Summer is right around the corner, which means that Pokemon GO's biggest event of the year is nearly here. Last year set a new precedent for GO Fest, with the first all virtual event. Rather than requiring participants travel to a specific city, anyone in the world was able to purchase a ticket and participate from their hometowns. 2021's event will take a similar approach and offer one ticket for two days of exciting features, bonuses, and rewards.
GO Fest 2021 is music themed and each day is going to be jam-packed with activities. There are already a ton of details about the biggest Pokemon GO event of 2021 out in the open, so it's a good time to break down everything we know and help players determine whether the event is worth the price of entry (which is actually discounted this year!).
Keep in mind that GO Fest 2021 is still a little under two months away, so there will likely be a lot of additional information arriving closer to launch that players will want to take into consideration. Either way, it's never too early to start planning ahead...
GO Fest 2021 Dates
Pokemon GO Fest 2021, happening on July 17 and 18
Pokemon GO Fest 2021 will take place over two days, with each day providing a unique experience. You’ll be able to participate in both days of the event with one ticket.
What is the cost?
It’s been five whole years of Pokemon GO, and we couldn’t have done it without all of you. To celebrate, ticket prices will be reduced from USD $14.99 to $5!
Pokemon GO Fest Day 1 Features: Catch! (For Everyone)
This year will feature four themed habitat hours—Jungle, Desert Mountain, Ocean Beach, and Cave—rotating throughout the event. During each habitat hour, certain Pokémon will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
The Jungle habitat will feature Pokémon such as Scyther, Aipom, Froakie, and more.
The Desert Mountain habitat will feature Pokémon such as Skarmory, Shieldon, Hippopotas, and more.
The Ocean Beach habitat will feature Pokémon such as Dratini, Swablu, Alomomola, and more.
The Cave habitat will feature Pokémon such as Roggenrola, Galarian Stunfisk, Deino, and more.
Raids on Saturday will feature Pokémon such as Hitmontop, Cranidos, and Deino—plus, Galarian Ponyta and Galarian Zigzagoon wearing special costumes will be appearing in raids!
Pokemon related to music—such as Chimecho, Kricketot, Audino, and a special costumed Pikachu—will be appearing in the wild throughout the day.
Shiny Whismur, Chimecho, Audino, and Tympole will be making their Pokemon GO debut during the event. If you’re lucky, you may encounter one!
Pokemon GO Fest Day 2 Features: Catch! (For Ticketholders)
Pokémon GO Fest 2021 is a music festival, and you’re the show director! Help Professor Willow and the team leaders put on an incredible concert celebration by choosing between certain Pokémon to join the festivities. Complete this Special Research for special rewards, including an encounter with a Mythical Pokémon, a shirt avatar item, and an exclusive avatar pose! After you complete the Special Research, take a snapshot for a surprise!
Pikachu Rock Star or Pikachu Pop Star—your choice will determine the in-game music that will play for you during the event. The Pokémon music producer Junichi Masuda has produced brand-new tracks just for Pokémon GO Fest 2021, including a rock-and-rolling track for Pikachu Rock Star fans, a high-energy electro-pop song for Pikachu Pop Star stans, and more!
You’ll also get to fill out the rest of your musical group! Will you pick Galarian Ponyta or Galarian Zigzagoon? Gardevoir or Flygon? All these Pokémon will be dressed to impress in special event costumes!
The Global Challenge Arena is back this year. On Saturday, ticket holders will work together to complete a collaborative challenge each hour. If they complete the challenge in time, they’ll earn a bonus for the remainder of the hour. You can check the Today View to keep track of global progress!
You’ll be able to complete four Collection Challenges, each themed after a habitat hour. During each habitat hour, certain Pokémon will be attracted to Incense.
Jungle: Unown F, Unown G, Ludicolo, Chatot, Leafeon, and Serperior.
Desert Mountain: Flareon, Unown F, Unown G, Tyranitar, Flygon, and Throh.
Ocean Beach: Gyarados, Vaporeon, Azumarill, Unown F, Unown G, and Sawk.
Cave: Umbreon, Unown F, Unown G, Gardevoir, Absol, and Galvantula.
During event hours, Pokémon appearing in the wild and attracted to Incense will have an increased chance of being Shiny! It will be easier to discover Shiny Pokémon (in the wild and those attracted by Incense) on Saturday than on Sunday.
Shiny Unown F, Shiny Throh, and Shiny Sawk will be making their Pokémon GO debut during the event!
Pokemon GO Fest Day 2 Features: Raid! (For Everyone)
On Sunday, July 18, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, all Trainers will enjoy the following.
Sunday’s gameplay will be focused on raids, and some of your favorites will be returning for this epic celebration! Stay tuned for more info.
Miss any Pokémon on the first day of the event? Don’t worry! All Pokémon appearing more frequently in the wild on Saturday will be appearing again on Sunday during event hours.
Pokemon GO Fest Day 2 Features: Raid! (For Ticketholders)
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! This will be available in the shop on Sunday, July 18, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.
All Pokémon attracted to Incense from Saturday will be attracted to Incense during event hours on Sunday.
Additional Bonuses for Both Days (For Everyone)
All Trainers can expect both event days to feature the following.
Trainer photos will be featured in the Today View Share your photos with #PokemonGOFest2021 for a chance to see them featured during the event.
All Lure Modules activated during event hours will last for three hours
Special music created by Pokémon music producer Junichi Masuda will be playing in the app throughout the event.
1/2 Hatch Distance when Eggs are placed in an Incubator during event hours.
Pokémon hatching from 7 km eggs include Igglybuff, Chingling, Audino, and more.
Event-exclusive Field Research tasks, special on-map visual effects, and more!
Additional Bonuses for Both Days (For Ticketholders)
Open Gifts or spin PokéStops to get special event stickers.
Take snapshots on both event days for a surprise!
Unown F and Unown G will be attracted to Incense throughout the event. If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!
Phew. That's a ton to soak in, but it sounds like there is a lot of value built into this event whether trainers are opting to purchase the ticket or not. There's still a lot of time to make the decision, so keep an eye out for more details and be sure to carefully review all of the bonuses and features for each category to help weigh the pros and cons.
In the coming weeks, players should continue to learn more about what is coming this summer to follow the epic spring Season of Legends. Be sure to check back in the near future for more Pokemon GO strategy guides, news, and updates. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!
Pokemon GO is available on Android and iOS.