The Pokémon GO Festival of Lights is returning with exciting celebrations tailored exclusively for Trainers in India! This year’s event highlights cultural flair with the special return of Pikachu wearing a saree and Pikachu wearing a kurta.
If you are planning your gameplay for the upcoming November celebration, here is everything you need to know about dates, raids, wild spawns, research, and bonuses.
Festival of Lights 2026 Schedule and Overview
- Main Event Duration: Friday, November 6, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
- Timed Research Start: Sunday, November 1, at 6:00 a.m. local time.
- Region Exclusivity: Exclusive to Trainers located in India.
Festival of Lights 2026 event Raids and Wild Spawns
Raids
During the main event window, special event-themed Pokémon will feature prominently in raids: Pikachu wearing a saree and Pikachu wearing a kurta. Lucky Trainers might encounter a Shiny variant or a version featuring a Special Background!
Sparkle O’Clock Wild Spawns
The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild for five-minute intervals at 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.: Charmander, Pikachu wearing a saree (chance of Special Background), Pikachu wearing a kurta (chance of Special Background), Chinchou, Mareep, Camerupt, Litwick, Lampent, Morelull, and Tadbulb.
Increased Lure Module Encounters
Deploying Lure Modules during the Festival of Lights 2026 makes them much more effective at attracting event-themed Pokémon to your location. Affected Pokémon include: Charmander, Chinchou, Mareep, Camerupt, Litwick, Lampent, Morelull, and Tadbulb
Note: If you are lucky, you might encounter a Shiny variant of these featured Pokémon.
Festival of Lights 2026 Timed Research and Collection Challenges
Branched Timed Research: Starting early on Sunday, November 1, at 6:00 a.m., players can complete Branched Timed Research. Rewards include XP, Stardust, exclusive stickers featuring Pikachu wearing a saree or kurta, and guaranteed encounters with Pikachu wearing a saree or Pikachu wearing a kurta, both with a chance of having a Special Background or being Shiny.
Collection Challenges: Catch specific event-themed Pokémon during the weekend to complete Collection Challenges and earn bonus XP and Stardust.
Festival of Lights 2026 Bonuses and Special Features
To make the most of your gameplay, take advantage of these active perks:
- Triple Duration: Lure Modules will last for 3 times their normal duration.
- Exclusive Stickers: Spin PokéStops during the event to collect special stickers featuring Pikachu wearing a saree or Pikachu wearing a kurta.
- Glowing Pokémon: Some event-themed Pokémon will feature a glowing visual effect in-game.
Tips to Maximize Your Festival of Lights 2026 Gameplay
- Stock Up on Poké Balls and Lure Modules: Because Lure Modules last longer and attract more event-themed spawns, you will want a heavy inventory of Poké Balls before the 5-minute Sparkle O’Clock windows begin.
- Coordinate with Friends: Since regional variants like Saree and Kurta Pikachu are high-priority collector items, save up Stardust in advance so you can trade duplicates with friends for better IVs or shiny luck.
- Keep Incense Active: Even outside of the specific wild spawn hours, running Incense helps secure extra encounters with glowing event Pokémon and maximizes your catch count.
Safety and Community Reminder
Remain aware of their surroundings and strictly follow guidelines from local health authorities while playing. Events and schedules are subject to change, so be sure to opt into push notifications, subscribe to emails, and check the official website for the latest updates.
Get your Poké Balls ready, connect with your local community, and celebrate the Festival of Lights in style!
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