August marks the final month of Pokemon Go's "Forever Forward" season, bringing a series of events, Pokemon debuts, and returning raid bosses. Players can anticipate the arrival of Gigantamax Rillaboom and Mega Starmie, alongside summer-themed festivities like the Arctic Embers event and a Water Festival. The month's schedule also includes new Raid bosses, Spotlight Hours, and a special event tied to the 2026 Pokemon World Championships.
August Raid Schedule
The month's raid offerings will feature a rotation of legendary and Mega-Evolved Pokemon. Following Kyurem's departure on August 4, the regional legendary lake trio—Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf—will appear in five-star raids from August 5 to 11. Groudon and Lunala will follow in subsequent weeks, with the Regi trio (Regirock, Regice, and Registeel) taking over from August 26 through September 8. Mega Raids will cycle through Mega Aggron, Mega Blaziken, Mega Garchomp, Mega Swampert, and Mega Gyarados. All month long, Shadow Altered Forme Giratina will be available as a Shadow Raid boss.
In addition to Pokemon raids, Max Battles will feature Dynamax Magmar, Beldum, Magikarp, Hitmontop, and Eevee throughout August.
Spotlight Hours and Special Events
Pokemon Go's Spotlight Hour events will continue every Thursday from 6 to 7 PM local time. August's schedule includes Delibird on August 6 with 2x catch Stardust, Wurmple on August 13 with 2x evolution XP, Magikarp on August 20 with 2x catch XP, and Mankey on August 27 with 2x catch candy.
The month kicks off with a Gigantamax Rillaboom Max Battle Day on August 1, from 2 to 5 PM local time, featuring Gigantamax Rillaboom as a six-star Max Battle boss and increased Max Particle collection. Remote Raid limits will also be temporarily increased to 20 for July 31 and August 1.
From August 4 to 10, the Arctic Embers event will feature fire- and ice-type Pokemon in the wild and from eggs, with bonuses tied to Go Pass tiers, including reduced egg hatch distances and increased PokeStop spinning XP.
A Fire and Ice Hatch Day on August 8 will increase the appearance rates of Smoochum and Magby from 2 km eggs, and Larvesta from 5 km eggs, offering 2x candy and half egg hatch distance.
The monthly Community Day will focus on the dark-type fox Pokemon Nickit on August 16. During this event, Nickit will appear more frequently in the wild, with increased shiny odds and its evolved form, Thievul, learning the exclusive Charged Attack Icy Wind. Bonuses include triple Stardust and double candy for catching Pokemon, longer-lasting Lure Modules and Incense, and reduced Stardust cost for trades.
Ultra Unlock Events
Pokemon Go will host two Ultra Unlock events. The first, a Water Festival, runs from August 18 to 24, increasing the spawns of water-type Pokemon and introducing Arrokuda and Cramorant. This event will feature various bonuses, including increased XP and Stardust for catching Pokemon on different days, and rewards for Go Pass holders.
Following the Water Festival, an Ultra Unlock: Starmie Super Mega Raid Day on August 22 will mark the debut of Mega Starmie in raids from 11 AM to 5 PM local time. The event will offer additional raid XP, increased chances for XL candy, and a higher chance of encountering shiny Starmie.
2026 Pokemon World Championships Celebration
To conclude the month, Pokemon Go will celebrate the 2026 Pokemon World Championships with a special event scheduled from August 25 to 30. Further details regarding this event are expected to be announced later in August.