Pokémon GO events, explained
By Matt, MattSimplified
6 min read
Pokémon GO runs on a weekly rhythm: Max Monday, Raid Hour on Wednesday, Spotlight Hour on Thursday and Friendship Friday. On top of that, there's a Community Day roughly once a month, one-day events like Super Mega Raid Days and Max Battle Days, and seasons that last about three months. My weekly guide tells you what's on each week, so this page explains what each event is and which are worth your time.
What happens each day of the week
Since June 2026, every day of the week has its own thing.
Extra Power Spots and a featured Dynamax Pokémon. In-person Max Battle wins give a Rare Candy XL this season.
Enter up to five PokéStop Showcases.
The week's five-star boss takes over most gyms. New raid bosses arrive on Wednesdays, and in-person raids give a Rare Candy XL.
One Pokémon spawns everywhere with a bonus, like double catch Stardust. GO Battle League also allows extra battles.
Extra special trades, cheaper trades and better Lucky odds for in-person trades.
More spawns and bonuses for walking Routes.
These are this season's weekly bonuses, called Daily Discoveries, and times are local. They pause during the biggest events, like GO Fest and GO Tour.
Community Day
For three hours, usually 2 to 5pm on a Saturday or Sunday, one Pokémon spawns everywhere with a much better shiny chance. Evolve it during the event, or up to four hours after, and it learns a special move.
Triple catch XP, double catch Candy, double Candy XL chance, longer Incense and Lures, plus half price trade Stardust and an extra special trade until 9pm. There's usually an optional US$1.99 ticket for extra research.
Community Day Classic brings back an older Community Day Pokémon, a few times a year.
Raid Days, Max Battle Days and more
One Shadow legendary in raids for a few hours, with up to six free Raid Passes from gyms, a better shiny chance and a remote raid limit of 20. How shadow raids work.
Super Mega Raids at selected gyms, with free passes and a higher remote limit. You can find the gyms on the official map at pokemongo.com/map. How Super Mega Raids work.
A Gigantamax or Dynamax legendary takes over Power Spots, usually with a higher Max Particle limit. How Max Battles work.
Shorter themed events built around one activity, like hatching eggs or catching.
Ticketed raid days usually offer an optional US$4.99 (A$7.99) ticket for more passes and bonuses. The free version is still worth playing.
What's on this week?See my weekly guideSeasons, GO Fest and the GO Pass
Each season changes the spawns, eggs and weekly bonuses, and has a Research Breakthrough you earn by doing Field Research.
The biggest event of the year. There are in-person events in a few cities, then a global weekend everyone can join, with ticketed extras.
A monthly reward track. Everyone gets the free track, and there's an optional Deluxe track (US$7.99) with extra rewards.
Which events actually matter
If you only have time for a few things, make it Community Day, Raid Hour and any raid day for a Pokémon you'll actually use. Spotlight Hour is a nice bonus if you're out anyway. And always check what's on before you spend passes or tickets, because a better event is often only a few days away.
Matt, MattSimplifiedEvents FAQ
When is Spotlight Hour?
Thursdays from 6 to 7pm local time. It moved from Tuesdays in June 2026.
When is Raid Hour?
Wednesdays from 6 to 7pm local time.
What is Max Monday?
Every Monday, extra Power Spots appear with a featured Dynamax Pokémon. This season, in-person Max Battle wins on Mondays also give a Rare Candy XL.
How long does Community Day last?
Three hours, usually 2 to 5pm local time. You can still evolve for the special move up to four hours after it ends.
What is Friendship Friday?
This season's Friday bonus: extra special trades, cheaper trades, better Lucky odds and guaranteed Candy XL from in-person trades.
Is the GO Pass free?
Yes, the standard track is free. The Deluxe track is optional and costs US$7.99.
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