October is upon us, which means new events are just around the corner in Pokemon Go. The mobile game is entering the second month of its Twilight Trails season with some appropriately spooky events over the next few weeks, including Zorua Community Day and a two-part Halloween celebration.
That’s certainly not all that’s happening this month. A variety of legendary and Mega Pokemon are returning to Raid Battles as well, while fall-themed Pokemon are taking center stage for this month’s Spotlight Hours.
A few new Pokemon are also making their debut in October, including Bramblin and Gigantamax Cinderace, while Astronaut Pikachu is landing in as part of a special World Space Week event. You can read more about everything going on in the game this month below.
October Raid Schedule
Pokemon Go is shaking up its Raid rotations once again in October.
Five-star Raids will see the return of several fan-favorite legendaries. Xerneas and Yveltal will appear during the first half of the month, with Dialga, Palkia, and Origin Forme Giratina following during the latter half.
Mega Raids, meanwhile, will feature the recently introduced Mega Victreebel and Mega Dragonite, along with Mega Blastoise, Mega Charizard X and Y, and Mega Sableye. Shadow Incarnate Forme Landorus will also appear this month as a Shadow Raid boss, while a handful of Dynamax Pokemon will rotate in and out of Max Battles.
You can see October’s full Raid schedule below:
Five-Star Raids
- Xerneas (September 30-October 6)
- Yveltal (October 7-13)
- Dialga (October 14-20)
- Palkia (October 21-27)
- Origin Forme Giratina (October 28-November 3)
Mega Raids
- Mega Victreebel (September 30-October 6)
- Mega Blastoise (October 7–13)
- Mega Dragonite (October 14-20)
- Mega Charizard X (October 21-27)
- Mega Charizard Y (October 21-27)
- Mega Sableye (October 28-November 3)
Max Battles
- Dynamax Sobble (September 28-October 4)
- Dynamax Sizzlipede (October 5-11)
- Dynamax Rookidee (October 12-18)
- Dynamax Sneasel (October 19-25)
- Dynamax Sableye (October 26-November 1)
Shadow Raids
- Shadow Incarnate Forme Thundurus (September 9-October 6)
- Shadow Incarnate Forme Landorus (October 7-November 3)
October Spotlight Hours
Pokemon Go is holding more Spotlight Hour events in October.
Every Thursday evening from 6-7 PM local time, one particular species of Pokemon will appear in the wild more frequently, making this a good opportunity to fill in any missing gaps in your Pokedex, as well as stock up on candy.
On top of that, a different bonus will be available during each Spotlight Hour. You’ll earn extra rewards for completing certain actions during the event, like additional XP or Stardust for catching Pokemon.
You can see October’s full Spotlight Hour schedule below:
October 1
- Spotlight Pokemon: Seedot
- Bonus: 2x catch XP
October 8
- Spotlight Pokemon: Elgyem
- Bonus: 2x catch candy
October 15
- Spotlight Pokemon: Stufful
- Bonus: 2x transfer candy
October 22
- Spotlight Pokemon: Morelull
- Bonus: 2x catch Stardust
October 29
- Spotlight Pokemon: Gastly
- Bonus: 2x evolution XP
Harvest Festival: Taken Over
Team Go Rocket is crashing the Harvest Festival from October 2-5, and this time, they’ll have some new Shadow Pokemon in tow.
Throughout the takeover, Rocket grunts will appear more frequently at PokeStops and in hot air balloons, and for the first time, they’ll be commanding Shadow versions of Wimpod, Fomantis, Sandygast, and other Pokemon.
Team Go Rocket boss Giovanni will also make an appearance. Level up your Go Pass during the event and you’ll earn a Super Rocket Radar, which will allow you to battle the evil team leader and save his latest Shadow Pokemon: Shadow Zekrom.
On top of the increased Rocket activity, certain Pokemon like Koffing, Slugma, and Magmar will appear in the wild more frequently than usual, and shiny Shroodle will be available for the first time. As an added bonus, Pokemon that you catch from Shadow Raids will have more varied stats, and you’ll be able to use a Charged TM on a Shadow Pokemon to replace the move Frustration.
Featured Pokemon
Wild Encounters
- Koffing
- Slugma
- Numel
- Magmar
Shadow Pokemon
- Shadow Wimpod
- Shadow Fomantis
- Shadow Sandygast
Bonuses
- Increased chance to encounter shiny Slugma
- Team Go Rocket will appear more frequently at PokeStops and in hot air balloons
- Use a Charged TM to help a Shadow Pokemon forget Frustration
- Pokemon caught from one- and three-star Shadow Raids will have a wider variance of Attack, Defense, and HP
Gigantamax Cinderace Max Battle Day
A new Gigantamax Pokemon is making its debut during Pokemon Go’s next Max Battle Day on October 3.
Gigantamax Cinderace will appear as a six-star Max Battle boss from 2-5 PM local time, making this your first opportunity to battle and catch one. Not only that, but there’s also a chance the Cinderace you encounter may be shiny.
As usual, a handful of bonuses will be available during the event, as well. More Power Spots will be active than usual, and they’ll refresh more frequently and distribute more Max Particles. You’ll also be able to participate in more Remote Raids from October 2-3.
Bonuses
- Max Particle collection limit increased to 1,600
- All Power Spots will host Gigantamax Battles
- Power Spots will refresh more frequently
- Additional Power Spots will be active
- Receive 8x Max Particles from Power Spots
- Make up to three Special Trades for the day
- Daily Remote Raid limit increased from 10 to 20 (October 2-3)
- Earn 2x Max Particles from exploring
- 1/4 adventuring distance to receive Max Particles
World Space Week 2026
Pokemon Go is celebrating World Space Week with a special event from October 4-10.
As part of the festivities, a new costumed Pokemon is blasting into the game: Astronaut Pikachu. You’ll be able to encounter one as a Raid boss or by completing Timed Research tasks. There’s also a chance you’ll come across a shiny Astronaut Pikachu.
Zorua Community Day
This month’s Community Day takes place October 10 and stars the mischievous fox Pokemon Zorua.
From 2-5 PM local time, Zorua will appear in the wild more frequently than usual, though you may not notice it at first. The tricky fox will be disguised as whichever Pokemon you currently have set as your buddy, so keep an eye out for doppelgangers on the map.
On top of the increased spawn rate, you’ll have higher odds of encountering shiny Zorua during the event, as well as one that has a special background. You’ll also be able to draw more Zorua out of hiding when you use a Lure Module.
As with other Community Day Pokemon, Zorua’s evolved form Zoroark will be able to learn a special move as well. Each Zorua that you evolve before 9 PM local time will automatically know the Fast Attack Sucker Punch.
Finally, a few bonuses will be active during the event. You’ll earn triple XP and double candy when you catch Pokemon, and any Incense and Lure Modules that you use will remain active longer than usual. Trades will also require half as much Stardust, and you’ll be able to make an additional Special Trade for the day.
Bonuses
- 3x XP for catching Pokemon
- 2x candy for catching Pokemon
- 2x chance to receive candy XL from catching Pokemon (players level 31 and up)
- Incense will last for three hours
- Lure Modules will last for one hour and attract the featured Pokemon
- Players can make one additional Special Trade for the day
- Trades will cost 50 percent less Stardust
Fall Marathon: Buddy Trek
Get your hiking shoes ready, because Pokemon Go is holding a Buddy Trek from October 13-19.
Making its debut during the event is the haunted tumbleweed Bramblin. You’ll be able to encounter the grass/ghost Pokemon when you use Incense or complete Go Pass tasks.
Other Pokemon like Galarian Ponyta, Hoppip, Hisuian Growlithe, and Nincada will also be lured out by Incense at different points during the event, while Doduo, Blitzle, Skarmory, and more will appear more frequently in the wild. In addition, Mega Manectric is getting a power boost; beginning with this event, you’ll be able to increase its Mega Level up to Super Max Level.
Beyond that, free Field and Timed Research will also be available during the event, as will several bonuses. You’ll have increased odds of encountering shiny versions of Electrike and Hisuian Growlithe, and you can unlock additional bonuses by hitting different Go Pass milestones, such as extra Mega Energy when you explore with Electrike or Manectric.
Featured Pokemon
Wild Encounters
- Ponyta
- Doduo
- Electrike
- Blitzle
- Skarmory
Incense Encounters
October 13-16
- Galarian Ponyta
- Hoppip
- Electrike
- Dwebble
- Bramblin
October 16-19
- Hisuian Growlithe
- Nincada
- Electrike
- Helioptile
- Bramblin
Bonuses
- Increased chance to encounter shiny Electrike
- Increased chance to encounter shiny Hisuian Growlithe via Incense (from October 16-19)
Go Pass Milestones
- Tier 1: Incense activated during the event will last for two hours
- Tier 2: Earn 5x Mega Energy by exploring with Electrike or Manectric set as your buddy, after you’ve Mega Evolved Manectric at least once
Sandile Hatch Day
Pokemon Go’s next Hatch Day event takes place October 17 and features the adorable desert croc Sandile.
From 11 AM to 5 PM local time, Sandile will hatch more frequently from 2 km eggs. Not only that, but you’ll also have increased odds of hatching a shiny Sandile during the event hours.
A few bonuses will be active as well. Eggs will hatch at half the distance they typically require, and you’ll earn double candy when you hatch one. You’ll also be more likely to receive 2 km eggs when you spin PokeStops.
Bonuses
- 2x candy for hatching eggs
- 1/2 egg hatch distance
- Increased chance of hatching shiny Sandile
- Increased chance of receiving 2 km eggs from spinning PokeStops
Dynamax Max Battle Day
Pokemon Go is hosting a second Max Battle Day this month on October 24. More details will be announced closer to the event.
Halloween 2026: Part I
The first part of Pokemon Go’s annual Halloween event takes place October 27-31.
Super Mega Raid Day
A spooky new Mega-Evolved Pokemon arrives on October 31 as part of another Super Mega Raid Day.
Halloween 2026: Part II
The second portion of this year’s Halloween event runs from November 1-5.
