The Pokémon Horizons Series celebration event returns to Pokémon GO, bringing an incredible wave of themed content, unique costume debuts, exciting raids, and a brand-new progression track. The previous celebration event in Pokémon GO featured the debut of Tinkatink and its Evolutions.
Running from Wednesday, September 16, at 10:00 a.m. to Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time, this upcoming week-long celebration offers plenty of reasons for both casual players and hardcore collectors to jump back into the game.
READ ALSO: The Complete List of September 2026 Pokémon GO Events
Pokémon Horizons: The Series
You can watch the Pokémon Horizons: Season 3 titled “Rising Hope” on Netflix now. For viewers in the US, see more information on the new animated series. Viewers in the UK can watch it on BBC iPlayer. Please see more information on the new animated series, please see.
Pokémon Horizons event in Pokémon GO: The Big Debut
The star of the show is a brand-new costume debut inspired by the hit animated series. During the event, Trainers will have opportunities to find Charmander wearing Friede’s goggles in the wild, through Field Research tasks, attracted to active regular Lure Modules, or via the event GO Pass.
If you manage to catch a few, you’ll want to save up your candy for evolutions:
25 Charmander Candy evolves Charmander wearing Friede’s goggles into Charmeleon wearing Friede’s goggles.
100 Charmander Candy evolves Charmeleon wearing Friede’s goggles into Charizard wearing Friede’s goggles.
If you are lucky, you might even encounter a Shiny variant or one featuring a Special Background.
Pokémon Horizons event Wild Encounters
Aside from the costumed Charmander, you can expect Pikachu wearing Cap’s hat to make appearances. To keep things fresh, the wild spawns will rotate depending on the time of day:
Daytime Spawns (5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.): Look out for Fidough, Wattrel, and more, plus potentially a rare encounter with Chansey.
Nighttime Spawns (5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.): Expect shifts toward Eevee, Hatenna, and more, plus potentially Rockruff.
Keep an eye out for Shiny versions of these Pokémon during your daily walks! Additionally, Kecleon will have an increased spawn rate at PokéStops throughout the event duration.
Raid Lineups
If you love battling in raids to secure high IVs, shinies, or special backgrounds, the raid tiers have a lot to offer:
One-Star Raids: Pikachu wearing Cap’s hat
Three-Star Raids: Charizard wearing Friede’s goggles, Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval.
GO Pass: Collaboration Celebration Event
Progression tracks add an extra layer of engagement, and the GO Pass is returning for this celebration. Automatically unlocked for all players at no cost on September 16, at 10:00 a.m. local time, the track allows you to collect GO Points, rank up, and earn useful items like encounters with event-themed Pokémon, XP, and Lure Modules.
For players looking for extra rewards and faster progression, paid upgrade options are available:
GO Pass Deluxe ($4.99 USD): Unlocks upgraded rewards, extra Pokémon encounters, Premium Battle Passes, and Rare Candy XL.
GO Pass Deluxe + 6 Ranks ($6.99 USD): Automatically boosts you forward by 6 ranks right out of the gate.
Web Store Exclusives: Purchasing your upgrades directly via the Pokémon GO Web Store grants bonus items bundled as a gift with purchase, ranging from Ultra Balls and Max Revives to Max Potions and extra Premium Battle Passes.
You can collect GO Points and rank up to get additional rewards through Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Pokémon Horizons event Bonuses
As you rank up your event GO Pass, you will unlock tiered milestones that grant powerful passive bonuses:
Tier 1 (Rank 1+): 2× Candy for catching Pokémon (boosted to 3× Candy if you have the GO Pass Deluxe).
Tier 2 (Rank 10+): Regular Lure Modules last for a full hour and have a chance to attract featured event Pokémon.
Tier 3 (Rank 20+): Additional Stardust drops whenever you catch Hatenna and Wattrel.
PokéStop Showcases
Be on the lookout for Showcases at different PokéStops during the event, where each day will feature a new category!
Surprise Encounters
Smile! You might have a surprise encounter with characters and Pokémon seen in Pokémon Horizons: The Series when you take a snapshot during the event!
Have fun out there, stay aware of your surroundings, and good luck hunting down that Shiny goggles-wearing Charmander!
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