Pokemon Go‘s global Go Fest has arrived, and this year’s event is a big one. For the first time in the game’s history, all players who log in during the festivities will receive access to a new Special Research that leads to an encounter with the mythical Pokemon Zeraora.
That’s not all that players can look forward to this weekend. Mewtwo’s Mega-Evolved forms are also making their debut, and different wild Pokemon and Raid bosses will appear throughout the weekend as part of the game’s rotating habitats.
On top of that, the game will offer a variety of bonuses, challenges, and more this weekend. To help get you up to speed, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about Pokemon Go Fest 2026 below.
Pokemon Go Fest 2026 Schedule
This year’s global Pokemon Go Fest takes place on July 10 and 11. The event kicks off each day at 10 AM local time and runs until 7 PM local time.
Unlike previous Go Fests, which restricted access to certain content behind a paid ticket, this year’s event will be completely free for all players. Anyone who logs in to the game during the event days will receive the Zeraora Special Research and be able to take advantage of the full slate of event bonuses, including increased odds of encountering shiny Pokemon.
Mega Mewtwo Raids
Making their debut during this year’s Go Fest are Mewtwo’s two Mega-Evolved forms: Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y. Each will appear as Super Mega Raid bosses throughout both days of the event, making this your first chance to battle them and earn Mewtwo Mega Energy.
Like standard Mewtwo, Mega Mewtwo Y is a pure psychic Pokemon, so you can employ the same strategy when challenging one. Mega Mewtwo X, however, is a psychic/fighting type, so it will require a different approach than the other Mewtwo forms.
Here are some recommended counters to help you topple the new Raid bosses:
Best Mega Mewtwo X Counters
Fairy
| Pokemon | Type | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
| Mega Gardevoir | Psychic/Fairy | Charm | Dazzling Gleam |
| Xerneas | Fairy | Geomancy | Moonblast |
| Tapu Lele | Psychic/Fairy | Astonish | Nature’s Madness |
| Crowned Sword Zacian | Fairy/Steel | Metal Claw | Play Rough |
| Enamorus | Fairy/Flying | Fairy Wind | Dazzling Gleam |
Ghost
| Pokemon | Type | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
| Giratina | Ghost/Dragon | Shadow Claw | Shadow Force |
| Chandelure | Ghost/Fire | Hex | Shadow Ball |
| Lunala | Psychic/Ghost | Shadow Claw | Shadow Ball |
| Dragapult | Dragon/Ghost | Astonish | Shadow Ball |
| Gholdengo | Ghost/Steel | Hex | Shadow Ball |
Best Mega Mewtwo Y Counters
Dark
| Pokemon | Type | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
| Mega Houndoom | Fire/Dark | Snarl | Foul Play |
| Mega Tyranitar | Rock/Dark | Bite | Brutal Swing |
| Mega Absol | Dark | Snarl | Brutal Swing |
| Darkrai | Dark | Snarl | Shadow Ball |
| Hydreigon | Dragon/Dark | Bite | Brutal Swing |
Bug
| Pokemon | Type | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
| Mega Pinsir | Bug/Flying | Fury Cutter | X-Scissor |
| Mega Scizor | Bug/Steel | Fury Cutter | X-Scissor |
| Escavalier | Bug/Steel | Bug Bite | Megahorn |
| Volcarona | Bug/Fire | Bug Bite | Bug Buzz |
| Genesect | Bug/Steel | Fury Cutter | X-Scissor |
Zeraora Special Research
In addition to Mewtwo’s Mega forms, the mythical Zeraora officially arrives during this year’s Go Fest.
The Thunderclap Pokemon will be the star of a new Special Research, which all players will receive upon logging in to the game during the event. Complete the Research’s various tasks and you’ll eventually unlock an encounter with Zeraora, making this your only way to get one so far in Pokemon Go.
Like other Special Research stories, this questline does not expire, so you can take as long as you need to work your way through the tasks. As mentioned, however, you will need to log in to the game before Pokemon Go Fest ends to secure the Special Research.
Rotating Habitats
Like previous years, Pokemon Go Fest will feature several virtual “habitats” that will rotate every few hours. Depending upon which habitat is active, different types of Pokemon will spawn in the wild, and a different assortment of legendary and Mega Pokemon will appear in Gyms as Raid bosses.
You can see the full habitat schedule, along with a list of Pokemon that will be available while each one is active, below:
July 11
Stormfire Peaks
Runs 10 AM to 1 PM local time
Featured types
- Ice
- Electric
- Fire
Five-star Raids
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
- Raikou
- Entei
- Suicune
- Lugia
- Ho-Oh
Mega Raids
- Mega Ampharos
- Mega Blaziken
- Mega Abomasnow
Astral Tides
Runs 1 PM to 4 PM local time
Featured types
- Psychic
- Ghost
- Water
Five-star Raids
- Uxie (Asia-Pacific region)
- Mesprit (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India)
- Azelf (Americas and Greenland)
- Dialga
- Palkia
- Altered Forme Giratina
- Origin Forme Giratina
- Xerneas
- Yveltal
- Solgaleo
- Lunala
Mega Raids
- Mega Alakazam
- Mega Gengar
- Mega Swampert
Dragonflight Summit
Runs 4 PM to 7 PM local time
Featured types
- Flying
- Rock
- Dragon
Five-star Raids
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Rayquaza
- Reshiram
- Zekrom
- Kyurem
Mega Raids
- Mega Pidgeot
- Mega Aerodactyl
- Mega Salamence
July 12
Earthforged Domain
Runs 10 AM to 1 PM local time
Featured types
- Ground
- Steel
- Normal
Five-star Raids
- Regirock
- Regice
- Registeel
- Origin Forme Dialga
- Origin Forme Palkia
- Heatran
- Regigigas
- Incarnate Forme Tornadus
- Therian Forme Tornadus
- Incarnate Forme Thundurus
- Therian Forme Thundurus
- Incarnate Forme Landorus
- Therian Forme Landorus
- Regieleki
- Regidrago
- Incarnate Forme Enamorus
- Therian Forme Enamorus
Mega Raids
- Mega Metagross
- Mega Garchomp
- Mega Audino
Verdant Anomaly
Runs 1 PM to 4 PM local time
Featured types
- Poison
- Bug
- Grass
Five-star Raids
- Normal Forme Deoxys
- Attack Forme Deoxys
- Defense Forme Deoxys
- Speed Forme Deoxys
- Genesect
- Douse Drive Genesect
- Shock Drive Genesect
- Burn Drive Genesect
- Chill Drive Genesect
- Tapu Koko
- Tapu Lele
- Tapu Bulu
- Tapu Fini
- Nihilego
- Buzzwole (Americas and Greenland)
- Pheromosa (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India
- Xurkitree (Asia-Pacific region)
- Celesteela (Southern Hemisphere)
- Kartana (Northern Hemisphere)
- Guzzlord
- Necrozma
- Stakataka (Eastern Hemisphere)
- Blacephalon (Western Hemisphere)
Mega Raids
- Mega Beedrill
- Mega Pinsir
- Mega Sceptile
Twilight Battlefield
Runs 4 PM to 7 PM local time
Featured types
- Dark
- Fairy
- Fighting
Five-star Raids
- Latias
- Latios
- Cresselia
- Darkrai
- Cobalion
- Terrakion
- Virizion
- Zacian (Hero of Many Battles form)
- Zamazenta (Hero of Many Battles form)
Mega Raids
- Mega Tyranitar
- Mega Gardevoir
- Mega Lucario
Bonuses
Like other events, a slew of bonuses will be active throughout Pokemon Go Fest 2026, including increased shiny rates and extra free Raid Passes. You can see the full list of bonuses below:
- Increased chance of encountering shiny Pokemon
- Lure Modules will last for one hour
- Incense will attract special Pokemon
- Different themed Field Research tasks will be available every hour
- Global Challenges will unlock additional bonuses and Ultra Unlock events
- Receive up to nine free Raid Passes per day by spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms
- Make up to six Special Trades
- Trades will cost 50 percent less Stardust
- Open up to 50 gifts each day
Pokemon Go has plenty more events lined up this month beyond Go Fest 2026, including a special anniversary Pikachu celebration and a Super Mega Raid Day featuring both forms of Mega Raichu. You can see what else is happening in the game over the next few weeks in our July events roundup.
