Pokemon Go July 2026 Events: Raids, Spotlight Hours, Go Fest, And More

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July is officially upon us, and it's shaping up to be a particularly big month for Pokemon Go. The mobile game is commemorating its tenth anniversary this month with a variety of events, including a Pikachu celebration and a new Timed Research questline for Professor Willow's birthday.

July also marks the second month of the game's Forever Forward season, with new Raid bosses and Spotlight Pokemon lined up over the next few weeks. Most significantly, the game is also holding its global Go Fest event this month, which will give players around the world their first chance to get Mewtwo's Mega-Evolved forms.

That's just the tip of the Bergmite. You can read more about all of July's biggest Pokemon Go events below.

In This Article

July Raid Schedule

A host of legendary and Mega Pokemon are returning to Raid Battles in July.

The legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres will appear in five-star Raids during the first half of the month, with Kyogre, Solgaleo, and Kyurem all slated to follow afterward. Mega Raids, meanwhile, will feature a handful of fan-favorites like Mega Lucario, Mega Sceptile, and Mega Salamence, and Shadow Palkia will appear throughout the month as a Shadow Raid boss.

You can see July's full Raid schedule below:

Five-Star Raids

Articuno (July 1-5; July 13-14)
Zapdos (July 1-5; July 13-14)
Moltres (July 1-5; July 13-14)
Kyogre (July 15-21)
Solgaleo (July 22-28)
Kyurem (July 29-August 4)

Mega Raids

Mega Lucario (July 1-5; July 13-14)
Mega Sceptile (July 15-21)
Mega Salamence (July 22-28)
Mega Aggron (July 29-August 4)

Shadow Raids

Shadow Palkia (July 1-August 4)

Max Battles

Dynamax Chansey (July 6-12)
Dynamax Deino (July 13-19)
Dynamax Trubbish (July 20-26)
Dynamax Feebas (July 27-August 2)

July Spotlight Hours

Pokemon Go's Spotlight Hour events make their return in July. This time, the events will run on Thursdays from 6-7 PM local time, but they'll otherwise work the same as before.

During the event hour, one particular species of Pokemon will appear in the wild more frequently, making this a good opportunity to fill out your Pokedex and stock up on candy. On top of that, you'll earn an extra bonus for completing certain tasks, such as double XP for catching or evolving Pokemon.

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

July 2

Featured Pokemon: Pidgey
Bonus: 2x XP for evolving Pokemon

July 16

Featured Pokemon: Zubat
Bonus: 2x XP for catching Pokemon

July 23

Featured Pokemon: Eevee
Bonus: 2x candy for catching Pokemon

July 30

Featured Pokemon: Bidoof
Bonus: 2x candy for transferring Pokemon

Sobble Community Day

The water-type lizard Sobble is taking center stage for July's Community Day, which runs on Saturday, July 4.

From 2-5 PM local time, Sobble will appear in the wild more frequently than usual, giving you plenty of opportunities to earn Sobble candy. On top of that, you'll have increased odds of encountering shiny Sobble or one that has a special background.

In addition to the increased spawns, Sobble's final form will be able to learn an exclusive move. Every Drizzile that you evolve into Inteleon before 9 PM local time will know the water-type Charged Attack Hydro Cannon. From July 4 onward, Inteleon will also be able to learn the Charged Attack Snipe Shot.

Finally, a variety of bonuses will be available during the event. Eggs that you place in Incubators will hatch at a quarter of the distance they typically require, and you'll earn double the usual amount of candy for catching Pokemon. Incense and Lure Modules will also last longer than usual, and trading Pokemon will require half as much Stardust.

Bonuses

1/4 egg hatch distance
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 (excluding Daily Adventure Incense)
Lure Modules will last for one hour and attract the featured Pokemon
Players can make one additional Special Trade
Trades will cost 50 percent less Stardust

10th Anniversary Party

Pokemon Go is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a special event from July 4-6.

As part of the festivities, a special Gimmighoul holding a tenth anniversary coin will make its debut in the game. You'll have a chance to encounter the Pokemon when you use Golden Lure Modules or a Coin Bag during the event.

Alongside the special Gimmighoul, party hat-wearing variants of Pikachu, Eevee, Wurmple, and other Pokemon will appear in the wild. Event-themed Research tasks will also be available, as will a host of bonuses, including quadruple XP and Stardust for catching Pokemon.

Featured Pokemon

Wild Encounters

Pikachu wearing a cake hat
Eevee wearing a party hat
Wurmple wearing a party hat

Golden Lure Module Encounters

Gimmighoul holding a 10th anniversary coin

Bonuses

4x XP for catching Pokemon
4x Stardust for catching Pokemon
Event-themed Pokemon appearing in the wild are more likely to be shiny
Gimmighoul with a 10th anniversary coin may have a special background
Chance to encounter shiny Gimmighoul when you use a Coin Bag

Road Of Legends

In the lead up to this month's Pokemon Go Fest global celebration, the mobile game is holding a Road of Legends event from July 6-10.

As part of the event, nearly every legendary Pokemon to ever appear in Pokemon Go thus far will return to Raids. You'll encounter a different selection of them each day of the event, and rare Pokemon will be more likely to hatch from eggs.

A few bonuses will also be available throughout the event. Pokemon Go is temporarily uncapping how many Remote Raid Passes you can hold, making it easier to join battles remotely. Premiere Balls will also be more effective at catching Raid bosses, and Party Power will charge up faster in the midst of a Raid.

Featured Pokemon

Eggs

2 km

Weedle
Pidgey
Abra
Gastly
Pinsir
Aerodactyl
Mareep
Larvitar
Treecko
Torchic
Mudkip
Ralts
Bagon
Beldum
Gible
Riolu
Snover
Audino
Larvesta

5 km

Bulbasaur wearing a Pikachu visor
Charmander wearing a Pikachu visor
Squirtle wearing a Pikachu visor
Heracross
Mime Jr.
Larvesta

10 km

Tropius
Axew
Bouffalant
Larvesta
Goomy
Jangmo-o
Toxel
Frigibax

Raids

July 6

Five-Star Raids

Articuno
Zapdos
Moltres
Raikou
Entei
Suicune
Lugia
Ho-Oh
Regirock
Regice
Registeel
Latias
Latios
Kyogre
Groudon
Rayquaza
Attack Forme Deoxys
Defense Forme Deoxys
Normal Forme Deoxys
Speed Forme Deoxys
Uxie (Asia-Pacific region)
Mesprit (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India)
Azelf (Americas and Greenland)
Dialga
Origin Forme Dialga
Palkia
Origin Forme Palkia
Heatran
Regigigas
Altered Forme Giratina
Origin Forme Giratina
Cresselia
Darkrai
Cobalion
Terrakion
Virizion
Incarnate Forme Tornadus
Therian Forme Tornadus
Incarnate Forme Thundurus
Therian Forme Thundurus
Incarnate Forme Landorus
Therian Forme Landorus
Reshiram
Zekrom
Kyurem
Genesect
Burn Drive Genesect
Chill Drive Genesect
Douse Drive Genesect
Shock Drive Genesect
Xerneas
Yveltal
Tapu Koko
Tapu Lele
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Fini
Solgaleo
Lunala
Nihilego
Buzzwole (Americas and Greenland)
Pheromosa (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India)
Xurkitree (Asia-Pacific region)
Celesteela (Southern Hemisphere)
Kartana (Northern Hemisphere)
Guzzlord
Necrozma
Stakataka (Eastern Hemisphere)
Blacephalon (Western Hemisphere)
Zacian
Zamazenta
Regieleki
Regidrago
Incarnate Forme Enamorus
Therian Forme Enamorus

Mega Raids

Mega Salamence

July 7

Five-Star Raids

White Kyurem
Zekrom
Dawn Wings Necrozma

Mega Raids

Mega Tyranitar

July 8

Five-Star Raids

Black Kyurem
Reshiram
Dusk Mane Necrozma

Mega Raids

Mega Gardevoir

July 9

Five-Star Raids

Crowned Sword Zacian
Crowned Shield Zamazenta

Mega Raids

Mega Gengar

July 10

Five-Star Raids

Origin Forme Dialga
Origin Forme Palkia

Primal Raids

Primal Kyogre
Primal Groudon

Bonuses

No Remote Raid Pass limit from July 6-12
Players level 31 and above are guaranteed to get candy XL for trading Pokemon
Receive special stickers from PokeStops and gifts
Premiere Balls will be more effective at catching Pokemon after Raids
Party Power charges faster in Raids
Receive up to two free Raid Passes from spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms

Go Fest 2026 Global

The global Go Fest celebration takes place July 11-12.

Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration

The anniversary festivities continue with a special Pikachu Celebration from July 13-20.

The event will be divided into three separate "celebrations," each of which will feature different costumed Pikachu. The celebration schedule is as follows:

Celebration 1: July 13-15
Celebration 2: July 15-18
Celebration 3: July 18-20

In addition to wild spawns and Field Research encounters, different forms of Pikachu will appear in one-star Raids throughout the event, and a few bonuses will unlock as you level up your Go Pass.

Featured Pokemon

Wild Encounters

Pikachu wearing a Tricks and Treats costume
Pikachu wearing a Winter Carnival outfit
Pikachu with summer flair

One-Star Raids

Dapper Pikachu with red accents
Dapper Pikachu with yellow accents
Dapper Pikachu with blue accents
Pikachu wearing a safari hat
Pikachu wearing a varsity jacket
Pikachu wearing an amethyst crown
World Championships 2022 Pikachu
World Championships 2023 Pikachu
World Championships 2024 Pikachu

Bonuses

Pikachu will appear more frequently in the wild and be easier to catch

Go Pass Milestone Bonuses

Tier 1 - Rank 10

2x candy for transferring Pokemon
Increased chance to receive candy XL for transferring Pokemon (players level 31 and up)
Go Pass Deluxe: 3x candy for transferring Pokemon
Go Pass Deluxe: Even greater chance to receive candy XL for transferring Pokemon (players level 31 and up)

Tier 2 - Rank 20

2x Stardust for catching Pokemon
Go Pass Deluxe: 3x Stardust for catching Pokemon

Raichu Super Mega Raid Day

Two more Mega-Evolved Pokemon are making their debut during Pokemon Go's next Super Mega Raid Day, which takes place July 18.

Both Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y will appear in Gyms as Super Mega Raid bosses from 2-5 PM local time. Coinciding with the Raids, an event-themed Timed Research quest will also be available, which will distribute various rewards including a chance to catch Steelix–helpful against the new Mega Raid bosses.

Finally, a few bonuses will be active throughout the event. The number of Remote Raid Passes you can hold is being bumped up to 20, and you'll be able to receive up to six free standard Raid Passes when you spin the Photo Disc at Gyms. You'll also have an increased chance of encountering a shiny Raichu after you defeat a Raid boss.

Bonuses

Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 20 (July 17-18)
Get up to six free Raid Passes by spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms
Raichu caught from Super Mega Raids will have Mega Level 1 unlocked
Increased chance to encounter shiny Raichu from Super Mega Raids

Willow's Birthday Research

Pokemon Go's resident professor is also holding a birthday celebration from July 21-27.

Log in to the game at the beginning of the event to receive a free Timed Research quest that will lead to an encounter with a special Pikachu wearing Professor Willow's outfit. This Pikachu will also be available through Field Research tasks and in Raids, giving you plenty of chances to catch one.

The Timed Research expires July 27, so you must complete all of the tasks before then to receive the rewards.

Ozone Ascent

Pokemon Go is closing out the month with another Timed Research event from July 25-26.

Log in to the game during that time to receive a free Timed Research quest centering around Rayquaza. As you complete the tasks, you'll unlock various rewards, including an encounter with the legendary dragon Pokemon and a Meteorite, which is required to teach Rayquaza Dragon Ascent and enable it to Mega Evolve.

Much like Willow's Birthday Celebration, this Timed Research will only be available until July 26, giving you only a brief window of time to complete the tasks and unlock all the rewards.

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