Pokémon Go’s Kanto Celebration (Sept 2–7): Legacy Moves Return, Triple Mega Time, Daily Timed Research — Dynamax Birds for $4.99

Pokémon Go’s Kanto Celebration event runs from Sept. 2 to Sept. 7 and brings a stack of Kanto-focused bonuses, timed tasks, and boosted spawns. Expect Mega bonuses, guaranteed Candy XL on evolutions, daily Timed Research, and a paid Special Research that hands out a Dynamax legendary.

• Timed Research and daily rewards
• ‘Kanto Legends’ premium Special Research
• Collection Challenge
• Field Research tasks and rewards
• Boosted spawns during the event

Event highlights

First, the concrete perks: Mega Evolution duration is tripled for the three Kanto Mega evolutions. Also, when you evolve a Pokémon during the event you get one guaranteed Candy XL. In addition, PokéStops give double XP during the event window.

Moreover, the three Kanto starter Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle) will photobomb Trainer photos. Importantly, those starters will learn their legacy moves again: Frenzy Plant for Venusaur, Blast Burn for Charizard, and Hydro Cannon for Blastoise. Finally, the event stacks with the ongoing XP Celebration XP bonuses.

Pokémon Go ‘Kanto Celebration’: Timed Research and reward

Each day of the event introduces a new Timed Research that rewards one of Kanto’s regional Pokémon. These timed tasks rotate daily at 10 a.m. local time, so log in each morning if you want every encounter for your Pokédex.

‘Kanto Celebration: Near and Farfetch’d’ Timed Research (Sept. 2–3)

• Catch 50 Pokémon — 5,000 XP
• Use 10 Razz Berries to help catch Pokémon — 25 Venusaur Mega Energy
• Use 10 Pinap Berries to help catch Pokémon — 25 Charizard Mega Energy
• Use 10 Nanab Berries to help catch Pokémon — 25 Blastoise Mega Energy
• Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms — 10 Ultra Balls

Research completion reward: a Farfetch’d encounter, 5,000 Stardust, and 5,000 XP.

‘Kanto Legends’ premium Special Research

For $4.99, Niantic is selling the ‘Kanto Legends’ Special Research. Unlike timed tickets, this is permanent in your account after purchase. The headline rewards are the Dynamax versions of the Kanto legendary birds.

‘Kanto Legends’ — Step 1 of 3

• Catch 151 Pokémon — 2 Silver Pinap Berries
• Use 151 berries to help catch Pokémon — 2 Golden Razz Berries
• Spin 51 PokéStops or Gyms — 10,000 XP
• Collect MP from 15 Power Spots — 10,000 Stardust

Step 1 rewards: a Dynamax Articuno encounter, 30 Articuno Candy, and 3 Articuno Candy XL.

Step 2 details were not available at the time of this guide and will be added when Niantic publishes them.

Pokémon Go ‘Kanto Celebration’ Collection Challenge

The event includes a ‘First Partner’ Collection Challenge that runs for the event duration. Complete this to earn Mega Energy for all three Kanto starter Megas.

• Catch a Bulbasaur; evolve it to Ivysaur; evolve Ivysaur to Venusaur
• Catch a Charmander; evolve it to Charmeleon; evolve Charmeleon to Charizard
• Catch a Squirtle; evolve it to Wartortle; evolve Wartortle to Blastoise

Collection reward: 100 Venusaur Mega Energy, 100 Charizard Mega Energy, and 100 Blastoise Mega Energy.

Pokémon Go ‘Kanto Celebration’ Field Research and rewards

Spinning PokéStops during the event can yield special Field Research tasks. These tasks give encounters, Mega Energy, Stardust, and item rewards.

• Catch 5 Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle — encounter with that starter
• Catch 8 Pokémon — 1,000 Stardust
• Evolve a Pokémon — 1 Rare Candy
• Mega Evolve a Venusaur, Charizard, or Blastoise — 10,000 XP
• Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms — 10 Venusaur/Charizard/Blastoise Mega Energy
• Use 5 berries to help catch Pokémon — 10 Poké Balls, 5 Great Balls, or 2 Ultra Balls

Pokémon Go ‘Kanto Celebration’ boosted spawns

Niantic’s event notes list a few boosted spawns and add that there are more. Officially called out were Chansey, Snorlax, and Abra.

Players have also reported seeing additional boosted Pokémon, including:

• Bulbasaur
• Charmander
• Squirtle
• Weedle
• Pidgey
• Slowpoke
• Gastly
• Magikarp

That covers the confirmed tasks, rewards, and spawns for the Kanto Celebration event. Play during Sept. 2–7 to take advantage of the bonuses and to collect the daily Timed Research encounters.