Pokémon GO Fest 2021 will have a music festival theme, says developer Niantic. The event aims to celebrate 25 years of Pokémon and the fifth anniversary of Pokémon GO, so what better way to kick things off than with the ultimate summer experience – a massive outdoor concert!
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 will host hourly changing “habitats,” an encounter with a mythical Pokémon, and loads of new costumed Pokémon for players to add to their collections. Pokémon themed around music will also be appearing more frequently in the wild.
The faces of the event are two new Pikachu costumes – Pikachu Rock Star and Pikachu Pop Star respectively. However, all the good stuff from last year’s Pokémon GO Fest is returning, too: we’ve got global challenges, collection challenges, and special research to keep you busy over the course of the weekend. Don’t worry if it all gets overwhelming though – there’s a lot going on, and we’re here to help you remember everything. Need to know the Pokémon GO Fest 2021 dates? Which new shinies will appear? What costume to choose for your Pikachu? We’ve got you covered.
Here’s everything you need to know about Pokémon GO Fest 2021:
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 dates
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 will happen on July 17 and July 18.
Like last year, this is an in-game event and there is no real-world location that you need to travel to in order to attend. Simply buy your ticket from the shop, and you’re good to go!
How to buy a Pokémon GO Fest 2021 ticket, price, and more
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 tickets cost $4.99. This is being billed as a special price to celebrate the game’s fifth anniversary – five years, five dollars, get it? But luckily for you, that means entrance to the 2021 event is $10 cheaper than last year, and promises just as much fun.
To buy a Pokémon GO Fest 2021 ticket, simply head to the Pokémon GO Shop. Tap the big Pokémon GO Fest image, click ‘buy,’ and the ticket will appear in your item bag. Nearer the event, you’ll receive a GO Fest 2021 medal, and opening the app during the weekend of July 17-18 will allow you to access the event and complete the Special Research story, which revolves around Professor Willow creating a music festival.
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 shiny Pokémon
These are the new shiny Pokémon confirmed for Pokémon GO Fest 2021:
- Audino
- Chimecho
- Sawk
- Throh
- Tympole
- Unown F
- Unown G
- Whismur
Pokémon in the wild and attracted to Incense during Pokémon GO Fest 2021 also have an increased chance of being shiny. This shiny chance will be higher on Saturday than on Sunday.
We don’t currently know whether costumed Pokémon will have a chance to be shiny, but we will update this guide as soon as we know for sure.
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 costumed Pokémon
These are the Pokémon that will have limited edition costumes during Pokémon GO Fest 2021:
- Galarian Ponyta
- Galarian Zigzagoon
- Gardevoir
- Flygon
- Pikachu
There will be two costumed Pikachus to choose from: Rock Star and Pop Star.
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 mythical Pokémon
The mythical Pokémon Meloetta will be available as a part of Pokémon GO Fest 2021, and will be available through the Pokémon GO Fest 2021 Special Research.
From the colours of the event to Meloetta’s classification as the Melody Pokémon, Niantic has themed the whole event around the musical mythic.
The official blog also says, “after you complete the Special Research, take a snapshot for a surprise.” Could this mean that taking a Snapshot of Meloetta is a way to change its forme? It seems unlikely, but we’ll be very excited if Aria Forme Meloetta debuts at Pokémon GO Fest 2021 as well as its regular counterpart.
The most recent teaser for Meloetta – its silhouette posted to Twitter – also includes some familiar sparkles, potentially teasing that a shiny version of Meloetta could make its way to centre stage at GO Fest this year.
🎶🎵🎶🎤 #PokemonGOFest2021 pic.twitter.com/SMnz6a49wB
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) June 10, 2021
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 Day One: Catch
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 Day One: Catch takes place on Saturday July 17, from 10:00 to 18:00 local time. The day features four rotating habitat hours: Jungle, Desert Mountain, Ocean Beach, and Cave. Here’s what Pokémon will spawn more frequently during each hour:
| Habitat | Wild Pokémon spawns | Incense spawns |
| Jungle | Scyther, Aipom, Froakie | Unown F, Unown G, Ludicolo, Chatot, Leafeon, Serperior |
| Desert Mountain | Skarmory, Shieldon, Hippopotas | Flareon, Unown F, Unown G, Tyranitar, Flygon, Throh |
| Ocean Beach | Dratini, Swablu, Alomomola | Gyarados, Vaporeon, Azumarill, Unown F, Unown G, Sawk |
| Cave | Roggenrola, Galarian Stunfisk, Deino | Umbreon, Unown F, Unown G, Gardevoir, Absol, Galvantula |
Chimecho, Kricketot, Audino, and a special costumed Pikachu will spawn throughout the day. Audino and Chimecho both reward bonus Stardust for catching them, so stock up those Star Pieces in preparation!
Hitmontop, Cranidos, Deino, as well as costumed Galarian Ponyta and Galarian Zigzagoon, will be appearing in raids on Pokémon GO Fest 2021: Day One.
Don’t forget, every Pokémon has a higher chance of being shiny, too.
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 Day Two: Raid
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 Day Two: Raid takes place on Sunday July 18, from 10:00 to 18:00 local time. Fans may be disappointed to hear that there is a whole day dedicated to raiding, but there are a host of incentives and opportunities to grab free raid passes to help you on your way.
- Earn an extra 10,000 XP in raid rewards when you complete a Raid Battle
- Spin Gym Photo Discs to earn up to 10 Raid Passes. These can be used for in-person raids
- Complete Timed Research to earn up to eight Remote Raid Passes. These can be used to join a raid from anywhere
- Pick up a free event bundle containing three Remote Raid Passes
Niantic hasn’t revealed which Pokémon will be appearing in raids just yet, but promises some old favourites.
All Pokémon from day one will also be appearing more frequently throughout day two.
Over both days of the event, Lure Modules will last for three hours, Pokémon GO eggs will take half the usual distance to hatch, and exclusive Field Research tasks will be available to complete. Furthermore, turn that volume up because producer and Pokémon legend Junichi Masuda has created special music just for Pokémon GO Fest 2021.
Finally, Igglybuff, Chingling, Audino, and more will be hatching from 7km eggs over the weekend, and there will be a surprise encounter when you Snapshot a Pokémon.
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 Special Research
You have no time limit to complete the Pokémon GO Fest 2021 Special Research, but you must log in during the event hours to activate it.
The exclusive Special Research sees players help Professor Willow to organise a music festival. It appears that Niantic may have implemented branching quests that force you between challenges and rewards, but exactly how this will happen remains to be seen.
Pokémon GO Fest 2021’s mythical Pokémon will be available as a part of the Special Research.
Pokémon GO Fest Sponsored Gift
The official Pokémon GO blog says that, “trainers using Android devices on Saturday, July 17th, will be eligible for an exclusive Sponsored Gift to help power their Pokémon GO Fest experience.” We don’t know what this gift could be, but we’re investigating.
That’s everything we know about Pokémon GO Fest 2021, and we can’t wait to kickstart summer with some Pokémon vibes!