Can you believe it’s been six years since Pokémon GO was officially released and took the world by storm? That’s six years of catching Pokémon, battling, trading, playing on the go or at home, and more. To celebrate this milestone, Niantic is hosting another anniversary event. Since this year it’s the 6th anniversary, they’re using that number as part of this year’s theme. Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard fans, this one is for you! Each of these Pokémon will be donning party hats during this event and Pikachu will join in on the fun with its own celebratory hat. Check out everything that’s happening for this year’s Pokémon GO Anniversary Event with our guide below:
Pokémon GO’s Season of GO – 6th Anniversary Event
Begins: Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 at 10 a.m. your local time.
Ends: Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 8 p.m. your local time.
Pokémon debuts – Costumed Pikachu, Costumed Charmeleon, and Costumed Charizard
Happy 6th anniversary, Pokémon GO! Since it’s the 6th anniversary, Niantic is going with a 6-number theme. Who is sixth in the Pokédex? Why that’s Charizard! To celebrate, Party Hat Charmander can now finally be evolved into Party Hat Charmeleon and Party Hat Charizard. These two new additions will be appearing during the event, along with the return of Party Hat Charmander. That’s not all – as it wouldn’t be an anniversary event with a Costumed Pikachu. This time, Pikachu is sporting a Cake-shaped hat (and referred to as a Cake Costume Pikachu).
Note: The Cake Costume Pikachu, Party Hat Charmeleon, and Party Hat Charizard will be referred to as Costumed Pikachu, Costumed Charmeleon, and Costumed Charizard for the rest of the guide. Standard versions of these Pokémon, as well as the standard Charmander and Party Hat Charmander, will be noted throughout the guide as well.
Ultra Unlock Bonuses – Pansear, Unown E, and Wash Rotom
The Global Challenge issued during Pokémon GO Fest Berlin was met, which means there are some Ultra Unlock bonuses available for this event. They include:
- Pansear* will be escaping its Africa/Europe/Middle-East region exclusivity during the anniversary event! You’ll find them in the wild and in Raids!
- Unown E* is back and can be found in Raid battles around the world!
- Wash Rotom returns too! This washing machine version of Rotom will be available via an event-exclusive Timed Research. You can find more information in the Timed Research section of this guide.
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Event Bonuses
- Adventure Box (limit 1, free): 6 Ultra Balls, 6 Star Pieces, 6 Max Revives, and 6 Hyper Potions
- Certain bonuses will be available during the GO Battle Weekend.
Wild Encounters
- The following Pokémon will be appearing in the wild: Bulbasaur*, Costumed Charmander*, Squirtle*, Costumed Pikachu*, Machop*, Ledyba*, Ralts*, Buneary*, Pansear*, Venipede, Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie, Bunnelby*, Litleo*, and Pikipek.
- If you’re lucky, you might encounter the following Pokémon: Gabite, Clauncher, and Helioptile.
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Raids
The following Pokémon will be appearing in Raids:
- One-Star Raids: Costumed Pikachu*, Dratini*, Unown E*, and Pansear*.
- Three-Star Raids: Venusaur*, Costumed Charizard*, Blastoise*, Tyranitar, and Metagross.
- Five-Star Raids: Articuno* and Zapdos* (See Additional Notes).
- Mega Raids: Mega Charizard X* and Mega Charizard Y* (see Aditional Notes).
Additional Notes:
- Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
- Articuno* and Zapdos* will be available during different parts of the event:
- From Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 at 10 a.m. to Thursday, July 7th, 2022 at 10 a.m. your local time, Articuno* will be available.
- From Thursday, July 7th, 2022 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 10 a.m. your local time, Zapdos* will be available.
- Zapdos* will continue to be available until Thursday, July 12th, 2022 at 10 a.m. your local time.
- Mega Charizard X* and Y* will be available during different parts of the event:
- From Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 at 10 a.m. to Thursday, July 7th, 2022 at 10 a.m. your local time, Mega Charizard X* will be available.
- From Thursday, July 7th, 2022 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 10 a.m. your local time, Mega Charizard Y* will be available.
- Mega Charizard Y* will continue to be available until Thursday, July 12th, 2022 at 10 a.m. your local time.
Field Research Tasks
New event-exclusive Field Research Tasks will be available and the rewards include encounters with Bulbasaur*, Charmander* (standard, no costume), Squirtle*, Chikorita*, Cyndaquil*, Totodile*, Treecko*, Torchic*, Mudkip*, Turtwig*, Chimchar*, Piplup*, Snivy*, Tepig*, Oshawott*, Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie, Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. These Field Research Tasks can be found when spinning PokéStops (and acquired if you have an open slot in your Field Research menu) when the event is active.
- Task: Catch 6 Pokémon
- Reward: 6 Great Balls
- Task: Catch 6 different species of Pokémon
- Reward: Treecko* OR Torchic* OR Mudkip* Encounter
- Task: Use 6 Berries to help catch Pokémon
- Reward: Chikorita* OR Cyndaquil* OR Totodile* Encounter
- Task: Make 6 Nice Throws
- Reward: 25 Venusaur Mega Energy, OR 25 Charizard Mega Energy, OR 25 Blastoise Mega Energy
- Task: Make 6 Curveball Throws
- Reward: Snivy* OR Tepig* OR Oshawott* Encounter
- Task: Take 6 snapshots of Wild Pokémon
- Reward: Rowlet OR Litten OR and Popplio Encounter
- Task: Earn 6 hearts with your Buddy
- Reward: Turtwig* OR Chimchar* OR Piplup* Encounter
- Task: Spin 6 PokéStops or Gyms
- Reward: Bulbasaur* OR Charmander* (standard, no costume) OR Squirtle* Encounter
- Task: Send 6 gifts and add a sticker to each
- Reward: Chespin OR Fennekin OR Froakie Encounter
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Timed Research
There will be an event-exclusive Timed Research focused on catching Water Rotom. Trainers who complete the Timed Research will be rewarded with a Wash Rotom Encounter and more!
| Anniversary Event Research | |
|---|---|
| Step 1/6 | Reward |
| Catch 15 Pokémon | 15 Poké Balls |
| Catch 5 different species of Pokémon | 10 Great Balls |
| Make 5 Nice Throws | 5 Ultra Balls |
| Make 3 Great Throws | 500 XP |
| Make 5 Curveball Throws | Foongus Encounter |
| Use 10 Berries to help catch Pokémon | 500 Stardust |
| Completion Rewards | Costumed Pikachu Encounter and 1 Poffin |
| Step 2/6 | Reward |
| Play with your Buddy | 5 Razz Berries |
| Give your Buddy a treat | 5 Nanab Berries |
| Take a snapshot of your Buddy | 5 Pinap Berries |
| Battle another Trainer with your Buddy Pokémon while it's adventuring with you | 500 XP |
| Earn 5 hearts with your Buddy | Eevee Encounter |
| Earn a Candy exploring with your Buddy | 500 Stardust |
| Completion Rewards | Costumed Charmander Encounter and 2,500 Stardust |
| Step 3/6 | Reward |
| Take 5 snapshots of Wild Pokémon | 5 Potions |
| Take a snapshot of Charmander | 5 Revives |
| Take a snapshot of your Buddy | 15 Poké Balls |
| Take a snapshot of 5 different Pokémon | 500 XP |
| Take a snapshot of a Normal-type Pokémon | Meowth Encounter |
| Take snapshots of 3 different Wild Fire-, Water-, or Grass-type Pokémon | 500 Stardust |
| Completion Rewards | Pansear Encounter and 1 Unova Stone |
| Step 4/6 | Reward |
| Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms | 20 Poké Balls |
| Hatch an Egg | 3 Golden Razz Berries |
| Walk 2 km | 3 Silver Pinap Berries |
| Earn a Candy exploring with your Buddy | 500 XP |
| Complete 5 Field Research tasks | 3 Rare Candies |
| Battle in a Gym 3 times | 500 Stardust |
| Completion Rewards | Gible Encounter and 1 Premium Battle Pass |
| Step 5/6 | Reward |
| Send 5 Gifts to friends | 5 Super Potions |
| Send 5 Gifts to friends and add a sticker to each | 5 Revives |
| Transfer 15 Pokémon | 500 XP |
| Battle in 2 Raids | 1 Fast TM |
| Win a level 1 or higher Raid | 1 Charged TM |
| Power up Pokémon 10 times | 500 Stardust |
| Completion Reward | Snorlax Encounter and 1 Rocket Radar |
| Step 6/6 | Reward |
| Claim Reward! | 1,000 XP |
| Claim Reward! | 1,000 XP |
| Claim Reward! | 1,000 XP |
| Claim Reward! | 1,000 XP |
| Claim Reward! | 1,000 XP |
| Claim Reward! | 1,000 XP |
| Completion Reward | Wash Rotom Encounter, 2,500 Stardust, and 2,500 XP |
Avatar Items
Dress up your avatar to the nines (or sixes in this year’s case) and celebrate this year’s anniversary with some classy duds. A white tuxedo clothing set and Cake Hats will be available to purchase via the in-game shop during the event and will be available afterwards.
Stickers
For this event, there will be an assortment of anniversary-themed stickers! The six stickers feature Pikachu (standard and Costumed), Bulbasaur, Charmander (standard and Costumed), Costumed Charmeleon, Costumed Charizard, and Squirtle. You can get them by spinning PokéStops, opening Gifts, and/or purchasing them from Pokémon GO’s in-game shop during the event.
Battle Weekend – Giovanni with Shadow Latios and more
It’s not a real party until Team GO Rocket crashes the event. From Saturday, July 9th, 2022 at 12 a.m. to Sunday, July 10th, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. your local time, Team GO Rocket will be throwing a party of sorts. Prepare for battles, Giovanni with a Shadow Latios, and more! Check out our separate guide for the event here.
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Written by Jennifer Burch
Illustrator, designer, writer and big Nintendo geek, you can find Jennifer with an N3DS within reach 24/7. As the oldest of three, she has survived many Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart sessions intact in addition to getting her brothers hooked on some really weird games. (Cubivore anyone?)
