While Taiwan's Google Play Store leaked details on Pokemon GO's holiday 2017 event, Niantic itself has now confirmed its existence. Not only has Niantic detailed what fans can expect from the game's latest event, however, it has also revealed its start time. Pokemon trainers the world over can participate in the festivities beginning later today at 1pm PST.

To kick off the Pokemon GO holiday event, Niantic is adding third generation water- and ice-type Pokemon that have yet to be seen in the game. Judging by the promotional image for the event released by Niantic, this could include the legendary Pokemon Kyogre, who may start appearing in legendary raids once Groudon has his run.

Over the course of the event, ice-type Pokemon from all three generations will be more common than usual. On top that, players will be gifted with a free egg incubator once a day from December 22 to December 25 when they spin their first PokeStop wheel.

Besides these free goodies, Pokemon GO's holiday event will also bring with it bonuses in its in-game shop. From December 21 to December 25 at 1pm PST, players can buy special boxes that will include Lure Modules, Super Incubators, and Star Pieces. Then from December 25 to January 4, 2018 when the event ends, new boxes will be available, which trade out the Lure Modules for Premium Raid Passes.

Along with these benefits, Pokemon GO players will also have another chance to catch a Santa Hat Pikachu during the course of the game's holiday event. Presumably, players will also have their first opportunity to catch a Santa Hat variant of Pichu during this year's holiday event as well, since Pichu wasn't in the game at this time last year.

All things considered, it looks like Niantic is going all out for Pokemon GO's holiday event this year by making ice-type Pokemon more common, adding new goodies to the store, bringing back Santa Hat Pikachu, and introducing brand new Pokemon to the game. Between this extensive holiday event and Niantic's new incentives for inactive players, it will be interesting to see how many lapsed Pokemon trainers return to the popular mobile game.

Pokemon GO is available now for iOS and Android mobile devices.

Source: Pokemon GO