August 2026 Brings Exciting New Events to Pokémon Go
As we step into August, Pokémon Go fans have a lot to look forward to! This month marks the end of the Forever Forward season, and Niantic is going out with a bang. Expect a lineup of exciting events and the arrival of some awesome new Pokémon, including the highly anticipated Gigantamax Rillaboom and Mega Starmie.
Get ready to enjoy summer festivities throughout the month! Events like Arctic Embers and a week-long Water Festival are just around the corner, along with new raid bosses and spotlight hours. Plus, there’s a major event scheduled to coincide with the 2026 Pokémon World Championships later this month, so trainers have plenty to keep their eyes on.
What’s Happening This August?
Raid Bosses Galore
This month, legendary Pokémon and fan favorites will be back in raids, giving trainers a chance to catch some elusive monsters. After Kyurem wraps up on August 4, you can look forward to the legendary lake trio—Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie—making their return in five-star raids, each tied to different regions. Other powerful legendaries such as Groudon, Lunala, and the Regi trio will also be available later in the month.
In Mega Raids, keep an eye out for Mega Aggron, Blaziken, Garchomp, Swampert, and Gyarados, while Shadow Altered Forme Giratina will dominate the Shadow Raids all month long.
Spotlight on Spotlight Hours
Every Thursday from 6 PM to 7 PM, a different Pokémon will take the spotlight, appearing more frequently in the wild. Plus, trainers can snag sweet bonuses like double XP or Stardust during this hour. Here’s the lineup for August:
- August 6: Delibird with 2x catch Stardust
- August 13: Wurmple with 2x evolution XP
- August 20: Magikarp with 2x catch XP
- August 27: Mankey with 2x catch candy
Gigantamax Rillaboom Max Battle Day
Kicking off the month with a bang, August 1 features a Max Battle Day for Gigantamax Rillaboom. From 2 PM to 5 PM local time, trainers can battle this six-star boss at Power Spots, and there are plenty of bonuses to be had, including an increased Max Particle limit and up to three special trades!
Summer Marathon: Arctic Embers
From August 4-10, trainers will enjoy the Arctic Embers event, showcasing fire and ice-type Pokémon like Vulpix and Swinub in the wild. Hatch some 5 km eggs for a chance at Sizzlipede and Galarian Darumaka, and enjoy tiered bonuses as you level up your Go Pass.
Fire and Ice Hatch Day
On August 8, get ready for a day dedicated to hatching! From 11 AM to 5 PM, Smoochum and Magby will hatch from 2 km eggs, while Larvesta can be found in 5 km eggs. Enjoy double candy and reduced hatch distances during this event!
Community Day Featuring Nickit
August 16 is all about Nickit! From 2 PM to 5 PM, this dark-type Pokémon will be spawning everywhere, giving trainers a great chance to catch them and earn special bonuses, including triple Stardust and double candy for captures. Evolving Nickit into Thievul will also grant it a unique attack!
Ultra Unlock: Water Festival
The fun continues with the Water Festival running from August 18-24, where water-type Pokémon will be splashing around more frequently. Expect to see new faces like Arrokuda and Cramorant, along with daily bonuses that ramp up the excitement.
Starmie Super Mega Raid Day
On August 22, Mega Starmie makes its debut in Pokémon Go! From 11 AM to 5 PM, trainers can raid for this exciting new Pokémon, with bonuses including additional XP and a chance to catch shiny Starmie.
Celebrating the 2026 Pokémon World Championships
Finally, from August 25-30, Pokémon Go is gearing up for the 2026 Pokémon World Championships with a special event. Keep your eyes peeled for more details as the date approaches!
With so much content to dive into, August is shaping up to be an unforgettable month for Pokémon Go trainers. Get out there and catch ’em all!