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Pokemon Go‘s global Go Fest has arrived, and this year’s event is a big one. For the first time in the game’s history, all players who log in during the festivities will receive access to a new Special Research that leads to an encounter with the mythical Pokemon Zeraora.

That’s not all that players can look forward to this weekend. Mewtwo’s Mega-Evolved forms are also making their debut, and different wild Pokemon and Raid bosses will appear throughout the weekend as part of the game’s rotating habitats.

On top of that, the game will offer a variety of bonuses, challenges, and more this weekend. To help get you up to speed, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about Pokemon Go Fest 2026 below.

Pokemon Go Fest 2026 Schedule

This year’s global Pokemon Go Fest takes place on July 10 and 11. The event kicks off each day at 10 AM local time and runs until 7 PM local time.

Unlike previous Go Fests, which restricted access to certain content behind a paid ticket, this year’s event will be completely free for all players. Anyone who logs in to the game during the event days will receive the Zeraora Special Research and be able to take advantage of the full slate of event bonuses, including increased odds of encountering shiny Pokemon.

Mega Mewtwo Raids

Making their debut during this year’s Go Fest are Mewtwo’s two Mega-Evolved forms: Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y. Each will appear as Super Mega Raid bosses throughout both days of the event, making this your first chance to battle them and earn Mewtwo Mega Energy.

Like standard Mewtwo, Mega Mewtwo Y is a pure psychic Pokemon, so you can employ the same strategy when challenging one. Mega Mewtwo X, however, is a psychic/fighting type, so it will require a different approach than the other Mewtwo forms.

Here are some recommended counters to help you topple the new Raid bosses:

Best Mega Mewtwo X Counters

Fairy

Ghost

Best Mega Mewtwo Y Counters

Dark

Bug

Zeraora Special Research

In addition to Mewtwo’s Mega forms, the mythical Zeraora officially arrives during this year’s Go Fest. 

The Thunderclap Pokemon will be the star of a new Special Research, which all players will receive upon logging in to the game during the event. Complete the Research’s various tasks and you’ll eventually unlock an encounter with Zeraora, making this your only way to get one so far in Pokemon Go.

Like other Special Research stories, this questline does not expire, so you can take as long as you need to work your way through the tasks. As mentioned, however, you will need to log in to the game before Pokemon Go Fest ends to secure the Special Research.

Rotating Habitats

Like previous years, Pokemon Go Fest will feature several virtual “habitats” that will rotate every few hours. Depending upon which habitat is active, different types of Pokemon will spawn in the wild, and a different assortment of legendary and Mega Pokemon will appear in Gyms as Raid bosses.

You can see the full habitat schedule, along with a list of Pokemon that will be available while each one is active, below:

July 11

Stormfire Peaks

Runs 10 AM to 1 PM local time

Featured types

• Ice
• Electric
• Fire

Five-star Raids

• Articuno
• Zapdos
• Moltres
• Raikou
• Entei
• Suicune
• Lugia
• Ho-Oh

Mega Raids

• Mega Ampharos
• Mega Blaziken
• Mega Abomasnow

Astral Tides

Runs 1 PM to 4 PM local time

Featured types

• Psychic
• Ghost
• Water

Five-star Raids

• Uxie (Asia-Pacific region)
• Mesprit (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India)
• Azelf (Americas and Greenland)
• Dialga
• Palkia
• Altered Forme Giratina
• Origin Forme Giratina
• Xerneas
• Yveltal
• Solgaleo
• Lunala

Mega Raids

• Mega Alakazam
• Mega Gengar
• Mega Swampert

Dragonflight Summit

Runs 4 PM to 7 PM local time

Featured types

• Flying
• Rock
• Dragon

Five-star Raids

• Kyogre
• Groudon
• Rayquaza
• Reshiram
• Zekrom
• Kyurem

Mega Raids

• Mega Pidgeot
• Mega Aerodactyl
• Mega Salamence

July 12

Earthforged Domain

Runs 10 AM to 1 PM local time

Featured types

• Ground
• Steel
• Normal

Five-star Raids

• Regirock
• Regice
• Registeel
• Origin Forme Dialga
• Origin Forme Palkia
• Heatran
• Regigigas
• Incarnate Forme Tornadus
• Therian Forme Tornadus
• Incarnate Forme Thundurus
• Therian Forme Thundurus
• Incarnate Forme Landorus
• Therian Forme Landorus
• Regieleki
• Regidrago
• Incarnate Forme Enamorus
• Therian Forme Enamorus

Mega Raids

• Mega Metagross
• Mega Garchomp
• Mega Audino

Verdant Anomaly

Runs 1 PM to 4 PM local time

Featured types

• Poison
• Bug
• Grass

Five-star Raids

• Normal Forme Deoxys
• Attack Forme Deoxys
• Defense Forme Deoxys
• Speed Forme Deoxys
• Genesect
• Douse Drive Genesect
• Shock Drive Genesect
• Burn Drive Genesect
• Chill Drive Genesect
• Tapu Koko
• Tapu Lele
• Tapu Bulu
• Tapu Fini
• Nihilego
• Buzzwole (Americas and Greenland)
• Pheromosa (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India
• Xurkitree (Asia-Pacific region)
• Celesteela (Southern Hemisphere)
• Kartana (Northern Hemisphere)
• Guzzlord
• Necrozma
• Stakataka (Eastern Hemisphere)
• Blacephalon (Western Hemisphere)

Mega Raids

• Mega Beedrill
• Mega Pinsir
• Mega Sceptile

Twilight Battlefield

Runs 4 PM to 7 PM local time

Featured types

• Dark
• Fairy
• Fighting

Five-star Raids

• Latias
• Latios
• Cresselia
• Darkrai
• Cobalion
• Terrakion
• Virizion
• Zacian (Hero of Many Battles form)
• Zamazenta (Hero of Many Battles form)

Mega Raids

• Mega Tyranitar
• Mega Gardevoir
• Mega Lucario

Bonuses

Like other events, a slew of bonuses will be active throughout Pokemon Go Fest 2026, including increased shiny rates and extra free Raid Passes. You can see the full list of bonuses below:

• Increased chance of encountering shiny Pokemon
• Lure Modules will last for one hour
• Incense will attract special Pokemon
• Different themed Field Research tasks will be available every hour
• Global Challenges will unlock additional bonuses and Ultra Unlock events
• Receive up to nine free Raid Passes per day by spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms
• Make up to six Special Trades
• Trades will cost 50 percent less Stardust
• Open up to 50 gifts each day

Pokemon Go has plenty more events lined up this month beyond Go Fest 2026, including a special anniversary Pikachu celebration and a Super Mega Raid Day featuring both forms of Mega Raichu. You can see what else is happening in the game over the next few weeks in our July events roundup.

“}]] [[{“value”:”Pokemon Go’s global Go Fest has arrived, and this year’s event is a big one. For the first time in the game’s history, all players who log in during the festivities will receive access to a new Special Research that leads to an encounter with the mythical Pokemon Zeraora.

That’s not all that players can look forward to this weekend. Mewtwo’s Mega-Evolved forms are also making their debut, and different wild Pokemon and Raid bosses will appear throughout the weekend as part of the game’s rotating habitats.

On top of that, the game will offer a variety of bonuses, challenges, and more this weekend. To help get you up to speed, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about Pokemon Go Fest 2026 below.

In This Article

Pokemon Go Fest 2026 ScheduleMega Mewtwo RaidsBest Mega Mewtwo X CountersBest Mega Mewtwo Y CountersZeraora Special ResearchRotating HabitatsJuly 11Stormfire PeaksAstral TidesDragonflight SummitJuly 12Earthforged DomainVerdant AnomalyTwilight BattlefieldBonuses

Pokemon Go Fest 2026 Schedule

This year’s global Pokemon Go Fest takes place on July 10 and 11. The event kicks off each day at 10 AM local time and runs until 7 PM local time.

Unlike previous Go Fests, which restricted access to certain content behind a paid ticket, this year’s event will be completely free for all players. Anyone who logs in to the game during the event days will receive the Zeraora Special Research and be able to take advantage of the full slate of event bonuses, including increased odds of encountering shiny Pokemon.

Mega Mewtwo Raids

Making their debut during this year’s Go Fest are Mewtwo’s two Mega-Evolved forms: Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y. Each will appear as Super Mega Raid bosses throughout both days of the event, making this your first chance to battle them and earn Mewtwo Mega Energy.

Like standard Mewtwo, Mega Mewtwo Y is a pure psychic Pokemon, so you can employ the same strategy when challenging one. Mega Mewtwo X, however, is a psychic/fighting type, so it will require a different approach than the other Mewtwo forms.

Here are some recommended counters to help you topple the new Raid bosses:

Best Mega Mewtwo X Counters

Fairy

PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged AttackMega GardevoirPsychic/FairyCharmDazzling GleamXerneasFairyGeomancyMoonblastTapu LelePsychic/FairyAstonishNature’s MadnessCrowned Sword ZacianFairy/SteelMetal ClawPlay RoughEnamorusFairy/FlyingFairy WindDazzling Gleam

Ghost

PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged AttackGiratinaGhost/DragonShadow ClawShadow ForceChandelureGhost/FireHexShadow BallLunalaPsychic/GhostShadow ClawShadow BallDragapultDragon/GhostAstonishShadow BallGholdengoGhost/SteelHexShadow Ball

Best Mega Mewtwo Y Counters

Dark

PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged AttackMega HoundoomFire/DarkSnarlFoul PlayMega TyranitarRock/DarkBiteBrutal SwingMega AbsolDarkSnarlBrutal SwingDarkraiDarkSnarlShadow BallHydreigonDragon/DarkBiteBrutal Swing

Bug

PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged AttackMega PinsirBug/FlyingFury CutterX-ScissorMega ScizorBug/SteelFury CutterX-ScissorEscavalierBug/SteelBug BiteMegahornVolcaronaBug/FireBug BiteBug BuzzGenesectBug/SteelFury CutterX-Scissor

Zeraora Special Research

In addition to Mewtwo’s Mega forms, the mythical Zeraora officially arrives during this year’s Go Fest. 

The Thunderclap Pokemon will be the star of a new Special Research, which all players will receive upon logging in to the game during the event. Complete the Research’s various tasks and you’ll eventually unlock an encounter with Zeraora, making this your only way to get one so far in Pokemon Go.

Like other Special Research stories, this questline does not expire, so you can take as long as you need to work your way through the tasks. As mentioned, however, you will need to log in to the game before Pokemon Go Fest ends to secure the Special Research.

Rotating Habitats

Like previous years, Pokemon Go Fest will feature several virtual “habitats” that will rotate every few hours. Depending upon which habitat is active, different types of Pokemon will spawn in the wild, and a different assortment of legendary and Mega Pokemon will appear in Gyms as Raid bosses.

You can see the full habitat schedule, along with a list of Pokemon that will be available while each one is active, below:

July 11

Stormfire Peaks

Runs 10 AM to 1 PM local time

Featured types

Ice

Electric

Fire

Five-star Raids

Articuno

Zapdos

Moltres

Raikou

Entei

Suicune

Lugia

Ho-Oh

Mega Raids

Mega Ampharos

Mega Blaziken

Mega Abomasnow

Astral Tides

Runs 1 PM to 4 PM local time

Featured types

Psychic

Ghost

Water

Five-star Raids

Uxie (Asia-Pacific region)

Mesprit (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India)

Azelf (Americas and Greenland)

Dialga

Palkia

Altered Forme Giratina

Origin Forme Giratina

Xerneas

Yveltal

Solgaleo

Lunala

Mega Raids

Mega Alakazam

Mega Gengar

Mega Swampert

Dragonflight Summit

Runs 4 PM to 7 PM local time

Featured types

Flying

Rock

Dragon

Five-star Raids

Kyogre

Groudon

Rayquaza

Reshiram

Zekrom

Kyurem

Mega Raids

Mega Pidgeot

Mega Aerodactyl

Mega Salamence

July 12

Earthforged Domain

Runs 10 AM to 1 PM local time

Featured types

Ground

Steel

Normal

Five-star Raids

Regirock

Regice

Registeel

Origin Forme Dialga

Origin Forme Palkia

Heatran

Regigigas

Incarnate Forme Tornadus

Therian Forme Tornadus

Incarnate Forme Thundurus

Therian Forme Thundurus

Incarnate Forme Landorus

Therian Forme Landorus

Regieleki

Regidrago

Incarnate Forme Enamorus

Therian Forme Enamorus

Mega Raids

Mega Metagross

Mega Garchomp

Mega Audino

Verdant Anomaly

Runs 1 PM to 4 PM local time

Featured types

Poison

Bug

Grass

Five-star Raids

Normal Forme Deoxys

Attack Forme Deoxys

Defense Forme Deoxys

Speed Forme Deoxys

Genesect

Douse Drive Genesect

Shock Drive Genesect

Burn Drive Genesect

Chill Drive Genesect

Tapu Koko

Tapu Lele

Tapu Bulu

Tapu Fini

Nihilego

Buzzwole (Americas and Greenland)

Pheromosa (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India

Xurkitree (Asia-Pacific region)

Celesteela (Southern Hemisphere)

Kartana (Northern Hemisphere)

Guzzlord

Necrozma

Stakataka (Eastern Hemisphere)

Blacephalon (Western Hemisphere)

Mega Raids

Mega Beedrill

Mega Pinsir

Mega Sceptile

Twilight Battlefield

Runs 4 PM to 7 PM local time

Featured types

Dark

Fairy

Fighting

Five-star Raids

Latias

Latios

Cresselia

Darkrai

Cobalion

Terrakion

Virizion

Zacian (Hero of Many Battles form)

Zamazenta (Hero of Many Battles form)

Mega Raids

Mega Tyranitar

Mega Gardevoir

Mega Lucario

Bonuses

Like other events, a slew of bonuses will be active throughout Pokemon Go Fest 2026, including increased shiny rates and extra free Raid Passes. You can see the full list of bonuses below:

Increased chance of encountering shiny Pokemon

Lure Modules will last for one hour

Incense will attract special Pokemon

Different themed Field Research tasks will be available every hour

Global Challenges will unlock additional bonuses and Ultra Unlock events

Receive up to nine free Raid Passes per day by spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms

Make up to six Special Trades

Trades will cost 50 percent less Stardust

Open up to 50 gifts each day

Pokemon Go has plenty more events lined up this month beyond Go Fest 2026, including a special anniversary Pikachu celebration and a Super Mega Raid Day featuring both forms of Mega Raichu. You can see what else is happening in the game over the next few weeks in our July events roundup.”}]]  Read MoreGameSpot – All Content