your chances during these events. Here’s your complete prep checklist:
Stock Up on Max Particles
Max Particles are the currency you need to enter Max Raid battles, and you’ll want a hefty supply. These particles are gathered from:
- Power Spots scattered around your local area
- Walking and exploring to find Max Particle spawns
- Completing certain in-game activities
Pro Tip: Start collecting Max Particles several days before the Max Monday event. Aim for at least 800-1000 particles so you can participate in multiple raids throughout the hour without running dry. Running out of particles mid-event is frustrating, trust me.
Build Your Raid Team
Max Raids are tougher than regular raids, and going in solo or with a small group can be rough. Here’s how to optimize your team situation:
- Coordinate with friends ahead of time – Max Raids are still relatively new to Pokemon Go, and they require solid teamwork
- Join local Discord or community groups – Find other trainers who’ll be participating
- Plan a physical meetup location if you’re raiding in person – Many trainers find it easier to coordinate when battling from the same spot
The more trainers you have, the faster you’ll clear raids, and the more attempts you can make during that 60-minute window.
Power Up Your Dynamax Pokemon
Only Pokemon capable of Dynamaxing or Gigantamaxing can participate in these battles. Before Monday hits:
- Level up your existing Dynamax-capable Pokemon
- Ensure you have a diverse type coverage (Water, Fire, Grass, Electric types are usually safe bets)
- Power up Pokemon that counter the featured raid boss
For Cryogonal specifically: It’s an Ice-type, so your Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel-type Dynamax Pokemon will deal super effective damage. If you have a Dynamax Charizard, Cinderace, or Blaziken, they’ll be excellent choices.
Optimize Your Item Inventory
Make the most of your Max Monday hour by having these items ready:
Star Pieces – Activate these to boost Stardust gains from raids. Stardust is always valuable, and Max Raids can drop significant amounts.
Lucky Eggs – Double your XP gains during the event. If you’re completing multiple raids, the XP adds up quickly.
Max Revives and Max Potions – Your Dynamax Pokemon will take damage, and you’ll need to heal them between battles. Stock up beforehand.
Golden Razz Berries – Increase your catch rate for the featured Pokemon, especially if you’re hunting for shinies with good IVs.
Why Max Mondays Matter for Pokemon Go Players
If you’re wondering whether Max Mondays are worth your time, here’s the deal:
Guaranteed Shiny Encounters Available: Every featured Pokemon during December’s Max Monday schedule can be shiny. While the rates aren’t publicly disclosed, having a focused hour to chain multiple encounters significantly increases your odds.
Exclusive Dynamax Collection Opportunities: Some Pokemon rarely appear as Dynamax encounters outside of these scheduled events. Missing Max Monday means potentially waiting months for another chance.
Candy and Stardust Farming: Even if you’re not interested in collecting Dynamax Pokemon, these raids offer solid rewards. The candy is useful for powering up regular versions, and the Stardust helps with general account progression.
Community Building: Max Mondays bring the local Pokemon Go community together. It’s a great time to meet other trainers, coordinate future raids, and share tips.
Max Mondays vs Other Pokemon Go Events
Understanding how Max Mondays fit into the broader Pokemon Go event calendar helps you prioritize your time:
Max Mondays vs Spotlight Hour: Both happen weekly and focus on specific Pokemon, but Spotlight Hour features regular spawns with bonuses like double candy or XP. Max Mondays are exclusively for Dynamax raids with no additional bonuses beyond shiny availability.
Max Mondays vs Community Day: Community Days are all-day events (usually 2-5 PM) with exclusive moves, boosted shiny rates, and research tickets. Max Mondays are shorter (one hour), don’t include special moves, and focus solely on Dynamax encounters.
Max Mondays vs Raid Hours: Traditional Raid Hours feature multiple gyms with the same raid boss simultaneously. Max Mondays use the Max Raid system with Power Spots instead of gyms, requiring Max Particles instead of Raid Passes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pokemon Go Max Mondays
Can I participate in Max Monday raids if I’m a solo player?
While technically possible, Max Raids are significantly harder for solo players. The battles are designed for groups, and many trainers struggle to complete them alone even with maxed-out Dynamax Pokemon. Your best bet is to find a local community group or coordinate with friends. Even a team of 3-4 trainers makes a massive difference compared to going solo. Check social media or community boards for local raid groups organizing Max Monday meetups.
What happens if I run out of Max Particles during the Max Monday hour?
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to participate in more raids until you collect additional Max Particles. This is why pre-farming particles is crucial—aim to have 800-1000 particles before the event starts. If you do run out, you’ll need to visit Power Spots to gather more, but this eats into your limited 60-minute window. Learn from this experience and stockpile more for next week!
Are the shiny rates boosted during Max Monday raids?
Niantic hasn’t officially disclosed the shiny rates for Max Monday events. However, based on community reports and player experiences, the rates appear to be similar to other special raid events—likely around 1 in 20 to 1 in 60 encounters. Your best strategy is to complete as many raids as possible during the hour to maximize your shiny chances. Having a full team and plenty of Max Particles lets you chain multiple encounters quickly.
Can I catch multiple Dynamax versions of the featured Pokemon during one Max Monday?
Absolutely! Unlike some limited events where you can only catch one special Pokemon, Max Mondays let you catch as many as you can battle during the hour. If you have enough Max Particles and a good team, you could potentially catch 5-10 or more Dynamax Pokemon in a single event. This is great for candy farming, hunting for high IV specimens, and increasing your shiny odds. The more raids you complete, the better your chances!
Tips for Maximizing Your Max Monday Experience
Arrive Early: Get to your raid location 10-15 minutes before 6:00 PM to coordinate with your team and ensure everyone’s ready when the hour starts.
Use Remote Communication: Discord, WhatsApp groups, or even in-game chat helps coordinate multiple raids efficiently. Time wasted organizing is time lost for raiding.
Prioritize High-Traffic Areas: Power Spots in popular locations tend to have more trainers participating, making it easier to find full raid groups.
Don’t Stress Over Every Shiny: While shiny hunting is exciting, don’t let one missed shiny ruin your hour. Focus on completing as many raids as possible—more raids mean more chances.
Check IVs Before Transferring: Even if you’re not keeping every Dynamax Pokemon, check IVs on shinies and high-level catches. You might get a perfect or near-perfect specimen worth keeping.
Max Mondays are quickly becoming a Pokemon Go staple, and December’s lineup offers excellent variety from Unova favorites to classic fossil Pokemon. Whether you’re hunting shinies, building your Dynamax collection, or just enjoying the community aspect, these weekly events are worth blocking out an hour for. Good luck with your raids, Trainers!
Looking for more Pokemon freebies this December? Check out our Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Mystery Gift Codes guide for all the latest redemption codes!
