Pokemon Go 4th Anniversary Celebration: Everything You Need to Know

Trainers, it’s been almost four years since Pokemon Go first launched in July of 2016. To celebrate, Pokemon Go is hosting a fourth-anniversary celebration event that just so happens to coincide with the first set of weekly challenges that will be released ahead of Pokemon Go Fest 2020.

There will be three sets of weekly challenges released ahead of Pokemon Go Fest. Every trainer will be able to access them, even if they haven’t purchased a ticket to the virtual event.

Each weekly challenge will have a different theme, and it will allow you to complete a series of Timed Research tasks to receive a variety of in-game rewards. Plus, if enough players from each of the game’s three teams (Valor, Mystic, and Instinct) complete each set of Timed Challenges, specific Pokemon will appear during Pokemon Go Fest.

The first weekly challenge (and the Pokemon Go fourth-anniversary celebration) will run from July 3 at 8 a.m. local time until July 8 at 10 p.m. local time.

Here’s everything that’s happening as part of the game’s anniversary event:

• Flying-type Pokemon will appear in the wild, in Raids, and be available to hatch from Eggs that are collected during this event.
• You may run into Shiny Pidove.
• Pokemon wearing party hats will appear in the wild, in Raids, and be available to hatch from Eggs.
• Ducklett will make its in-game debut. You’ll be able to find it in the wild and in 5 km Eggs.
• Flying Pikachu will appear in the wild and in Raids.
• You’ll have the chance to encounter Shiny Flying Pikachu.
• If you never received the “Jump-Start Special Research” that was released for the game’s third birthday in 2019, it will be given to you during this event.
• In a news post, Niantic, the game’s developer, encouraged players to take a “snapshot” during this event “for a surprise.”

The first Pokemon Go Fest Weekly Challenge has the theme of “Skill.” Here’s everything you need to know about it:

• There will be three sets of Timed Research tasks to complete. If you complete all three, you’ll earn encounters with Ducklett and Flying Pikachu, as well as a Star Piece and other rewards.
• If one million trainers from Team Instinct complete this week’s series of Timed Research tasks, Chimecho will appear during Pokemon Go Fest.
• If one million trainers from Team Mystic complete the tasks, Alomomola will appear during Pokemon Go Fest.
• If one million trainers from Team Valor complete the tasks, Chansey will appear during Pokemon Go Fest.
• When you complete the Timed Research tasks in this first Weekly Challenge, you’ll receive access to the “Go Fest Elite Skill Challenge.” Niantic said this is “a set of difficult tasks that you can complete to earn personal bragging rights!” You will not be required to complete these tasks in order for your participation to count toward your team’s goal.

Finally, a Ho-Oh Raid Weekend will take place during this celebration. Ho-Oh will appear in Tier-5 Raids from July 3 at 8 a.m. local time until July 6 at 10 p.m. local time.

Are you excited about this first week of challenges leading up to Pokemon Go Fest 2020? Let us know on Twitter at @superparenthq.