Niantic has announced the return of the Festival of Lights to Pokémon GO, lighting up the game with special event bonuses and exclusive regional encounters. This year’s celebration is exclusive to Trainers in India, running from Saturday, October 18, at 10:00 a.m. to Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Pikachu in Traditional Attire
For this year’s event, players in India will once again encounter two special Pikachu variants — Pikachu wearing a saree and Pikachu wearing a kurta. These culturally inspired Pokémon are making a stylish return, appearing in raids, Field Research tasks, and as Timed Research rewards. Lucky Trainers might even find their Shiny versions.
Event Bonuses
During the Festival of Lights, Trainers can enjoy several bonuses designed to enhance gameplay:
- 2× Stardust for catching Pokémon.
- 2× Incense duration (excluding Daily Adventure Incense).
- Event-themed stickers featuring Pikachu in traditional outfits, obtainable from PokéStops.
Pokémon Attracted to Incense
Throughout the event, specific Pokémon will appear more frequently when using Incense, including:
Ponyta, Chinchou, Volbeat, Litwick, Morelull, and Tadbulb.
As always, some lucky players may encounter their Shiny forms.
Raids and Field Research
Both Pikachu wearing a saree and Pikachu wearing a kurta will be featured in raids and available as rewards from Festival of Lights–themed Field Research tasks. These special encounters give players multiple chances to collect both versions.
Collection Challenge and Timed Research
Players can complete Collection Challenges tied to the event to earn a Premium Raid Pass, Stardust, and XP. Additionally, a branching Timed Research offers a choice between paths — rewarding either Pikachu wearing a saree or Pikachu wearing a kurta — along with other rewards like Rare Candy and Poké Balls.
Some Pokémon attracted to Incense will also glow during the event, adding a radiant touch to the celebration.
