Pokémon Go Events: What's coming in 2018

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Party-hat Pikachu ends today, Bulbasaur Community Day coming March 25, Kyogre and Groudon are back, joining Rayquaza for a week of Legendary Raids.

The next Pokémon Go Community Day with feature Dratini, 3x Stardust on catches, and the chance to evolve a Dragonite with Draco Meteor!

Pokémon Go is intended to get you out and about, both on your own and with family and friends. One of the ways Pokémon Go tries to bolster activity is with events. Some of the events get splashy announcements and coincide with big public holidays. Others are quieter and more regular. Here's what's happened already and what's coming up next.

Upcoming Events: Pokémon Go Community Day on March 25, 2018 will feature... Bulbasaur!

Pokémon Go has begun teasing its next Community Day, scheduled for March 25, 2018. The featured Pokémon will be the Gen 1 Starter, Bulbasaur. The bonuses are 3X XP for catches and, as usual, 3-hour Lures.

No word yet on the exclusive move. (January was Surf for Pikachu, February was Draco Meteor if/when you evolved a Dragonite — so anything is any mechanic is clearly game.)

Bulbasaur ultimately evolves into Venusaur, one of but not the best Grass-type Pokémon in the game. Some might see it as a let-down after last months Dratini (and Draco Meteor Dragonite) event, but Bulbasaur remains a fan favorite, Venusaur remains bulky and Solar Beam powerful, and, if Shiny Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur come along for the ride, it should be fun.

Times remain the same:

Asia-Pacific: 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. JST (GMT +9)
Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India: 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. UTC (GMT +0)
Americas and Greenland: 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. PST (GMT -8) / 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST (GMT -5)

Read the Pokémon Go Community Day Guide

Current Events: Pokémon Day 2018 brings party-hat Pikachu back out to play!

Happy Pokémon Day! Celebrate all things Pokémon with festive Pikachu wearing party hats available in the wild from February 26 to February 28. pic.twitter.com/pwRau4YFzw
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) February 26, 2018

Current Pokémon Go Events: Kyogre and Groudon join Rayquaza in Raids until March 5

If you missed out on battling, beating, and catching the Legendary Ground-type, Groudon, or Water-type, Kyogre — two of the best Pokémon in the game — you now have a second chance... for one week only.

From Pokémon Go:

Now is the time to test your strength! Legendary Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon return to Raid Battles alongside Rayquaza for a limited time. Now is an excellent chance to finally catch all three ancient Legendary Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region!

Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza each have their own strengths and weaknesses, so challenging all three will take skill! Power up your strongest Pokémon, grab your friends, and head to nearby Gyms for a chance to battle and catch them from February 23 until March 5.

We're in for some legendary battles, and the overall result will be exciting! If Rayquaza is defeated more than Kyogre and Groudon combined, Pokémon that typically prefer windy weather (for example, Bagon) are more likely to hatch from Eggs from March 5 to March 16. If not, Pokémon that prefer sunny or rainy weather (like Trapinch or Lotad) are more likely to hatch.

These battles will be tough, so we have new special boxes debuting on February 24, containing Raid Passes to help you prepare. Visit the in-game store to find out more.

Did you know Pokémon is celebrating a 'legendary' year in 2018? You can learn about more about these and other Legendary Pokémon at Pokemon.com/Legendary.

Current Pokémon Go Events: Chiayi Lantern Festival goes Pokémon Go Safari Zone from February 26 to March 3

For thousands of years, the Lantern Festival has symbolized good luck and fortune. See beautiful lights and honor the New Year with Pokémon GO during a special Safari Zone event at the Chiayi Lantern Festival in Taiwan, hosted by the Chiayi County government from February 26 to March 3.

Dratini, Mr. Mime, Growlithe and many other Pokémon will be appearing at the Pokémon GO Safari Zone event among the lanterns during the daytime, starting at 7:00 AM. At 5:00 PM, as the lanterns begin to glow, Trainers will see Chinchou and Lanturn in the wild! There will also be Pokémon to discover around Puzi City and the rest of Chiayi County, so make sure you walk around and enjoy all that Chiayi has to offer. And of course, don't miss the beauty of the lanterns, which will bring good health, wealth and love in the New Year.

We also want to extend our thoughts and condolences to those affected by the nearby earthquake. We hope those lanterns will bring the people of Taiwan comfort, and we sincerely wish you healing and a strong recovery.

Current Pokémon Go Events: Legendary Rayquaza Raids until March 16

From Pokémon Go:

Prepare for exciting new adventures as you encounter even more Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region on February 9! Alongside several Flying- and Dragon-type Pokémon appearing in Pokémon GO for the first time, the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza will descend from the ozone layer and become available in Raid Battles for a limited time.

The Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza will be appearing in Raid Battles in Gyms near you until March 16. You'll also have a chance to battle the Legendary Water-type Pokémon Kyogre before it swims away on February 14. Will you be the first to catch all three ancient Legendary Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region?

Dragon hunting time!

Upcoming Pokémon Go Events: 2018 will be a Legendary Year

From The Pokémon Company:

The Pokémon Company International today announced plans to celebrate a legendary year in 2018, highlighting some of the most sought-after Pokémon yet to be discovered. From February to November, Legendary Pokémon will be featured across the franchise, including monthly video game character distributions, new Pokémon Trading Card Game products, mobile game retail and animation promotions.

Legendary Pokémon are extremely rare and powerful Pokémon, which exist across all regions of the Pokémon universe. Often elusive and incredibly hard to catch, Legendary Pokémon hold the answers to Pokémon lore and are deeply rooted to the regions from which they originate. Fans can learn more about these Pokémon at http://ift.tt/2mMyt6D

As to Pokémon Go specifically:

Pokémon GO players can also expect to see special promotions featuring Legendary Pokémon in 2018 as part of this legendary year celebration, with details being released soon.

Now we just have to wait and see when and how this Legendary Year manifests itself in Pokémon Go!

2018 Pokémon Go Events: The potentials!

Based on past events, there are a few guesses we can make about future events. First, regional holidays don't mean regional events. Halloween isn't an internationally observed occasion but the event was worldwide. U.S. Thanksgiving is only celebrated in the U.S., and while it was an event in 2016 it gave way to the Global Catch Challenge in 2017.

Also, Pokémon Go has multiple levers to pull. The game can increase rewards, like candy, XP, and stardust. It can decrease requirements, like walking distance. It can increase spawn rates for all or specific Pokémon, like pink colored Pokémon or water-types, and create limited edition Pokémon just for events, like Party Hat Pikachu. It can also give away items or increase their duration, like 1-use Incubators or 8-hour Lures.

Pokémon Go can have events to aid in charitable causes, like the highly localized tsunami-relief event in Japan that featured Lapras or Snorlax exclusively for a week. There was also an event simply to promote the new streaks and bonuses. So, if they want to maintain momentum and there's too long a gap between proper occasions, Pokémon Go can invent their own.

You know what they say, though: The best indicator of future (Pokémon Go) events is...

Past Pokémon Go Events

The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. So, to look forward to the next Pokémon Go events, it's helpful to look back at the events that have already run.

Pokémon Go Lunar New Year Event 2018

Feeling lucky? Starting today until February 17, Trainers who catch a Poochyena, Growlithe, Snubbull, Eevee, or Electrike will receive bonus Stardust. Happy #LunarNewYear! pic.twitter.com/FqaVsO65b3
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) February 15, 2018

Shiny Poochyena as well! But, yhy was Houndour left out?

Pokémon Go Valentines Day Event 2018

Happy Valentines, Trainers! Until February 15, schools of Luvdisc will be out swimming and awarding 3x Stardust for each one caught. #PokemonGOValentines❤️ pic.twitter.com/awxBGLPxcd
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) February 13, 2018

Chansey as well. Not as big or long a deal as last year's Pink Pokémon event, but don't look a gift 3x heart 'mon in the mouth. Or something like that. Also: Shiny Luvdisc!

Hoenn Egg Event

Pokémon Go held a Hoenn Egg Event from January 24 to February 1, 2018.

Get hatching, Trainers. For a limited time, every Egg you hatch will feature a Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region. pic.twitter.com/WOWdLzyPpj
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) January 24, 2018

Pokémon Go Community Days

Pokémon Go is holding off a series of monthly community events where trainers around the world are able to catch Pokémon with exclusive moves for extra XP or Stardust, and with Lures that last three hours.

Previous Community Days have featured:

Current Events: Dratini is coming for Pokémon Go Community Day on February 24

February 24, 2018: 11am to 2pm PT: Dratini, evolve Dragonite with Draco Meteor, increased chance to catch (the newly added) Shiny Dratini family, 3x Stardust on catches.
January 20, 2018, 11am to 2pm PT: Pikachu with Surf, increased chance to catch Shiny Pikachu, 2x XP.

Pokémon Go Holiday & New Year 2018 Event

Celebrate the holiday season with festive Pikachu, Ice-types, Gen 3 Water- and Ice-types, free incubators, special boxes, Star Pieces, and AR+ for iPhone!

Pokémon Go Travel and the Global Catch Challenge 2017

Instead of a U.S. Thanksgiving event in 2017, Pokémon Go went international with a Global Catch Challenge. Pokémon Go trainers around the world caught over 3 billion Pokemon, unlocking Double XP, Double Stardust, Kangaskhan in Asia, and Farfetch'd in the rest of the world!

Pokémon Go Halloween Event 2017

Pokémon Go's second Halloween event included increased Ghost-type spawns, just like last year, and also some Dark-types from Gen 2. More exciting, the Gen 3 Ghosts debuted during the event. There was also double candy and a special witch-hat Pichu and Pikachu.

Pokémon Go Halloween 2017 Event Guide

Pokémon Go Safari Zones Europe 2017

The Pokémon Go Safari Zones gave people in several major European cities the chance to catch Kangaskhan and Unown spelling E U R O P E.

Pokémon Autumnal Equinox Event 2017

Running from September 22 to October 3, the Autumnal Equinox event offered double stardust and special 2KM eggs for your hatching delight. Super incubators, which hatched 1.5x faster were available in the Pokémon Go Store, and triple XP for any new Pokémon added to your Pokédex.

Pokémon World Championships 2017

As part of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Video Game World Championships on August 19 and 20 in Anaheim, California, Pokémon Go players in the vicinity had a chance to catch Kangaskhan — usually regional to Australia — and Unown spelling WORLDS.

European Sightings 2017

Safari Zones Europe might was drastically downscaled but Niantic made it up to players with European sightings instead. Similar to what happened with Pokémon Go Fest Chicago, an extra-continental legendary — in this case Kangaskhan — and Unown spelling out the location — in this case Europe — were being spotted.

Locations included:

Vienna, Austria
Prague, Czech Republic
Copenhagen, Denmark
Helsinki, Finland
Dijon, France
Lille, France
Lyon, France
Marseille, France
Nice, France
Paris, France
Rennes, France
Berlin, Germany
Bochum, Germany
Gera, Germany
Leipzig, Germany
Mönchengladbach, Germany
Munich, Germany
Oberhausen, Germany
Recklinghausen, Germany
Milan, Italy
Naples, Italy
Rome, Italy
Oslo, Norway
Warsaw, Poland
Lisbon, Portugal
Bratislava, Slovakia
Badajoz, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Cádiz, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Sevilla, Spain
San Sebastián, Spain
Valencia, Spain
Valladolid, Spain
Stockholm, Sweden
Zürich, Switzerland
Almere, The Netherlands
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Leidschendam, The Netherlands
Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
Belfast, United Kingdom
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Glasgow, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom
Manchester, United Kingdom

Pikachu Outbreak Japan 2017

As part of Pokémon's Pikachu Outbreak celebration in Japan, Pokémon Go brought Mr. Mine over for a short amount of time, increased spawns for Unown letters spelling Yokohama, added rare spawns from 2K eggs, introduced Shiny Pichu, Pikachu, and Raichu, and unleashed the very first Mewtwo Legendary Raids: with 9+ hour times, 50+ premiere balls, and... a guaranteed catch rate of 100% — at least for the event.

Pokémon Go Fest Chicago Bonus Event 2017

Following up on Pokémon Go Fest Chicago, a slew of bonuses were unlocked, including:

Double Stardust
Double Candy
Double XP
Increased Pokémon encounters
Reduced hatching distance
Reduced buddy distance

Hopefully, we won't have to wait another year for that many bonuses again.

Pokémon Go Fest Chicago

Pokémon Go Fest Chicago was the first major real-world event for Niantic's incredibly popular augmented reality, geo-hunting game. It took place Saturday, July 22, at Grant Park in Chicago, IL, and — the servers crashed and burned.

Still, Pokémon Go made good with refunds, $100 in Poké Coins, and a Lugia for every participant, as well as a 100% catch rate for Legendary Raids around the venue.

Pokémon Go Anniversary Event

Pokémon Go's Anniversary Event ran from July 6 to July 24 with a special Ash-hat Pikachu for players to catch in the wild and discounted Anniversary Boxes and Special Boxes to buy in the Poké Shop. The first Box was underwhelming but the second set delivered.

Pokémon Go Solstice fire- and ice-type event

From June 13 to 21, 2017 (extended a day due to Pokémon Trainer Club (PTC) login issues, Pokémon Go held and event of Ice- and Fire in honor of the summer soultice in the north and the winter solstice in the south. In addition to extra fire- and ice-type spawns, there was 5x XP on hatching eggs, 3x XP on catching Pokémon, and 50% off Lucky Eggs in the Poké Shop.

More on thePokémon Go solstice Ice- and Fire-type event

Pokémon Go Adventure Week rock-type event

Pokémon Go had a rock-type event, called Adventure Week, from May 18 to May 25, 2017. During the event, rock-type Pokémon spawned at a higher rate, Buddy candy accrued at 4x the usual speed, Poké Balls were 50% off in the shop, and extra items were dropped at PokéStops!

More on the Pokémon Go Adventure Week Rock-type Event

PokémonGo Worldwide Bloom Event 2017 (Grass-type)

Pokémon Go held a worldwide bloom event from May 5 to May 8, 2017. During the event, grass-type Pokémon spawns were increased and Lures lasted for six hours.

Pokémon Go "Golden Week" Lure Event at McDonald's Japan

Pokémon Go held a Lure Event for "Golden Week" in Japan, from April 29 to May 7, 2017.

4月29日(土)から5月7日(日)の期間、国内のマクドナルド約2,500店舗の「ポケストップ」に花びらが舞い、ポケモンをたくさんゲットできる「ルアーモジュールコラボイベント」が開催されます！GOルデンウィークはマクドナルドへGO！ pic.twitter.com/IL7qv9Hjlz
— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) April 28, 2017

Rough translation, cleaned up from Google:

During the period from Saturday, April 29 to Sunday, May 7, the petals will dance at PokéStops located at about 2,500 local MacDonald's. The "Lure module collaboration event" will be held so that you can get a lot of Pokemon! GO Golden Week goes to McDonald's GO!

Unlike the American Thanksgiving event, which was made international, this event was Japan-only, with McDonald's Japan footing the bill.

Pokémon Go and Knight Foundation on May 7, 2017

Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon Go and Ingress, and the Knight Foundation, and organization focused on community engagement, announced an ongoing partnership that hopes to use location and augmented-reality based gaming to help bring neighborhoods and neighbors together.

The first event was set for May 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of the Open Streets 704 event in a 2.5-mile area. 16 PokéStops and two Gyms, selected by the City of Charlotte at significant sites along the route, were offer increased spawns to help make it exciting and engaging for everyone.

May 4, 2017 - Niantic, Inc., creators of hit augmented reality games Pokémon GO and Ingress, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation have formed a multi-year partnership to advance civic engagement in local communities around the United States through augmented reality experiences. The partnership will foster discovery, bring communities together, and promote engagement within public spaces by leveraging Niantic's mobile location-based technology and experiences at select community events supported by The Knight Foundation.

"We founded Niantic to give people the chance to connect with the world around them using technology and games in innovative ways," said John Hanke, CEO, Niantic, Inc. "The partnership with The Knight Foundation is a great forum to explore how technology can drive civic engagement."

The collaboration will play out at community events in several cities, including Knight-sponsored Open Streets events. These temporarily close off car traffic so people can use streets for walking, bicycling, dancing, playing and socializing. The initiative will also tap unique facets of a city's public spaces such as parks and libraries to bring together people of diverse backgrounds and build a sense of shared community. Over the next year, Niantic will collaborate with civic leaders in several cities where Knight Foundation supports community engagement. The initiative will work to enhance these events featuring special content within their augmented reality mobile games, Ingress and Pokémon GO.

"Pokemon Go has already showed us the impact technology can have on getting people out into public," said Sam Gill, Knight vice president for learning and impact. "We're excited to work with Niantic to explore new ways to help people engage with each other and their neighborhoods."

The first event in the collaboration between Niantic and the Knight Foundation will be hosted on May 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina as part of the Open Streets 704 event in a 2.5 mile area. Though this first event will be experimental, fans of Pokémon GO can look forward to interacting with 16 PokéStops and two Gyms selected by the City of Charlotte at significant sites along the route. These locations will be highlighted on the official Open Streets 704 route map displayed at the event. To further immerse fans in the real-world experience, the physical location of each PokéStop will be physically marked along the route.

There are some reports that the event wasn't well organized and that many weren't pleased the only thing they got for participating was a set of stickers. Others seem to have really liked it. Either way, I hope we see many more of these, and like these, going forward.

Pokémon Go 'Eggstravaganza' Spring Event 2017

The Pokémon Go Spring Even lasted from April 13 to April 20, 2017. During the event, you got double XP, extra candy from egg hatches, and many 5 KM and 10 KM Pokémon began hatching from 2 KM eggs, including Lapras and Aerodactyl. Lucky Eggs were also offered at 50% in the Pokémon Go Shop.

More on the Pokémon Go Spring / Easter Event

Pokémon Go Water Festival 2017

The Pokémon Go Water Festival was done to help raise awareness for various global water days and weeks. During the festival, water-type Pokémon spawned at a much-increased rate, often replacing the typical common and rare spawns almost completely. And yes, that included Lapras!

In addition, a Magikarp hat was made available for trainers to wear, and Shiny Pokémon were introduced into Pokémon Go for the first time in the form of gold Magikarp and red Gyarados.

More on the Pokémon Go Water Festival Event

Pokémon Go Snorlax in Japan Event 2017

Similar to last fall's Lapras event, Japan's Kumamoto region is getting a Snorlax event to help bolster tourism following the earthquake of 2016.

熊本県全域、及び大分県由布市、別府市で、カビゴンが現れやすくなるとの情報が届きました。ポケモンのふえに起こされたのでしょうか？この現象は3/4から3/13まで続くようです！現地は復興作業が続いている地域、場所がございます。危険な場所には立ち入らず、熊本、大分を楽しんでくださいね！ pic.twitter.com/24SbqeLuOI
— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) March 2, 2017

Here's an approximate translation:

We've received information that in the Kumamoto prefecture and in Oita prefecture, Yufu city and Beppu city, Snorlax has begun appearing more frequently. Was it roused by the Pokémon flute? The phenomenon is expected to continue from March 4 to March 13. There are areas and places where local reconstruction work is continuing. Do not enter a dangerous place. Otherwise, please enjoy Kumamoto and Oita!

If you're in Japan or have wanted to go to Japan, and Snorlax is still on your must-get list, now's the time to go!

Pokémon Day from February 26 to March 6, 2017

The Pokémon Day event saw Pokémon Go join the larger festivities by offering a special, limited edition Pikachu in a festive hat that could be caught from February 26 at 1:00 p.m. PST to March 6 at 1:00 p.m. PST.

More on the Pokémon Day event and Party Hat Pikachu

Pokémon Go Valentine's Day Event 2017

Pokémon Go ran a Valentine's Day event for a whole week! That's right, from February 8 to February 15, 2017.

During the Valentine's event there was double candy, half walking distances, increased spawning rates for pink Pokémon, and Lures that lasted six hours.

More about the Pokémon Go Valentine's event

Pokémon Go Holiday & New Year Events 2016/2017

The Pokémon Go Holiday & New Year Events overlapped, the holiday part running from December 25 through January 3, 2017 and the New Year part, December 30 through January 8.

During the holiday part, it offered and increased spawn rate for limited-time Santa Pikachu, an increased chances of hatching Gen 2 babies Cleffa, Igglybuff, Togepi, Smoochum, Elekid, or Magby, and a free 1-time Incubator from the first PokéStop spin of the day.

During the New Year part, it offered Increased spawn rate for Gen 1 Starter Pokémon and their evolutions, Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise, and Lures lasting twice as long.

More about the Pokémon Go Holiday and New Year Events

Pokémon Go Thanksgiving Event 2016

The Pokémon Go Thanksgiving Event ran from November 23rd through November 30th. It offered Double XP and Stardust for catching, hatching, and evolving Pokémon.

More about the Pokémon Go Thanksgiving Event

Pokémon Go Lapras in Japan Event 2016

From November 11 to November 23, 2016, Pokémon Go made Lapras easier to find in the Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures of Japan. It was an attempt to help bring tourism back to the region following the earthquake earlier in the year.

皆さんにお知らせです。岩手県、宮城県、福島県の沿岸部でラプラスが出現しやすくなっていることが確認されました。この現象は11/23まで続くようです。東北の今を感じる旅に是非おでかけください！きっとPokémon GO以外でも素敵な発見がたくさんあると思います。 pic.twitter.com/1VPBngRU6v
— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) November 11, 2016

Rough translation:

Listen up everyone! It has been confirmed that Lapras is now easier to find in the coastal regions of Iwata, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures. The phenomenon will continue until November 23. Please go out and journey in Tohoku! There are many wonderful discoveries to be made beyond Pokémon Go.

Pokémon Go Halloween Event 2016

The Pokémon Go Halloween Event ran from October 26 through November 1. It offered double candy for catching, hatching, and transferring Pokémon, and cut the distance for walking Buddy Pokémon down to 1/4. Increased spawn rates were also offered for Zubat, Golbat, Drowzee, Hypno, Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Cubone, Marowak, Meowth, and Persian.

More about the Pokémon Go Halloween Event

What Pokémon Go events do you want to see?

If you were planning the next big Pokémon Go event, when would you have it and how would you handle it?

Pokemon Go

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