Pokemon Go August 2026 Events: Raid Bosses, Spotlight Hours, Pokemon Debuts, And More

August has arrived, marking the final month of Pokemon Go's Forever Forward season. The mobile game is closing the season out with a host of events and Pokemon debuts over the next few weeks, including the arrival of some big new monsters like Gigantamax Rillaboom and Mega Starmie.

On top of that, players have a few summery festivities to look forward to this month, including an Arctic Embers event and a week-long Water Festival. There will also be new Raid bosses and Spotlight Hours, as well as a big event to tie into the 2026 Pokemon World Championships later in August.

That's just a small glimpse of what's happening in the game this month. You can read more about Pokemon Go's August 2026 events below.

In This Article

August Raid Schedule

A variety of fan-favorite legendary and Mega Pokemon are returning to Raids in August.

Following Kyurem's departure on August 4, the legendary lake trio Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie will make another appearance in five-star Raids, each exclusive to a specific region of the world. Other legendaries like Groudon, Lunala, and the Regi trio will follow later in the month.

Mega Raids, meanwhile, will rotate between Mega-Evolved forms of Aggron, Blaziken, Garchomp, Swampert, and Gyarados, while Shadow Altered Forme Giratina will appear as a special Shadow Raid boss all month.

You can see August's full Raid schedule below:

Five-Star Raids

• Kyurem (July 29-August 4)
• Uxie [Asia-Pacific Region] (August 5-11)
• Mesprit [Europe, Middle East, Africa, India] (August 5-11)
• Azelf [Americas and Greenland] (August 5-11)
• Groudon (August 12-18)
• Lunala (August 19-25)
• Regirock (August 26-September 8)
• Regice (August 26-September 8)
• Registeel (August 26-September 8)

Mega Raids

• Mega Aggron (July 29-August 4)
• Mega Blaziken (August 5-11)
• Mega Garchomp (August 12-18)
• Mega Swampert (August 19-25)
• Mega Gyarados (August 26-September 8)

Shadow Raids

• Shadow Altered Forme Giratina (August 5-September 8)

Max Battles

• Dynamax Magmar (August 3-9)
• Dynamax Beldum (August 10-16)
• Dynamax Magikarp (August 17-23)
• Dynamax Hitmontop (August 24-30)
• Dynamax Eevee (August 31-September 6)

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August Spotlight Hours

Pokemon Go's Spotlight Hour events return once again in August.

Every Thursday evening from 6 to 7 PM local time, one species of Pokemon will appear more frequently in the wild. On top of that, a select bonus will be active during that same window, such as double XP or Stardust for catching Pokemon.

You can see August's full Spotlight Hour schedule below:

August 6

• Featured Pokemon: Delibird
• Bonus: 2x catch Stardust

August 13

• Featured Pokemon: Wurmple
• Bonus: 2x evolution XP

August 20

• Featured Pokemon: Magikarp
• Bonus: 2x catch XP

August 27

• Featured Pokemon: Mankey
• Bonus: 2x catch candy

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Gigantamax Rillaboom Max Battle Day

Pokemon Go is kicking the month off in a big way with a Gigantamax Rillaboom Max Battle Day on August 1.

From 2-5 PM local time, Gigantamax Rillaboom will appear at Power Spots as a six-star Max Battle boss. On top of that, a variety of bonuses will be active during the event hours. Power Spots will distribute eight times the usual amount of Max Particles, and the total number of Max Particles you can collect is being increased to 1,600. You can also make up to three Special Trades for the day, and you'll receive double the usual amount of Max Particles for exploring.

Bonuses

• Max Particle collection limit increased to 1,600
• All Power Spots will host Gigantamax Battles
• Power Spots will refresh more frequently
• Additional Power Spots will be active
• 8x Max Particles from Power Spots
• Make up to three Special Trades for the day
• Daily Remote Raid limit increased from 10 to 20 (July 31-August 1)
• 2x Max Particles from exploring
• 1/4 adventuring distance to receive Max Particles

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Summer Marathon: Arctic Embers

Pokemon Go's summer festivities continue with an Arctic Embers event from August 4-10.

Throughout the event, different fire- or ice-type Pokemon like Vulpix, Swinub, and Snover will appear in the wild, while Sizzlipede, Galarian Darumaka, and others will hatch more frequently from 5 km eggs.

Different bonuses will also be available as you level up your Go Pass. Reach rank 10 and you'll earn double XP for spinning a PokeStop, and eggs will hatch at half their usual distance after you've hit rank 20.

Featured Pokemon

Wild Encounters

• Vulpix
• Alolan Vulpix
• Growlithe
• Ponyta
• Swinub
• Slugma
• Snorunt
• Snover
• Vanillite

5 km Eggs

• Sneasel
• Darumaka
• Galarian Darumaka
• Sizzlipede
• Snom

Bonuses

Go Pass Tier 1 Bonus

• 2x XP for spinning a PokeStop
• Go Pass Deluxe: 3x XP for spinning a PokeStop

Go Pass Tier 2 Bonus

• 1/2 egg hatch distance
• Go Pass Deluxe: 1/4 egg hatch distance

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Fire And Ice Hatch Day

Before the Arctic Embers event wraps up, Pokemon Go will hold a Fire and Ice Hatch Day on August 8.

From 11 AM to 5 PM local time, Smoochum and Magby will hatch more frequently from 2k eggs, while Larvesta will hatch from 5 km eggs. A few bonuses will also be active during the event hours. Eggs will hatch at half the distance they normally require, and you'll earn double candy each time you hatch an egg.

Featured Pokemon

2 km Eggs

• Smoochum
• Magby

5 km Eggs

• Larvesta

Bonuses

• 2x candy from hatching eggs
• 1/2 egg hatch distance
• Increased chance of hatching shiny Smoochum and shiny Magby
• Increased chance of receiving 2 km eggs from spinning PokeStops

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Nickit Community Day

This month's Community Day takes place August 16 and stars the dark-type fox Pokemon Nickit.

From 2 to 5 PM local time, Nickit will appear in the wild more frequently than usual, making this a good chance to fill out your Pokedex and stock up on candy. Not only that, but you'll have increased odds of encountering a shiny Nickit or one that has a special background.

Like other Community Day Pokemon, Nickit's evolved form, Thievul, will also be able to learn a special event-exclusive attack. Each Nickit that you evolve before 9 PM local time will know the ice-type Charged Attack Icy Wind.

Finally, a few bonuses will be active during the event. You'll earn triple Stardust and double candy for catching Pokemon, and any Lure Modules or Incense that you use will last longer than usual. Trades will also cost half as much Stardust, and you'll be able to make up to two Special Trades for the day.

Bonuses

• 3x Stardust for catching Pokemon
• 2x candy for catching Pokemon
• 2x chance to get candy XL from catching Pokemon (players level 31 and up)
• Incense will last for three hours
• Lure Modules will last for one hour and attract the featured Pokemon
• One additional Special Trade can be made for the day
• Trades will cost 50 percent less Stardust

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Ultra Unlock: Water Festival

Pokemon Go has two bonus Ultra Unlock events lined up this month, the first of which is a Water Festival that runs from August 18-24.

Throughout the event, water-type Pokemon will appear in the wild and as Raid bosses more frequently than usual. You'll also have your first chance to encounter Arrokuda and Cramorant; the former will be available as a Field Research reward, while the latter will hatch from eggs.

Along with the featured Pokemon, different bonuses will be available each day of the Water Festival, and there will be new event-themed Research tasks to complete.

Featured Pokemon

Wild Encounters

• Psyduck
• Goldeen
• Mareanie
• Wimpod
• Feebas
• Clamperl
• Wiglett

One-Star Raids

• Curly Form Tatsugiri (Europe, Middle East, Africa)
• Droopy Form Tatsugiri (Americas)
• Stretchy Form Tatsugiri (Asia-Pacific region)
• Psyduck wearing a swim ring

Three-Star Raids

• Lapras wearing a scarf
• Hisuian Samurott
• Dondozo

Bonuses

Entire Event

• Rainy Lure Modules will attract Arrokuda
• Increased chance to encounter shiny Ducklett and shiny Dewpider

August 18-20

• 2x XP for catching Pokemon
• 3x Stardust for catching Pokemon

August 20-22

• 3x XP for catching Pokemon
• 4x Stardust for catching Pokemon

August 22-24

• 4x XP for catching Pokemon
• 5x Stardust for catching Pokemon

Go Pass Bonuses

• Tier 1: 2x candy for catching Pokemon
• Tier 2: 1/2 egg hatch distance

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Ultra Unlock: Starmie Super Mega Raid Day

Mega Starmie is making its Pokemon Go debut during a bonus Super Mega Raid Day on August 22.

The Mega-Evolved Pokemon will appear as a Raid boss from 11 AM to 5 PM local time, making this your first chance to challenge one and earn Starmie Mega Energy. On top of that, a new Timed Research will be available during the event, as will a variety of bonuses, including extra XP for completing a Raid and increased odds of encountering shiny Starmie.

Bonuses

• Additional 5,000 XP from all Raids
• Increased chance to get candy XL from Raids
• Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 20 (August 21-22)
• Receive up to six free Raid Passes from spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms
• Increased chance of encountering shiny Starmie in Super Mega Raids
• Starmie caught from Super Mega Raids will have Mega Level 1 unlocked

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Pokemon XP & 2026 Worlds

Pokemon Go is celebrating the 2026 Pokemon World Championships with a special event from August 25-30. More details will be announced later this month.