Pokémon GO Water Festival 2025: Tatsugiri Debuts, shiny Staryu and Tirtouga boost, Bonuses & Raids

The Pokémon GO Water Festival 2025 is a global event running from July 15 to July 20, 2025. This event introduces Tatsugiri to Pokémon GO, in all three forms as regional exclusives, and boosted Shiny rates for Staryu and Tirtouga. On top of that, enjoy bonuses like Rainy Lure Modules lasting two hours, and Lapras wearing a Scarf!

This guide lists all the wild spawns, raids, bonuses, research and shiny-boosted Pokémon you can encounter during the Water Festival 2025 event in Pokémon GO.

Quick event overview

  • 📅 Dates: July 15 (10 a.m.) – July 20 (8 p.m.) local time
  • ⭐ Bonuses: Rainy Lure Modules last 2 hours, increased candy for nice throws or better
  • ✨ Shiny: Increased chance to encounter shiny Staryu and Tirtouga
  • 🆕 Debuts: Curly Form Tatsugiri, Droopy Form Tatsugiri and Stretchy Form Tatsugiri

Event Details Event icon

The Water Festival is a recurring themed event in Pokémon GO that celebrates Water-type Pokémon. First introduced in 2017, it typically features increased Water-type spawns, exclusive avatar items, and the debut of rare or regional Pokémon. In 2025, the Water Festival brings the debut of Tatsugiri in all three forms, Shiny Staryu and Tirtouga boost, and rare Water-type raids.

Date & Time 

  • Event icon Pokémon GO Water Festival (2025) event runs from Tuesday, July 15, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. local time

Event Bonuses

The following bonuses will be active during the Water Festival event:

  • Pokemon Encounter icon Debut of all three Tatsugiri forms
  • Shiny icon Increased chance to encounter Shiny Staryu and Shiny Tirtouga
  • Rainy Lure icon Rainy Lure Modules will last for two hours.
  • Pokemon Encounter icon Lapras wearing a scarf caught from raids may have a Seasonal special background—if you’re lucky!

Pokémon Debuts Pokemon Encounter icon

Tatsugiri debut in Pokémon GO

Tatsugiri, the Mimicry Pokémon, makes their Pokémon GO debut during the Water Festival event!

How to get all forms of Tatsugiri

  • Curly Form Tatsugiri (Europe, Middle East, Africa)
  • Droopy Form Tatsugiri (Americas)
  • Stretchy Form Tatsugiri (Asia-Pacific)

Wild Encounters Pokemon Encounter icon

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild:

Rare Spawns

Some Trainers may even encounter the following:

Raids Raid icon

Raid Egg (1-Star) icon One-Star Raids

The following Pokémon will be featured in one-star raids:


Raid Egg (3-Star) icon Three-Star Raids

The following Pokémon will be featured in three-star raids:

Related raid guides: Gyarados Raid Guide, Kingler Raid Guide, Azumarill Raid Guide and Lapras Raid Guide

Field Research Research icon

Task Reward
Catch 5 Pokémon
Catch 10 Pokémon
Catch 10 Water-type Pokémon
  • Mega Energy icon 10× Blastoise Mega Energy
  • Mega Energy icon 10× Gyarados Mega Energy
Catch 15 Pokémon
Evolve 2 Water-type Pokémon
Win a Raid

Collection Challenge General icon

Fishin’ Mission Collection Challenge

Note that Gyarados must be caught, not evolved, to fulfill this challenge.

Rewards:


She Sells Seashells Collection Challenge

Note that Kingler must be caught, not evolved, to fulfill this challenge.

Rewards:


Just Keep Swimming Collection Challenge

Note that Azumarill must be caught, not evolved, to fulfill this challenge.

Rewards:

Paid Timed Research: Happiness in Every Scoop Research icon

For US$4.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to access event-exclusive Timed Research. Here are all the tasks and the rewards:

Task Rewards
Catch 5 Water-type Pokémon Artwork of Staryu from Pokémon GO Staryu
Catch 10 Water-type Pokémon Artwork of Feebas from Pokémon GO Feebas
Catch 15 Water-type Pokémon Premium Raid Pass icon 1× Premium Raid Pass
Evolve a Pokémon Artwork of Clamperl from Pokémon GO Clamperl
Evolve 3 Pokémon Rainy Lure icon 3× Rainy Lure
Send a Gift with a sticker Artwork of Azumarill from Pokémon GO Azumarill
Explore 1km Artwork of Kingler from Pokémon GO Kingler
Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms Artwork of Gyarados from Pokémon GO Gyarados

Rewards

Note on Timed Research

Please note that Timed Research expires. The tasks associated with this Timed Research must be completed and their rewards must be claimed before Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. local time.

New Avatar Items Shop icon

The following avatar items will be available to purchase in the in-game shop during this event, and they will continue to be available after the event ends:

  • Curly Form Tatsugiri Backpack
  • Droopy Form Tatsugiri Backpack
  • Stretchy Form Tatsugiri Backpack

Water Festival Ultra Ticket Box Shop icon

The Water Festival Ultra Ticket Box will be available for US$4.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency). It includes an event ticket plus one Star Piece at no additional cost.

Tips for the Water Festival Event Event icon

  • Do nice throws or better to maximize the candy boost bonus.
  • Mega Evolve a Water type Pokémon to optimise candy during any event grinds.
  • Click on every Staryu and Tirtouga you see!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) General icon

What are the dates for the Water Festival event in Pokémon GO?

The Water Festival event runs from July 15 at 10:00 a.m. local time to July 20 at 8:00 p.m. local time.

Which Pokémon have boosted Shiny rates during the Water Festival?

Staryu and Tirtouga have increased Shiny encounter rates throughout the event in the wild.

How can I find Tatsugiri in Pokémon GO?

Tatsugiri can be found in Tier 1 raids during the Water Festival event, each featured in their own region. Curly Form Tatsugiri in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Droopy Form Tatsugiri in the Americas. Stretchy Form Tatsugiri in the Asia-Pacific region. You can use a remote raid pass to raid the Tatsugiri that are not featured in your own region.

Author & tags

kittypokemonsalot
kittypokemonsalothttps://www.kittyramblesalot.com/
Pokémon GO Hub Editor in Chief and Writer. Turtwig obsessive, real life Psyduck, Pokémon GO AR Photographer, found footage horror fan.

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