Pokemon Go free Kanto Celebration announced – start date & time, spawn rates, Raids, more

Brent Koepp
Screenshot of Pokemon Go Kanto Celebration.

Pokemon Go is getting a free Kanto celebration. The special event takes place after the Kanto Tour and is free for all users. Here is everything you need to know.

Go is gearing up to celebrate the Pokemon series’ 25th anniversary with the Kanto Tour on February 20. The special event costs players $11.99 to participate, and has them re-visiting all 151 monsters from Gen I.

In a surprise announcement on February 11, Niantic revealed a secondary Kanto celebration that will be free to all users. The limited-time festivity will also help Trainers help complete their Red & Green tasks and Challenges.

Screenshot of Pokemon Go Kanto Tour.
The February 20 Kanto Tour is basically now extended by a week.

Pokemon Go Kanto Celebration date & start time

The second celebration will kick off on February 21 at 10:00AM and last until February 27 at 8:00PM local time. Unlike the Kanto Tour, it will cost absolutely nothing to participate in.

Players who log in during the limited time will not only encounter Gen I Pokemon with boosted spawn rates, but will also have Special Research that will lead to rare encounters & Stardust.

According to Niantic, the second event will not only allow more players to participate, but exists to also help Kanto Tour ticket holders complete their tasks and Challenges, which will carry over.

Pokemon Go Kanto Celebration features

  • Boosted Spawn Rates: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Weedle, Pikachu, Geodude, Clefairy, Psyduck, Slowpoke, Gastly, Voltorb, Magikarp.
  • Pokemon attracted to Incense: Caterpie, Pidgey, Spearow, Poliwag, Abra, Seel, Machop, Krabby, Exeggcute, Horsea, Goldeen.
  • 5KM Eggs: Oddish, Bellsprout, Tangela, Dratini, Pichu, Elekid, Magby.
  • Event-exclusive Field Research: Stardust, Doduo, Magnemite, Diglett, Omanyte, Kabuto, Snorlax, Jigglypuff, and Clefairy.
Screenshot of Mewtwo & Legendary Bird Trio raid in Pokemon Go.
Players can encounter Legendaries such as Mewtwo in the free event.

Pokemon Go Kanto Celebration Raids

1-Star

  • Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Magikarp, and Dratini.

3-Star

  • Scyther, Pinsir, Machoke, Kadabra, Haunter, Graveler, and Lapras.

5-Star

  • Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo.

Pokemon Go Kanto Celebration Community Day moves

Trainers who evolve any of the Pokemon to the evolutions listed below will get a special Community Day move. These powerful attacks can only be learned during special occasions, making these ‘mon stronger then their regular versions.

  • Venusaur: Frenzy Plant.
  • Charizard: Blast Burn.
  • Blastoise: Hydro Cannon.
  • Pikachu: Surf.
  • Eeveelutions: Last Resort.
  • Dragonite: Draco Meteor.
Screenshot of Pokemon Go Dratini and Dragonite dex.
Pokemon such as Dragonite will get special Community Day moves if evolved during the event.

While the second celebration doesn’t have the Shiny Ditto and Mew rewards featured in the Kanto Tour, $11.99 is a steep price for many Trainers.

If nothing else, the free event gives the entire community a chance to celebrate the Pokemon franchise’s 25th anniversary in the hit mobile title.

About The Author

Brent is a former writer at Dexerto based in the United States, who covered topics such as Pokemon, Gaming, and online Entertainment.