The Pokémon GO August 2026 events schedule is here! In July, featured Pokémon are Lunala, Shadow Altered Forme Giratina and Dynamax Magikarp. A variety of different Pokémon will be featured throughout the month, and there is a whole host of in-game events to look forward to!
Here are all the major events happening in August 2026 in Pokémon GO, as well as details on Raid Hours, Max Battles, Community Days, Spotlight Hours, and Research Breakthroughs you can enjoy this month.
Be sure to read on the general buffs and nerfs introduced with the Forever Forward Season and GBL Forever Forward Update.
Pokémon GO August 2026 Event Calendar
| Event | Info |
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Tier 5 Raids during August 2026
Raid Bosses change at 10:00 a.m. on these dates.
| Dates | Raid Bosses | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| July 29 – August 4 |
Kyurem
|
Kyurem |
| August 5 – August 11 | ||
| August 12 – August 18 |
Groudon
|
Groudon |
| August 19 – August 25 |
Lunala
|
Lunala |
| August 26 – September 8 |
Shadow Raids in August
Shadow Altered Forme Giratina will appear in Shadow Raids during weekends from August 5 to September 8!
Mega Raids during August 2026
Here’s the full July line-up for Pokémon GO Mega Raids.
| Dates | Mega Boss | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| July 29 – August 4 |
Mega Aggron
|
Mega Aggron |
| August 5 – August 11 |
Mega Blaziken
|
Mega Blaziken |
| August 12 – August 18 |
Mega Garchomp
|
Mega Garchomp |
| August 19 – August 25 |
Mega Swampert
|
Mega Swampert |
| August 26 – September 8 |
Mega Gyarados
|
Mega Gyarados |
August Raid Hours
Here is the complete August 2026 Raid Hours schedule. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, the following Pokémon will be featured in Five Star Raids on these dates in August:
August 2026 Max Battles
These Dynamax Pokémon may appear in Max Battles throughout August. They will also take over Power Spots for an hour each week on Mondays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time!
| Dates | Pokémon in Max Battles |
|---|---|
| July 26 – August 2 |
Feebas
Dynamax
|
| August 3 – August 9 |
Magmar
Dynamax
|
| August 10 – August 16 |
Beldum
Dynamax
|
| August 17 – August 23 |
Magikarp
Dynamax
|
| August 24 – August 30 |
Hitmontop
Dynamax
|
| August 31 – September 6 |
Eevee
Dynamax
|
August 2026 Spotlight Hours
Here is the complete August 2026 Pokémon Spotlight schedule to look forward to. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, the following Pokémon will be featured every Thursday on these dates:
Delibird
Delibird Spotlight Hour
August 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time
2× Catch Stardust
Research Breakthrough
Encounter Pokémon by completing the Research Breakthrough! Complete Field Research to unlock Research Breakthrough encounters with one of the following Pokémon:
Infographic
Event Previews
Gigantamax Rillaboom Max Battle Day
Gigantamax Rillaboom returns to Pokémon GO during a special Max Battle Day event on Saturday, August 1, 2026. For the first time, it can be shiny! Trainers can look forward to increased Max Particle limit, three special trades for the day, Gigantamax Rillaboom appearing on all Power Spots and more!
Summer Marathon: Arctic Embers
Shiny Snom makes their Pokémon GO debuts during the Summer Marathon: Arctic Embers event! Running from Tuesday, August 4, at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, August 10, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time, the event features a new GO Pass, boosted Shiny rates for select Pokémon, timed research, and more.
Fire and Ice Hatch Day
Fire and Ice Hatch Day takes place on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. This limited-time event features Magby and Smoochum eggs with boosted shiny odds, special Timed Research tasks and a Paid Timed Research for even more encounters.
Nickit Community Day
The August 2026 Community Day features the cunning little Nickit, the Fox Pokémon and winner of the Community Choice poll! Join the event on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time to enjoy 3x Catch Stardust, increased Nickit spawns, and a chance to encounter Shiny Nickit.
Evolve Nickit during the event—or up to four hours afterwards—to obtain Thievul with the exclusive Charged Attack Icy Wind Ice.
Ultra Unlock: Water Festival
Arrokuda and Cramorant make their Pokémon GO debuts during the Ultra Unlock: Water Festival 2026 event! Running from Tuesday, August 18, at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, August 24, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time, the event features a new GO Pass, boosted Shiny rates for select Pokémon, escalating catch bonuses, and more.
Super Mega Starmie Raid Day
During GO Fest trainers globally completed 45 hourly Global Challenges for the Ultra Unlock challenge, resulting in the debut of Mega Starmie in Pokémon GO! Mega Starmie will debut during a special Super Mega Raid Day event on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time.
Forever Forward
We are currently in the Forever Forward season. Different days of the week will include a Daily Discovery experience. These will be active between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. local time unless otherwise stated.
Max Monday
Fast-Track Monday will be removed. Max Mondays will continue and will keep the following bonuses:
One Rare Candy XL for completing in-person Max Battles.
More Power Spots than usual will be active.
-
Additional Power Spots will be active on Mondays compared to the rest of the week.
-
Max Battles will rotate to feature different Dynamax Pokémon.
(*) Max Battles will be available between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time. Power Spot availability will be limited outside of Max Mondays and Max Battle Days.
Showcase Tuesday
A new perk is coming to Showcase Tuesday.
-
PokéStop Showcases will be active on Tuesdays, featuring up to 20 different categories.
-
Trainers can enter up to five PokéStop Showcases.
-
More PokéStops may have PokéStop Showcases.
Wednesday (Raid Hour)
-
Raid Bosses for five-star raids and Mega Raids will rotate at the start of the day each week.
-
Raid Hours will continue to feature the five-star Raid Boss between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time.
-
One Rare Candy XL for completing in-person Raid Battles.
GO Battle Thursdays and Spotlight Hour
Spotlight Hour will return from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time!
-
The maximum number of sets you can play per day will increase from five to 10—for a total of 50 battles
-
Up to 4× Stardust from win rewards. (This does not include end-of-set rewards.)
Friendship Friday*
-
Up to two Special Trades.
-
Increased chance of Lucky Trade for any trade.
-
Up to -10% Stardust cost for trades.
-
Two guaranteed Candy XL from trades (Trainers level 31+).
(*) These bonuses only apply to in-person trades.
Scenic Sunday
-
More Pokémon will appear in the wild!
-
More Pokémon will appear while following a Route. Incense will attract even more Pokémon on Routes.
Reduced distance to earn Buddy Candy while exploring Routes with your Buddy Pokémon.
Encounter Mateo up to three times each day while on a Route.
Please note that Daily Discoveries will not be available during the week of global GO Fest, GO Wild Area, or GO Tour events.
