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Pokemon Go Anniversary Event: Shadow Latios, Battle Weekend and More

The Pokemon mobile game is celebrating its sixth anniversary with a special event.

Kevin Knezevic Former staff writer
Kevin has been covering video games and tech since 2010, with a particular focus on Nintendo and Pokemon. Squirtle is the best starter and nothing will convince him otherwise.
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Kevin Knezevic
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Pokemon Go's anniversary event runs July 6-12.

 Niantic

This month marks six years since  Pokemon Go  first launched, and the game is celebrating with a special event. The anniversary event runs until July 12 and features a variety of special Pokemon to catch, including festive versions of Pikachu and Charizard, as well as a new Shadow legendary Pokemon.

Here's everything you need to know about Pokemon Go's anniversary celebration.

Event schedule

Pokemon Go's anniversary event begins at 10 a.m. local time on July 6 and runs until 8 p.m. local time on July 12.

Featured Pokemon

As mentioned, a few festive Pokemon will debut during the anniversary celebration. You'll be able to encounter a new cake costume Pikachu in the wild and one-star raids throughout the event. Party hat Charmander is also returning, and this time around, you'll be able to evolve it into party hat Charmeleon and Charizard. 

You can see all of the featured event Pokemon below:

Wild spawns

  • Bulbasaur
  • Party hat Charmander
  • Squirtle
  • Cake costume Pikachu
  • Machop
  • Ledyba
  • Ralts
  • Buneary
  • Gabite
  • Venipede
  • Pansear
  • Chespin
  • Fennekin
  • Froakie
  • Bunnelby
  • Litleo
  • Clauncher
  • Helioptile
  • Pikipek

One-star raids

  • Cake costume Pikachu
  • Dratini
  • Unown E
  • Pansear

Three-star raids

  • Venusaur
  • Party hat Charizard
  • Blastoise
  • Tyranitar
  • Metagross

Field Research encounters

  • Bulbasaur
  • Charmander
  • Squirtle
  • Chikorita
  • Cyndaquil
  • Totodile
  • Treecko
  • Torchic
  • Mudkip
  • Turtwig
  • Chimchar
  • Piplup
  • Snivy
  • Tepig
  • Oshawott
  • Chespin
  • Fennekin
  • Froakie
  • Rowlet
  • Litten
  • Popplio

New avatar items and stickers

Pokemon Go anniversary outfits and cake
Niantic

In addition to the featured spawns, Pokemon Go is introducing a handful of festive new avatar items during the anniversary event. These will be available to purchase even after the event concludes. On top of that, you'll be able to receive new anniversary stickers from PokeStops and gifts.

Battle Weekend

Shadow Latios with Giovanni

Giovanni is crashing the anniversary event with a new Shadow legendary Pokemon.

 Niantic

Team Go Rocket will be crashing the party during a mini Battle Weekend event, set to run from July 9 to July 10. During this weekend, Team Go Rocket grunts will appear in hot air balloons more frequently, and they'll have new Shadow Pokemon in tow. 

On top of that, Team Rocket boss Giovanni will make an appearance with a new Shadow legendary Pokemon at his command. If you defeat the villainous trainer in battle, you'll have a chance to rescue his Shadow Latios. There will also be a new Special Research story that will reward you with a Super Rocket Radar, which you'll need to challenge Giovanni.

Finally, as an Ultra Unlock bonus, you'll be able to get starter Pokemon with some special attacks. Evolve the following monsters during Battle Weekend and they'll learn previous Community Day moves:

Frenzy Plant

  • Bulbasaur
  • Chikorita
  • Treecko
  • Turtwig
  • Snivy

Blast Burn

  • Charmander
  • Cyndaquil
  • Torchic
  • Chimchar
  • Tepig

Hydro Cannon

  • Squirtle
  • Totodile
  • Mudkip
  • Piplup
  • Oshawott

Dragon Breath

  • Charmander

That's not all that's happening in Pokemon Go this month. The mobile game has a variety of event lined up for the next few weeks, including Starly Community Day and in-person Pokemon Go Fest gatherings. You can see everything going on this month in our July events roundup.