Halloween and the Day of the Dead are both behind us, so it's time that we start looking away from darker themes and towards a brighter future. To that end, Niantic has announced that we're on our way towards the Festival of Lights. This event has a few nice bonuses, and a new face from the Kalos region, and it's followed up by a long-awaited Team Rocket Takeover!
Festival of Lights
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| November 5, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time | November 14, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. local time |
- Friendship increases at 2x normal rate
- Gifts opened will give additional rewards
- Up to 45 gifts will be openable per day
- New Avatar Items and Stickers will be available
- India Only: 2x Catch Candy and Blitzle/Dedenne will appear more often in the wild
- The next chapter of the Season of Mischief research line, Misunderstood Mischief, will be made available.
- Dedenne will makes its Pokemon Go debut. This Electric/Fairy Type Pokemon made its debut in Generation 6/Kalos.
- A special selection of Pokemon will be available in the wild
- A special selection of Pokemon will be available via research
- A special selection of Pokemon will be available in raids
- A special selection of Pokemon will be hatching from 7km eggs
With Light Comes Shadow...
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| November 9, 2021 | TBA |
- Frustration will be able to be TMed off of Shadow Pokemon
- Team Rocket grunts will appear more frequently
Full Announcement
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Trainers,
The time has come for light to overcome the dark with the much-anticipated debut of Dedenne, the Antenna Pokémon. This Electric- and Fairy-type Pokémon, originally found in the Kalos region, will help illuminate your Pokédex as Electric-type Pokémon begin to appear more frequently in the wild. As Trainers may be familiar with, the Festival of Lights is a time to rediscover and strengthen bonds with all those around you.
Festival of Lights
From Friday, November 5, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. local time unless otherwise noted.
Event Bonuses
Happiness, friendships, and heartfelt gifts add joy to any celebration. Amid all the happiness and glee of the Festival of Lights, strengthen friendships and spread the joy of giving in Pokémon GO!
Friendship levels will increase twice as fast
Gifts will provide increased rewards
You’ll be able to open up to 45 Gifts per day
The Season of Mischief Story Continues!
Continue to follow the Season of Mischief storyline focused on the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa!
If you complete this Season’s Special Research story, you’ll gain access to a special event at the end of the Season that might have something to do with Hoopa!
Can you form a better bond with Hoopa and help Professor Willow explore its past? More awaits as you learn about the mischievous Hoopa.
Fireworks
The Festival of Lights deserves a grand display, so you’ll be able to enjoy fireworks in Pokémon GO during the first few days of the event as Trainers around the world celebrate the festival of Diwali.
Pokémon Debut
Dedenne makes its debut in Pokémon GO!
Originally discovered in the Kalos region, Dedenne will debut in Pokémon GO during the Festival of Lights. The Electric and Fairy type will no doubt be a cute addition to your Pokédex!
Dedenne
Wild Encounters
As Trainers light the way for one another, certain Pokémon will appear in the wild to help.
The following Pokémon will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
Pikachu
Magnemite
Slugma
Whismur
Electrike
Blitzle
Cottonee
Tynamo
Fennekin
Dedenne
If you’re lucky, you might encounter the following.
Darumaka
Litwick
: If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!
Field Research Task Encounters
The following Pokémon will be available to encounter when you complete Field Research tasks!
Vulpix
Magnemite
Electabuzz
Magmar
Electrike
Blitzle
Darumaka
Litleo
If you’re lucky, you might encounter the following.
Dedenne
: If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!
Raids
Overcoming the dark takes a lot of strength. Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion will make their way to raids with the exclusive attack Sacred Sword.
The following Pokémon will be appearing in raids.
One-star raids
Charmander
Vulpix
Chinchou
Litwick
Dedenne
Three-star raids
Alolan Raichu
Electabuzz
Magmar
Bellossom
Five-star raids
Cobalion*
Terrakion*
Virizion*
Mega Raids
Mega Manectric
: If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!
* Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion caught during this period will know the attack Sacred Sword.
Eggs
7km Eggs
Alolan Geodude
Chinchou
Pichu
Vulpix
Magby
Elekid
Budew
: If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!
:This list is organized by rarity, with one Egg icon being most common and five Egg icons being most rare.
A Celebration in India
India only
Trainers in India can enjoy a brighter evening on Sunday, November 7, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time.
- Blitzle and Dedenne will be appearing more frequently in the wild
- 2× Catch Candy
New Avatar Items and Stickers
Visit the shop during the event for a free Festival of Lights T-shirt inspired by the celebrations in India. You’ll also be able to light up your Avatar with Dedenne-inspired avatar items.
During the event, you’ll be able to get Dedenne-inspired stickers by spinning PokéStops, opening Gifts, and purchasing them from the in-game shop.
With Light Comes Shadow...
It seems the Festival of Lights event and Professor Willow’s research into Hoopa might have caught Team GO Rocket’s attention.
Reports indicate that Team GO Rocket plans to strike on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Stay tuned, Trainers...
You can use a Charged TM to help a Shadow Pokémon forget the Charged Attack Frustration.
Team GO Rocket members will be appearing significantly more frequently at PokéStops and in balloons.
More to Come...
Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change. Be sure to follow us on social media, opt to receive push notifications, and subscribe to our emails to stay updated. For the latest on in-game events and feature updates, be sure to check this help center article.
—The Pokémon GO team
