Pokémon GO’s Season of Hidden Gems’ Pokémon GO Fest 2023: Global (Saturday) event guide

The Season of Hidden Gems is coming to a close in Pokémon GO and its big send-off event is the yearly Pokémon GO Fest shindig. This year’s GO Fest is sticking with the gem theme and features the debut of Diancie (provided you have a paid ticket). So far this month, Trainers who participated in the paid in-person events in London, Osaka, and New York have already experienced catching Diancie and battling against Mega Rayquaza. Yet, for the rest of the world, our time is this weekend. Taking place over two days, Trainers can look forward to rotating habitats, Raids, and more on Day 1. As for Day 2, we’ll see rotating habitats disappear into a free-for-all catch ’em-all with wild encounters, Mega Rayquaza appearing in Mega Raids, and more.

Now, check out what’s happening during the first day of Pokémon GO Fest 2023: Global with our guide below:

 

Pokémon GO’s Season of Hidden Gems – Pokémon GO Fest 2023: Global (Saturday)

Begins: Saturday, August 26th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.

Ends: Saturday, August 26th, 2023 at 6 p.m. your local time.

 

Pokémon debuts – Diancie, Costumed Pikachu, Costumed Snorlax, and Shiny Pokémon

 

 

The global version of Pokémon GO Fest 2023 will have a variety of debuts – some debuting for the first time and others that were previously released and limited to ticket holders at previous events.

• Diancie and Mega Diancie: Limited to paid ticket holders, Diancie will be available in a Special Research quest line distributed to Trainers starting on Saturday, August 26th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time. To get Mega Diancie, Trainers will have to collect Diancie Mega Energy from Carbink Raids. Which leads us to…
  • Carbink: Already distributed in a Timed Research to paid ticket holders who purchased their ticket by a specific date, Carbink will be appearing in Two-Star Raids for all Trainers.
• Four Costumed Pikachus: Yes, there are four of these adorable Costumed Pika-pikas. The in-person GO Fest 2023 events all had the Pikachu wearing an amethyst crown, but for the Global edition, there will be four other crown-wearing Pikachus.
  • Pikachu wearing a quartz crown*: This Pikachu will be appearing during the Quartz Terrarium habitat hours and in One-Star Raids.
  • Pikachu wearing a pyrite crown*: This Pikachu will be appearing during the Pyrite Sands habitat hours and in One-Star Raids.
  • Pikachu wearing a malachite crown*: This Pikachu will be appearing during the Malachite Wilderness habitat hours and in One-Star Raids.
  • Pikachu wearing an aquamarine crown*: This Pikachu will be appearing during the Aquamarine Shores habitat hours and in One-Star Raids.
    • Going forward, these Pokémon will be referred to as “Gem Crown Pikachu” rather than “Pikachu wearing a gem crown”.
• Cowboy Hat Snorlax*: Released last year during various paid Pokémon GO events, Cowboy Hat Snorlax returns.
  • Going forward, this Pokémon will be referred to as “Costumed” rather than the exact outfit they are wearing.
• Mega Rayquaza: Debuting at previous GO Fest 2023 events, this will be the worldwide debut of Mega Rayquaza. You’ll see Mega Rayquaza appear in Mega Raids on Sunday, August 27th, 2023.
• Shiny Pokémon: Debuting for the first time, the following Shiny Pokémon (and their evolved forms) will be available during the event.
  • Shiny Goomy: If you’re lucky, you can find Shiny Goomy in the wild during the Aquamarine Shores rotating habitat hours.
  • Shiny Shellos (East Sea): A regional exclusive to the Eastern Hemisphere, Shellos (East Sea) will be available to catch in the wild during the Aquamarine Shores rotating habitat hours.
  • Shiny Shellos (West Sea): A regional exclusive to the Western Hemisphere, Shellos (West Sea) will be available to catch in the wild during the Quartz Terrarium rotating habitat hours.
  • Shiny Joltik: If you’re lucky, you can find Shiny Joltik in the wild during the Pyrite Sands rotating habitat hours.
  • Shiny Oranguru: If you’re lucky, you can find Shiny Oranguru in the wild during the Malachite Wilderness rotation habitat hours.

 

And lastly, other notable mentions include the following: various Unown (limited to paid ticket holders and includes the worldwide debut of Shiny Unown M), Heracross* (region exclusive), Pachirisu (region exclusive), and Carnivine (region exclusive).

• Unown A*, D*, I*, M*, N*, O* (to spell Diamond): To encounter any of these Unown (and possibly their shiny versions), you’ll need to purchase a paid ticket for the Global version of the event and activate Incense throughout the event (Daily Adventure Incense excluded). Regardless of which rotating habitat is active, all six Unown can spawn.
• Heracross*: Typically a regional exclusive, Heracross will be available in the wild during the Quartz Terrarium rotating habitat hours.
• Pachirisu: Another regional exclusive, Pachirisu will only be available to paid ticket holders that activate Incense (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) during the Aquamarine Shores rotating habitat hours.
• Carnivine: And another regional exclusive, Carnivine will only be available to paid ticket holders that activate Incense (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) during the Malachite Wilderness rotating habitat hours.

 

Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”

 

Event Bonuses

Free/All Trainers Bonuses

• Lure Modules activated will last for one hour.
• 2× friendship bonus damage in raids.
• Trainers will be able to enjoy Field Research themed around the different Pokémon habitats.
• There will be no limit on Remote Raids between Saturday, August 26 at 12:00 a.m. and Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. local time!
• Take snapshots during the event—you never know who might show up! (Photobomb encounter with Crown Pikachus, depending on which rotating habitat is active. Repeatable up to 5 times.)

 

Paid Ticket Holder Bonuses

• Increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokémon.
• Up to six Special Trades can be made each day.
• Level up your Elite Collector medal by completing habitat-themed Collection Challenges!
• Up to 9 free Raid Passes from spinning Photo Discs at Gyms.
• Special 7 km Eggs.

 

Event Boxes

If any special event boxes or bundles are released during the event, they’ll be listed here once the event is live.

• Remote Raid Box (490 PokéCoins, no purchase limit): 1 Premium Battle Pass and 3 Remote Raid Passes.

 

Rotating Habitats and Wild Encounters (Free) + Incense Encounters (Paid only)

Rotating habitats will be happening once again. For this event, there are four themed habitats after gems (to fit with the Season of Hidden Gems theme). Each habitat has its own selection of Pokémon appearing in the wild and spawning via Incense (the last is only available to ticket holders). These four different habitats will be rotating after an hour and specific times have been listed for each.

The following Pokémon will be appearing in the wild for all Trainers:

Quartz Terrarium

• Times: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. your local time and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. your local time.
• Wild Encounters: Quartz Crown Pikachu*, Clefairy*, Lickitung*, Heracross*, Miltank*, Wurmple*, Whismur*, Skitty*, Luvdisc*, Shellos (West Sea)*, Buneary*, Audino *, Foongus*, and Morelull.

 

Pyrite Sands

• Times: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. your local time and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. your local time.
• Wild Encounters: Pyrite Crown Pikachu*, Sandshrew*, Alolan Diglett*, Psyduck*, Girafarig*, Shuckle*, Trapinch*, Gible*, Hippopotas*, Timburr*, Joltik*, Binacle*, Helioptile*, and Grubbin.

 

Malachite Wilderness

• Times: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. your local time and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time.
• Wild Encounters: Caterpie*, Malachite Crown Pikachu*, Bellsprout*, Scyther*, Costumed Snorlax*, Spinarak*, Remoraid*, Roselia*, Snover*, Cottonee*, Ferroseed*, Stunfisk*, Fomantis*, and Oranguru*.

 

Aquamarine Shores

• Times: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. your local time and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. your local time.
• Wild Encounters: Aquamarine Crown Pikachu*, Horsea*, Lapras*, Marill*, Wobbuffet*, Carvanha*, Barboach*, Bagon*, Beldum*, Shellos (East Sea)*, Woobat*, Tympole*, Goomy*, and Mareanie.

 

Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”

 

Incense Encounters (Paid only)

Ticket holders can also encounter the following Pokémon with Incense activated (Daily Adventure Incense excluded):

• Quartz Terrarium: Hisuian Growlithe, Unown A*, Unown D*, Unown I*, Unown M*, Unown N*, Unown O*.
• Pyrite Sands: Unown A*, Unown D*, Unown I*, Unown M*, Unown N*, Unown O* and Pawniard*.
• Malachite Wilderness: Unown A*, Unown D*, Unown I*, Unown M*, Unown N*, Unown O*, and Carnivine.
• Aquamarine Shores: Unown A*, Unown D*, Unown I*, Unown M*, Unown N*, Unown O*, and Pachirisu.

 

Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”

 

Eggs (Paid only)

Special 7km Eggs will only be available to paid ticket holders. The following Pokémon will be hatching from Eggs that are obtained during the event:

• 7 km Eggs
  • 1-Egg Rarity: Shellos (East Sea)*, Shellos (West Sea)*, Joltik*, Oranguru*, and Goomy*.
  • 2-Egg Rarity: Hisuian Growlithe, Pawniard*, Carnivine, and Pachirisu.

 

Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might hatch a Shiny one!”

 

Raids

Standard Raids will be active during the event.

 

Standard Raids

The following Pokémon will be appearing in Raids:

• One-Star Raids: Quartz Crown Pikachu*, Pyrite Crown Pikachu*, Malachite Crown Pikachu*, Aquamarine Crown Pikachu*, and Goomy*.
• Two-Star Raids: Carbink.
• Three-Star Raids: Costumed Snorlax*.
• Primal Raids: Primal Kyogre* and Primal Groudon*.

 

Additional Notes:

• Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
• The Remote Raid Pass daily limit has been lifted during all of Pokémon GO Fest 2023.

 

Featured Attacks for Butterfree, Sandslash, Clefable, Flygon, Salamence, Metagross, Roserade, and Lickilicky

Select Pokémon that are evolved during Pokémon GO Fest 2023: Global event hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. your local time on Saturday and Sunday) will learn specific Fast and/or Charged Attacks.

 

• Butterfree: Evolve Metapod during the event to get a Butterfree that knows the Bug Bite (Fast Attack).
• Sandslash: Evolve Sandshrew during the event to get a Sandslash that knows the Night Slash (Charged Attack).
• Clefable: Evolve Clefairy during the event to get a Clefable that knows the Pound (Fast Attack).
• Flygon: Evolve Vibrava during the event to get a Flygon that knows the Earth Power (Charged Attack).
• Salamence: Evolve Shelgon during the event to get a Salamence that knows the Outrage (Charged Attack).
• Metagross: Evolve Metang during the event to get a Metagross that knows the Meteor Mash (Charged Attack).
• Roserade: Evolve Roselia during the event to get a Roserade that knows both the Bullet Seed (Fast Attack) and the Fire-type Weather Ball (Charged Attack).
• Lickilicky: Evolve Lickitung during the event to get a Lickilicky that knows the Body Slam (Charged Attack).

 

Field Research Tasks

There will be event-exclusive Field Research Tasks available and they’ll change each hour (depending on the active rotating habitat). 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.

A complete list of tasks and rewards will be shared here once the event is live.

 

General/Entire Event

• Task: Catch 10 Pokémon
  • Reward: Onix* OR Carbink Encounter OR 10 Poké Balls OR 5 Pinap Berries
• Task: Spin 10 PokéStops or Gyms
  • Reward: Onix* OR Carbink Encounter

 

Quartz Terrarium

• Task: Catch 5 Normal-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Quartz Crown Pikachu* Encounter OR 10 Poké Balls OR 5 Razz Berries OR 5 Pinap Berries
• Task: Hatch an Egg
  • Reward: Quartz Crown Pikachu* Encounter
• Task: Power up 5 Normal-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Shellos (West Sea)* Encounter
• Task: Earn 1,000 Stardust
  • Reward: Heracross* Encounter

 

Pyrite Sands

• Task: Catch 5 Ground-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Pyrite Crown Pikachu* Encounter OR 10 Poké Balls OR 5 Razz Berries OR 5 Pinap Berries
• Task: Hatch an Egg
  • Reward: Pyrite Crown Pikachu* Encounter
• Task: Power up 5 Ground-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Joltik* Encounter
• Task: Earn 1,000 Stardust
  • Reward: Gible* Encounter

 

Malachite Wilderness

• Task: Catch 5 Grass-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Malachite Crown Pikachu* Encounter OR 10 Poké Balls OR 5 Razz Berries OR 5 Pinap Berries
• Task: Hatch an Egg
  • Reward: Malachite Crown Pikachu* Encounter
• Task: Power up 5 Grass-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Oranguru* Encounter
• Task: Earn 1,000 Stardust
  • Reward: Cotumed Snorlax* Encounter

 

Aquamarine Shores

• Task: Catch 5 Water-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Aquamarine Crown Pikachu* Encounter OR 10 Poké Balls OR 5 Razz Berries OR 5 Pinap Berries
• Task: Hatch an Egg
  • Reward: Aquamarine Crown Pikachu* Encounter
• Task: Power up 5 Water-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Shellos (East Sea)* Encounter
• Task: Earn 1,000 Stardust
  • Reward: Goomy* Encounter

 

Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”

 

Special Research – GO Fest 2023: Fascinating Facets (Paid only)

 

 

An event-exclusive Special Research Story will be available for paid ticket holders only. Rewards will include an encounter with Diancie, Avatar items, and more.

A complete list of tasks and rewards of this Special Research will be shared here once the event is live.

 

 

Global Challenge Arena and Ultra Unlock

Each hour for the first day of Pokémon GO Fest 2023: Global, there will be an active Global Challenge. If the challenge for the hour is met, additional bonuses will be available for that hour. Plus, these Global Challenges are tied to Ultra Unlock bonuses. Completing these challenges will unlock a variety of bonuses for a future event.

 

Collection Challenge – Quartz Terrarium, Pyrite Sands, Malachite Wilderness, and Aquamarine Shores (Paid only)

A variety of Collection Challenges will be available to paid ticket holders only. Completing these Collection Challenges will reward Trainers with an additional medal towards their Elite Collector medal and more. A complete list of what Pokémon must be caught/traded/evolved and the associated rewards will be added here once the event is live.

 

Quartz Terrarium Collection Challenge

• Catch: Morelull, Quartz Crown Pikachu, Lickitung, Luvdisc, Audino, Wurmple, Clefairy, Buneary, Miltank, Whismur, and Skitty.
• Reward: 2,023 Stardust, Heracross* Encounter, and 1 Incense.

 

Pyrite Sands Collection Challenge

• Catch: Grubbin, Pyrite Crown Pikachu, Alolan Diglett, Hippopotas, Helioptile, Psyduck, Binacle, Shuckle, Girafarig, Trapinch, and Sandshrew.
• Reward: 2,023 Stardust, Gible* Encounter, and 1 Incense.

 

Malachite Wilderness Collection Challenge

• Catch: Fomantis, Malachite Crown Pikachu, Cottonee, Remoraid, Spinarak, Bellsprout, Snover, Ferroseed, Scyther, Caterpie, and Roselia.
• Reward: 2,023 Stardust, Costumed Snorlax* Encounter, and 1 Incense.

 

Aquamarine Shores Collection Challenge

• Catch: Mareanie, Aquamarine Crown Pikachu, Tympole, Beldum, Barboach, Wobbuffet, Horsea, Bagon, Carvanha, Marill, and Woobat.
• Reward: 2,023 Stardust, Goomy* Encounter, and 1 Incense.

 

Pokéstop Showcases

During the event, Showcase contests will be active. Participating PokéStops will have Showcases that ask you to submit the biggest Pikachu or biggest Goomy.

 

Stickers

There will be an assortment of event-themed stickers featuring Carbink, Diancie, Rayquaza, and Mega Rayquaza. You can get them by spinning PokéStops, opening Gifts, and/or purchasing them from Pokémon GO’s in-game shop (with PokéCoins, 10 for 35 PokéCoins and 30 for 80 PokéCoins) during the event. These will be available to all Trainers.

 

 

Avatar Items

New avatar items themed after Diancie, Mega Rayquaza, and more will be released and/or promoted during this event. Some of these items are limited to paid ticket holders and others will be available for purchase (with PokéCoins) via the in-game shop. Avatar items listed in the in-game shop will still be available to purchase after the conclusion of this event.

 

 

• GO Fest 2023 Tee (Free, was also released as part of a Prime Gaming promotion earlier this summer)
• Diancie Headphones (200 PokéCoins, released on August 4th, 2023)
• Mega Rayquaza Set (400 PokéCoins, released on August 4th, 2023)
• Mega Rayquaza Helmet (250 PokéCoins, released on August 4th, 2023)
• Diancie T-shirt (only available with a paid ticket, given as a reward in the Special Research)
• Treasure Map Pose (only available with a paid ticket, given as a reward in the Special Research)

 

Paid Ticket – Pokémon GO Fest 2023

For the yearly Pokémon GO Fest events, Trainers can purchase a ticket to access additional bonuses, Special Research, and more. This guide has listed what’s available for all Trainers versus what’s only available for paid ticket holders. For those who want to purchase a ticket to the Pokémon GO Fest 2023: Global event, it costs  US$14.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency). Tickets will be available until Sunday, August 27th, 2023 at 4 p.m. your local time. To purchase a ticket, you can find it listed in the in-game store (advertised with a Diancie banner).

 

More Pokémon GO guides

 

Looking for more help with Pokémon GO? Check out our other guides!

 

 

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