Looking to maximize your Pokemon Go catches this December? The Spotlight Hour events are back with a fresh lineup of featured Pokemon, boosted spawn rates, and special bonuses that can help you level up fast and fill out your Pokedex.
What Is Pokemon Go Spotlight Hour?
Spotlight Hour is a weekly one-hour event that dramatically increases spawn rates for a specific Pokemon. During this time, you’ll see that creature everywhere, making it the perfect opportunity to:
- Catch enough to evolve your Pokemon
- Hunt for shiny variants
- Stock up on Candy and XP
- Take advantage of special double bonuses
Each week features a different Pokemon and a unique bonus, so planning ahead can help you make the most of each event.
Complete December 2025 Spotlight Hour Schedule
| Pokemon | Date | Time | Bonus | Shiny Available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranidos | December 2 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Local) | 2x Transfer Candy | Yes |
| Shieldon | December 9 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Local) | 2x Catch XP | Yes |
| Mienfoo | December 16 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Local) | 2x Catch Candy | Yes |
| Spheal | December 23 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Local) | 2x Evolution XP | Yes |
| Delibird | December 30 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Local) | 2x Catch Stardust | Yes |
All events run from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in your local timezone, so you can participate no matter where you are in the world.
Next Spotlight Hour: Mienfoo – December 16
The upcoming Pokemon Go Spotlight Hour features Mienfoo on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. This Fighting-type Pokemon will flood the wild between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM local time, with a bonus of double Catch Candy.
Can Mienfoo Be Shiny?
Yes! Shiny Mienfoo is available during this event. The shiny variant is easy to spot—its body takes on a paler tone, and the red details on its arms, legs, and tail change to a bluish purple.
Important note: While Spotlight Hours don’t boost individual shiny rates (which stay at approximately 1/500), the massively increased spawn rates mean you’ll encounter far more Mienfoo than usual, giving you more opportunities to find that rare shiny.
How to Maximize Your Spotlight Hour Experience
With only 60 minutes to work with, preparation is key. Here’s how to get the most out of each event:
Before the Event Starts
Stock up on Poke Balls – You’ll be catching a lot, so make sure you have plenty of regular Poke Balls, Great Balls, and Ultra Balls.
Grab berries – Nanab Berries help with tricky catches, while Razz and Golden Razz Berries increase catch rates. For Candy farming, use Pinap or Silver Pinap Berries to double your Candy per catch.
Clear storage space – Make room in your Pokemon Storage Box so you’re not wasting time transferring Pokemon mid-event.
Buy Incense – If you have spare PokeCoins, grab some Incense to maximize spawns during the hour.
During the Event
Use special items strategically – Pop a Lucky Egg during the December 9 (2x Catch XP) or December 23 (2x Evolution XP) events for even bigger gains. Use Star Pieces during the December 30 event for massive Stardust hauls.
Focus on shiny hunting – If you’re hunting for shinies, tap on every Pokemon you see. If it’s not shiny, flee immediately and move to the next one rather than catching it.
Evolve during bonus hours – For Mienfoo, you need 50 Candy to evolve it into Mienshao. Use Pinap Berries to speed up the process.
December 2025 Spotlight Hour Breakdown
Cranidos – December 2 (2x Transfer Candy)
Perfect for clearing out your storage while earning extra Candy. Catch as many as possible, then transfer the extras for double rewards.
Shieldon – December 9 (2x Catch XP)
This is the best week for leveling up. Stack this bonus with a Lucky Egg for quadruple XP per catch.
Mienfoo – December 16 (2x Catch Candy)
Stock up on Candy to evolve Mienfoo into Mienshao. Great for new players or anyone missing this Fighting-type from their collection.
Spheal – December 23 (2x Evolution XP)
Save your evolutions for this hour and pair them with a Lucky Egg for massive XP gains. This is ideal if you’ve been hoarding Pokemon to evolve.
Delibird – December 30 (2x Catch Stardust)
End the year with a Stardust farming bonanza. Use a Star Piece to triple your Stardust earnings—perfect for powering up your best Pokemon.
Advanced Shiny Hunting Tips
Want to maximize your shiny chances during Spotlight Hours? Follow these strategies:
- Use Incense and Lures to increase spawn frequency even more
- Walk around rather than staying stationary—movement triggers more spawns
- Quick check method – Tap each Pokemon, check if it’s shiny, and flee if not
- Use Pokedex classifications to organize your shiny collection afterward
- Focus on high-spawn areas like parks or shopping centers with multiple PokeStops
Remember: while the base shiny rate stays at roughly 1/500, you might encounter 200+ of the featured Pokemon during the hour, dramatically improving your odds compared to normal gameplay.
The Bottom Line
December 2025’s Spotlight Hour lineup offers something for everyone—whether you’re grinding XP, hunting shinies, or stocking up on Candy and Stardust. The key is preparation: stock up on supplies, clear storage space, and have your special items ready to maximize each bonus.
Mark your calendar for these Tuesday evening events and get ready to catch ’em all!
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Key Takeaway: Pokemon Go Spotlight Hours run every Tuesday in December 2025 from 6-7 PM local time, featuring different Pokemon and bonuses each week. All featured Pokemon can be shiny, with Mienfoo up next on December 16 offering 2x Catch Candy.
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