Pokémon Go Events: Here’s what’s next!

What's the next event for Pokémon Go? Here's what you need to know!

Update: Pokémon Go is having an Adventure Week starting May 18 with reduced Buddy distances, discount Poké Balls, and extra items from PokéStops!

Pokémon Go is intended to get you out and about, both on your own and with family and friends. One of the ways Pokémon Go tries to bolster activity is with events. Some of the events get splashy announcements and coincide with big public holidays. Others are quieter and more regular. Here's what's happened already and what's coming up next.

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Next Pokémon Go Event: Adventure Week starting May 18

Pokémon Go is having an Adventure Week starting May 18 with reduced Buddy distances, discount Poké Balls, and extra items from PokéStops!

From Pokemon Go Live:

Back in December, we collectively walked past the equivalent distance of Earth to Pluto and now, we're on a journey past the edge of the solar system! As of May 11, the Pokémon GO community has traveled more than 15.8 billion kilometers, and more adventures still await…

Pokémon GO was developed for people to easily experience classic Pokémon gameplay on their mobile device and catch Pokémon in the real world. As a result, every day, people around the globe go outside, explore the world around them, make some new memories, and get some exercise along the way. We'd love to honor the memories created so far, and our collective journey yet to come, with the Pokémon GO Adventure Week celebration from 1:00 P.M. PDT on May 18 to 1:00 P.M. PDT on May 25, 2017.

To help you stock up for your upcoming adventure, more items will be awarded from every PokéStop you visit, and Poké Balls will be 50% off in the in-game shop. Your Buddy Pokémon is also in the adventuring spirit and will find Candies four times as fast for the duration of the celebration. Whether you're exploring your neighborhood or an exotic new location, make sure to watch for Rock-type Pokémon such as Omanyte, Kabuto, and their Evolutions. Keep an eye out—maybe you'll even spot Aerodactyl!

Last but not least, you'll notice an all-new avatar item has been added to your wardrobe—the Explorer's Hat! Once Adventure Week begins, grab your new hat and head out on your journey.

We're excited to see where Pokémon GO takes you this week. Document your journey with the Pokémon GO AR camera, post your photos on social media using #PokemonGO, and we'll share some of our favorites on the new Pokémon GO Instagram channel! As you embark on your adventures, remember to always be alert and aware of your surroundings when playing Pokémon GO and be respectful of the communities and locations in which you play.

Next Pokémon Go Event: Nest Migration on May 17, 2017

The next Pokémon Go Nest Migration is expected to occur on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at 8 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. PDT (midnight UTC on Thursday, May 4. 2017).

Pokémon Go never announces nest migrations but they've occurred every two weeks at exactly the same time for months. There's always a possibility that will change but, until it does, the nest migration is a safe bet.

What are Pokémon Go Nests and how do you find them?

What should you do to prepare for the next nest migration?

Visit your local nests and stock up on the existing spawns while you still can. That includes any you might need to complete your Pokédex, medals, and build up your high-powered Pokémon. Sadly, the Tyranitar, Dragonite, Amphoros, Muk, and Chansey lines don't nest, and Magikarp sticks to water spawns that don't migrate. Rhynhorn does nest, though, and so do the Pokémon you need to max out Gen 1 and Gen 2 starters and new triple-evolutions. So, catch 'em all — en masse!

What should you do when the next nest migration happens?

Pokémon don't seem to migrate according to any specific pattern. So, after a migration happens, get out and discover what new Pokémon are at your local nests. Sometimes a previously great nest will go bad, and sometimes a common nest will start spawning rares. The only way to tell is to visit it a few times and see what pops up frequently or in number.

Then, do all your fellow players a solid, and report your findings.

2017 Pokémon Go Events: The potentials!

Based on past events, there are a few guesses we can make about future events. First, regional holidays don't mean regional events. Halloween isn't an internationally observed occasion but the event was worldwide. U.S. Thanksgiving is only celebrated in the U.S., but was likewise a worldwide event. Granted, Pokémon Go is developed by a U.S. company, but it does indicate that other regional holidays could provide the impetus for other worldwide events.

Also, Pokémon Go has multiple levers to pull. The game can increase rewards, like candy, XP, and stardust. It can decrease requirements, like walking distance. It can increase spawn rates for all or specific Pokémon, like pink colored Pokémon or water-types, and create limited edition Pokémon just for events, like Party Hat Pikachu. It can also give away items or increase their duration, like 1-use Incubators or 8-hour Lures.

Pokémon Go can have events to aid in charitable causes, like the highly localized tsunami-relief event in Japan that featured Lapras or Snorlax exclusively for a week. There was also an event simply to promote the new streaks and bonuses. So, if they want to maintain momentum and there's too long a gap between proper occasions, Pokémon Go can invent their own.

Pokémon Go Earth Day Event around April 22?

Since Pokémon Go had a Water Festival Event in March, what's to stop them from having an Earth Day Event in April? (Close proximity to Easter aside.) Instead of an increase in water types, there could be an increase in ground and/or rock types. Instead of Shiny gold Magikarp, there could be Shiny Diglett or Geodude... or Shiny Rhyhorn?

Pokémon Go Anniversary Event around July 6?

Pokémon Go launched in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand on July 6, 2016. That makes July 6, 2017 the one year anniversary and prime time for an event.

What could that event look like? See the next entry!

Pokémon Go Legendaries and Mythicals in July?

Then, of course, there are the last remaining Gen 1 Pokémon still unseen in the game: The Great Birds, Mew, and Mewtwo. And now the new Gen 2 that have yet to be introduced: The Great Beasts, Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Celebi.

The Great Birds and Great Beasts sound like they'll be saved for a real-time event, where they're released at a specific time and place for those who gather for them.

When that'll happen, and how Mew and Mewtwo, Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Celebi will be handled, remain huge questions.

Niantic Japan has reportedly hinted at details concerning upcoming Pokémon Go events in general — there'll be more like the recent Water Event — and the long-awaited Legendary events in particular.

Here are the highlights, via Pokémon Go Hub:

• A huge event is planned for summer of 2017! The in-game mechanics for this event are currently being developed. Raids are rumored to be the mechanic in question.
• PvP, Trading and Raids are in development, but the release dates for these features are not yet finalised. Niantic confirmed that cooperative gameplay is coming this Spring.
• More small scale events like the Water Festival are planned throughout the year
• Niantic is working on partnering with local governments for large scale events and promotions, similar to how Lapras event was held in the Tohoku Region
• A new concept of a wearable device that brings AR closer to the real world is discussed, but it's development is held back by technology currently

Pokémon Go has mentioned co-op gameplay a number of times. It's assumed to be coming as part of the Gym battle redesign in the next quarterly update. Raids mechanics have also [reportedly[(https://www.reddit.com/r/TheSilphRoad/comments/63ydkf/the_silph_roads_apk_mine_of_v0610_is_complete_for/) been found in the code:

• "{0} lost a battle!"
• "{0} was defeated in battle!"
• "{0} fainted at the Gym!"
• "{0} is back after a hard battle!"
• "{0} was forced off the Gym!"
• "{0} has fought hard and returned!"
• "{0} is hungry!"
• "{0} needs a pick-me-up!"
• "{0} wants a berry!
• "{0} was victorious in battle!"
• "{0} has triumphed over your opponents!"
• "{0} defended the Gym!"
• "There's a raid about to start near you!"
• "A raid's going to start nearby!"
• "Nearby raid starting soon!"

Sounds great. What do you want to see?

Repeat events

During the first year, Pokémon Go held events for Halloween, the introduction of streak bonuses, Thanksgiving, the holidays, and New Year. There's no reason to believe at least most of those events won't be repeated this year.

Check out the recaps and links below to see what the previous events offered and what may be offered again soon.

Past Pokémon Go Events

The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. So, to look forward to the next Pokémon Go events, it's helpful to look back at the events that have already run.

PokémonGo Worldwide Bloom Event 2017 (Grass-type)

Pokémon Go held a worldwide bloom event from May 5 to May 8, 2017. During the event, grass-type Pokémon spawns were increased and Lures lasted for six hours.

More on the Pokémon Go grass event

Pokémon Go "Golden Week" Lure Event at McDonald's Japan

Pokémon Go held a Lure Event for "Golden Week" in Japan, from April 29 to May 7, 2017.

4月29日(土)から5月7日(日)の期間、国内のマクドナルド約2,500店舗の「ポケストップ」に花びらが舞い、ポケモンをたくさんゲットできる「ルアーモジュールコラボイベント」が開催されます！GOルデンウィークはマクドナルドへGO！ pic.twitter.com/IL7qv9Hjlz

— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) April 28, 2017

Rough translation, cleaned up from Google:

During the period from Saturday, April 29 to Sunday, May 7, the petals will dance at PokéStops located at about 2,500 local MacDonald's. The "Lure module collaboration event" will be held so that you can get a lot of Pokemon! GO Golden Week goes to McDonald's GO!

Unlike the American Thanksgiving event, which was made international, this event was Japan-only, with McDonald's Japan footing the bill.

Pokémon Go and Knight Foundation on May 7, 2017

Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon Go and Ingress, and the Knight Foundation, and organization focused on community engagement, announced an ongoing partnership that hopes to use location and augmented-reality based gaming to help bring neighborhoods and neighbors together.

The first event was set for May 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of the Open Streets 704 event in a 2.5-mile area. 16 PokéStops and two Gyms, selected by the City of Charlotte at significant sites along the route, were offer increased spawns to help make it exciting and engaging for everyone.

There are some reports that the event wasn't well organized and that many weren't pleased the only thing they got for participating was a set of stickers. Others seem to have really liked it. Either way, I hope we see many more of these, and like these, going forward.

Pokémon Go Spring / Easter Event 2017

The Pokémon Go Spring Even lasted from April 13 to April 20, 2017. During the event, you got double XP, extra candy from egg hatches, and many 5 KM and 10 KM Pokémon began hatching from 2 KM eggs, including Lapras and Aerodactyl. Lucky Eggs were also offered at 50% in the Pokémon Go Shop.

[More on the Pokémon Go Spring / Easter Event)

Pokémon Go Water Festival 2017

The Pokémon Go Water Festival was done to help raise awareness for various global water days and weeks. During the festival, water-type Pokémon spawned at a much-increased rate, often replacing the typical common and rare spawns almost completely. And yes, that included Lapras!

In addition, a Magikarp hat was made available for trainers to wear, and Shiny Pokémon were introduced into Pokémon Go for the first time in the form of gold Magikarp and red Gyarados.

More on the Pokémon Go Water Festival Event

More on Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go Snorlax in Japan Event 2017

Similar to last fall's Lapras event, Japan's Kumamoto region is getting a Snorlax event to help bolster tourism following the earthquake of 2016.

熊本県全域、及び大分県由布市、別府市で、カビゴンが現れやすくなるとの情報が届きました。ポケモンのふえに起こされたのでしょうか？この現象は3/4から3/13まで続くようです！現地は復興作業が続いている地域、場所がございます。危険な場所には立ち入らず、熊本、大分を楽しんでくださいね！ pic.twitter.com/24SbqeLuOI

— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) March 2, 2017

Here's an approximate translation:

We've received information that in the Kumamoto prefecture and in Oita prefecture, Yufu city and Beppu city, Snorlax has begun appearing more frequently. Was it roused by the Pokémon flute? The phenomenon is expected to continue from March 4 to March 13. There are areas and places where local reconstruction work is continuing. Do not enter a dangerous place. Otherwise, please enjoy Kumamoto and Oita!

If you're in Japan or have wanted to go to Japan, and Snorlax is still on your must-get list, now's the time to go!

Pokémon Day from February 26 to March 6, 2017

The Pokémon Day event saw Pokémon Go join the larger festivities by offering a special, limited edition Pikachu in a festive hat that could be caught from February 26 at 1:00 p.m. PST to March 6 at 1:00 p.m. PST.

More on the Pokémon Day event and Party Hat Pikachu

Pokémon Go Valentine's Day Event 2017

Pokémon Go ran a Valentine's Day event for a whole week! That's right, from February 8 to February 15, 2017.

During the Valentine's event there was double candy, half walking distances, increased spawning rates for pink Pokémon, and Lures that lasted six hours.

More about the Pokémon Go Valentine's event

Pokémon Go Holiday & New Year Events 2016/2017

The Pokémon Go Holiday & New Year Events overlapped, the holiday part running from December 25 through January 3, 2017 and the New Year part, December 30 through January 8.

During the holiday part, it offered and increased spawn rate for limited-time Santa Pikachu, an increased chances of hatching Gen 2 babies Cleffa, Igglybuff, Togepi, Smoochum, Elekid, or Magby, and a free 1-time Incubator from the first PokéStop spin of the day.

During the New Year part, it offered Increased spawn rate for Gen 1 Starter Pokémon and their evolutions, Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise, and Lures lasting twice as long.

More about the Pokémon Go Holiday and New Year Events

Pokémon Go Thanksgiving Event 2016

The Pokémon Go Thanksgiving Event ran from November 23rd through November 30th. It offered Double XP and Stardust for catching, hatching, and evolving Pokémon.

More about the Pokémon Go Thanksgiving Event

Pokémon Go Lapras in Japan Event 2016

From November 11 to November 23, 2016, Pokémon Go made Lapras easier to find in the Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures of Japan. It was an attempt to help bring tourism back to the region following the earthquake earlier in the year.

皆さんにお知らせです。岩手県、宮城県、福島県の沿岸部でラプラスが出現しやすくなっていることが確認されました。この現象は11/23まで続くようです。東北の今を感じる旅に是非おでかけください！きっとPokémon GO以外でも素敵な発見がたくさんあると思います。 pic.twitter.com/1VPBngRU6v

— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) November 11, 2016

Rough translation:

Listen up everyone! It has been confirmed that Lapras is now easier to find in the coastal regions of Iwata, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures. The phenomenon will continue until November 23. Please go out and journey in Tohoku! There are many wonderful discoveries to be made beyond Pokémon Go.

Pokémon Go Halloween Event 2016

The Pokémon Go Halloween Event ran from October 26 through November 1. It offered double candy for catching, hatching, and transferring Pokémon, and cut the distance for walking Buddy Pokémon down to 1/4. Increased spawn rates were also offered for Zubat, Golbat, Drowzee, Hypno, Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Cubone, Marowak, Meowth, and Persian.

More about the Pokémon Go Halloween Event

What Pokémon Go events do you want to see?

If you were planning the next big Pokémon Go event, when would you have it and how would you handle it?