Promo Image for Pokemon GO's Anniversary

Wow! It’s already been five years? Happy fifth anniversary to Pokémon GO! The original launch felt like it was just last Summer.

Official Announcement

To commemorate this huge milestone, Pokémon GO will be running an anniversary event!

This event will be bringing back Flying Pikachu, but this time with a 5-shaped balloon! There will even be a chance to get a Shiny Darumaka!

Here is a full list of Pokémon GO Anniversary event features:

  • Darumaka and Flying Pikachu with a 5-shaped balloon will be appearing more frequently in the wild! If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny Darumaka!
  • Darumaka, Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, and Flying Pikachu with a 5-shaped balloon will be appearing in one-star raids.
  • Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie will be appearing around PokéStops with active Lure Modules and after you complete Field Research. You can also encounter some of these first-partner Pokémon in the wild, including Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott.
  • You’ll receive daily bonus Field Research tasks that lead to encounters with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie.
  • Complete the Collection Challenge for this event for a reward encounter with Flying Pikachu with a 5-shaped balloon, as well as Rare Candy and a massive amount of Poké Balls!
  • Remember the in-game fireworks from Pokémon GO Fest last year? They’re returning this year to the map in celebration of our five years!
  • While you’re looking out for fireworks during the fifth-anniversary celebration, check out the new in-game sky, too! That’s right—the previously announced real-time sky mechanic and additional Pokédex classifications will be available to everyone in the coming days.You can also learn more about the Pokédex classifications in this help center article here.
  • If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny Meltan when you activate the Mystery Box during the fifth-anniversary celebration!
  • The Jump-Start Special Research will be available during this time for any Trainers who missed out on it during last year’s anniversary celebration, so be sure to open the app during this period to claim it. This Special Research is designed to help you catch up with other Trainers, with a ton of Stardust and XP rewards, as well as some exciting Pokémon encounters.
  • You can get fifth-anniversary Gift stickers when you spin PokéStops and open Gifts. You can also pick them up in the shop.
  • You’ll be able to expand your Item Bag up to 3,500 from Monday, July 5, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7)! If you need more space in your Item Bag, you can get Item Bag upgrades in the shop.
  • The Special Box, Ultra Box, and Adventure Box will contain different items starting on Monday, July 5, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7).

The five-year anniversary event will being July 6th at 10am, and last until July 15th 8pm local time.

There are also bonuses for lure modules. They will now last one hour for the duration of the event, including Glacial, Magnetic, Mossy and Rainy Lures.

The Pokémon GO team asks you to think about your favourite memories and share it on social media with the #PokemonGO5YearAnniversary tag!

So the anniversary event will end just before the new 2021 GO Fest event starts. Which you can read more about here.

Pokémon GO Fest 2021 Promotional Artwork
GO Fest 2021 Art

Coincidentally, Niantic’s other title Harry Potter: Wizards Unite also celebrated its anniversary last month. Here’s to a bright future for both games!

You can check out the official announcement here. If you want, you should read our other augmented reality gaming articles!

By Camellia Hao Ren

Camellia Hao Ren is an Australian journalist and editor. When they aren't writing, they are usually playing games or reading.

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