As the “Delightful Days” season of Pokémon GO concludes, trainers can anticipate an action-packed August 2025 filled with new Pokémon introductions, special raid events, and familiar returning features. This month marks the debut of Gigantamax Butterfree and Shadow Kyogre, alongside a rare appearance by Origin Form Dialga and Palkia during a dedicated Raid Day. Players can also look forward to new Spotlight Hours, a refreshed lineup of raid bosses, and the highly anticipated Pokémon GO Fest Max Finale, featuring the arrival of Eternatus.
Below is a detailed overview of all the major Pokémon GO events happening this August, helping you plan your adventures and catch all the exciting new Pokémon.
August Raid Schedule
August brings a fresh wave of raid bosses to gyms. Legendary Pokémon Lugia and Ho-Oh will feature in five-star raids during the first half of the month, followed by Necrozma towards the end. Mega raids will showcase Mega Ampharos, Mega Slowbro, Mega Pidgeot, and Mega Salamence. For Shadow Raids, Shadow Regirock will be available every weekend.
Five-Star Raids
- August 4-11: Lugia
- August 11-18: Ho-Oh
- August 25-September 2: Necrozma
Mega Raids
- August 4-11: Mega Ampharos
- August 11-18: Mega Slowbro
- August 18-25: Mega Pidgeot
- August 25-September 2: Mega Salamence
Shadow Raids
- Weekends in August: Shadow Regirock
Max Battles
- August 4-10: Dynamax Omanyte
- August 11-17: Dynamax Trubbish
- August 25-31: Dynamax Chansey
August Spotlight Hours
Every Tuesday in August, from 6-7 PM local time, Pokémon GO will highlight specific Pokémon, increasing their wild spawn rates and offering special bonuses. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your Pokédex and gather valuable candy.
- August 5: Swirlix (Bonus: 2x catch Stardust)
- August 12: Plusle and Minun (Bonus: 2x catch XP)
- August 19: Ralts (Bonus: 2x catch candy)
- August 26: Lechonk (Bonus: 2x transfer candy)
Fossil Research Day
Kick off August with Fossil Research Day on August 2, from 2-5 PM local time. Fossil Pokémon such as Kabuto, Cranidos, Tirtouga, and Archen will appear more frequently in the wild. Additionally, completing Field Research tasks during the event offers a chance to encounter the rare Tyrunt and Amaura.
Featured Pokémon
Wild encounters
- Omanyte
- Kabuto
- Lileep
- Anorith
- Cranidos
- Shieldon
- Tirtouga
- Archen
Research encounters
- Tyrunt
- Amaura
Gigantamax Butterfree Max Battle Day
Gigantamax Butterfree makes its Pokémon GO debut on August 3 during a special Max Battle Day, from 2-5 PM local time. This colossal Gigantamax Pokémon will appear as a six-star Max Battle boss. Several powerful bonuses will also be active throughout the event hours:
Bonuses
- 2x Max Particles from exploring
- 1/4 adventuring distance to receive Max Particles
- Max Particle collection limit increased to 1,600
- All Power Spots will host Gigantamax Battles
- Power Spots will refresh more frequently than usual
- 8x Max Particles from Power Spots
- Daily Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 20
- Two additional Special Trades allowed
Sweet Swarm Event
Combee and Swirlix take center stage during the Sweet Swarm event, running from August 3-6. Encounter these Pokémon by completing Timed Research tasks, which also reward valuable Stardust and Pinap Berries. Lure Modules activated during the event will last for an hour and are more likely to attract event-featured Pokémon.
Featured Pokémon (Research encounters)
- Combee
- Swirlix
Bonuses
- Lure Modules last for one hour
- Lure Modules are more likely to attract event Pokémon
- Increased chance to encounter shiny variants of Combee and Swirlix
Cozy Companions Event
Despite being summer, two new Ice-type Pokémon make their debut during the Cozy Companions event, from August 6-12. Snom is one of several Pokémon that may hatch from 7 km eggs. To evolve Snom into Frosmoth, you`ll need to earn 10 hearts with Snom as your buddy and use 400 Snom candy.
Other Pokémon like Galarian Farfetch`d and Charcadet will also hatch from 7 km eggs, while Abra, Alolan Geodude, and Karrablast will appear more frequently in the wild. New Field and Timed Research tasks offer additional chances to encounter featured Pokémon.
Featured Pokémon
Wild encounters
- Abra
- Geodude
- Alolan Geodude
- Karrablast
- Shelmet
- Phantump
7 km eggs
- Galarian Farfetch`d
- Pancham
- Snom
- Charcadet
Bonuses
- 2x XP for hatching eggs
- One extra Special Trade per day
- First chance to encounter shiny Tandemaus
- Increased chance to encounter Tandemaus from Party Play
- Friendship levels with other players increase faster through opening gifts, trading Pokémon, or battling together
Hatch Day (Munchlax)
Pokémon GO is holding another Hatch Day event on August 9, and this one revolves around the adorable Munchlax. From 11 AM to 5 PM local time, Munchlax will hatch more frequently from 2 km eggs, and you`ll have an increased chance of hatching a shiny variant. There will also be some event-themed Timed Research tasks to complete, which will reward you with an Incubator and 5,000 XP.
Bonuses
- 2x candy from hatching eggs
- Increased chance of hatching shiny Munchlax
- Increased chance of receiving 2 km eggs from PokeStops
Ultra Unlock: Origin Raid Day
Origin Form Dialga and Palkia are returning for a special Raid Day on August 10. These formidable legendary Pokémon will appear as five-star raid bosses from 11 AM to 5 PM. Not only that, but you`ll have an increased chance of encountering shiny versions of each.
Bonuses
- Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 20
- Receive up to five additional free Raid Passes from Gyms
- Increased chance of encountering shiny variants of Dialga and Palkia
- 1.5 XP from raids
- Increased chance to get Rare Candy XL from in-person raids (for players level 31 and above)
Delightful Days: Taken Over (Team Go Rocket Event)
Team GO Rocket disrupts the “Delightful Days” season during the “Taken Over” event, from August 11-17. Grunts will appear more frequently at PokeStops and in balloons, commanding new Shadow Pokémon including Shadow Staryu, Shadow Fletchling, and Shadow Grubbin.
Shadow Pokémon will also appear in various raids, notably the debut of Shadow Kyogre. A new Special Research story will lead to an ultimate battle with Giovanni, offering a chance to rescue Shadow Giratina upon his defeat.
Featured Shadow Pokémon in Raids
One-star raids
- Shadow Bellsprout
- Shadow Aipom
- Shadow Teddiursa
- Shadow Seedot
Three-star raids
- Shadow Girafarig
- Shadow Absol
- Shadow Whirlipede
Five-star raids
- August 16-17: Shadow Kyogre
Bonuses
- Team GO Rocket grunts appear more frequently in balloons and at PokeStops
- Ability to use a Charged TM to make a Shadow Pokémon forget Frustration
- First chance to hatch shiny Salandit
Pokémon World Championships GO Battle Weekend
Coinciding with the 2025 Pokémon World Championships, Pokémon GO will host a GO Battle Weekend from August 15-17, providing trainers with enhanced battle opportunities.
Shadow Raid Weekend
Running alongside the GO Battle Weekend, a dedicated Shadow Raid Weekend is scheduled for August 16-17, promising intense encounters with powerful Shadow Pokémon.
Dark Skies Event
A “Dark Skies” event is planned for August 18-23. More intriguing details about this event will be announced later this month, so stay tuned!
Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Max Finale
The epic 2025 Pokémon GO Fest officially concludes with its grand Max Finale event, taking place on August 23-24. This event is set to cap off the season in spectacular fashion, with more details to be unveiled soon.
Sunkissed Shores Event
Pokémon GO wraps up the summer with one final summer-themed event, “Sunkissed Shores,” from August 25-31. Keep an eye out for more information as its start date approaches!
Rookidee Community Day
This month`s highly anticipated Community Day, featuring the sturdy bird Pokémon Rookidee, is scheduled for August 30. Get ready to catch, evolve, and enjoy special bonuses related to this Pokémon!
Mega Raid Day
Pokémon GO will conclude August with a special Mega Raid Day on August 31, offering intense Mega Raid battles. Further details regarding which Mega Pokémon will be featured will be announced later in August.