Pokémon GO: July 2025 – A Calendar Overflowing with Catch Opportunities and Celebrations

As the “Delightful Days” season of Pokémon GO strides confidently into its second month, July 2025 is poised to deliver an absolute deluge of in-game events. Niantic, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that players need not rest. Instead, they are presented with an ambitious schedule packed with everything from landmark anniversaries to new Pokémon debuts and a relentless cycle of powerful raid bosses. Prepare your Poké Balls, charge your devices, and perhaps consider a multi-vitamin, because this month is less a leisurely stroll and more a marathon sprint through the augmented reality world of Pokémon GO.

The Ninth Anniversary Bash: A Celebration and a Quest

Kicking off the month with considerable fanfare, Pokémon GO’s 9th Anniversary Party runs from July 1 to July 6. This isn`t just a casual get-together; it’s a full-blown jubilee. Players can look forward to the debut of Ivysaur and Venusaur sporting festive party hats – because who doesn`t love a Pokémon in formal wear? More intriguingly, a Gimmighoul clutching a special 9th-anniversary coin will make an appearance through Field Research tasks, offering a chance to finally encounter its shiny form. For the truly dedicated (and perhaps those with deep pockets), a paid Masterwork Research story, aptly named “Wish Granted,” promises the ultimate prize: a shiny Jirachi. It seems even mythical Pokémon are joining the festivities, albeit for a price.

• New Arrivals: Party hat Ivysaur and Venusaur, Gimmighoul (with 9th-anniversary coin).
• Research Highlight: “Wish Granted” Masterwork Research for shiny Jirachi.
• Bonuses Aplenty: Increased Lucky Friends and Lucky Pokémon chances, PokéStops may turn gold, increased shiny Pikachu/Eevee (hats), and a chance for 9 or 99 Gimmighoul coins. Friendship levels increase faster.
• Daily Rotating Bonuses: Half egg hatch distance (July 1-3), double catch XP (July 3-5), and double catch Stardust (July 5-6).

Raid Season Rundown: Legends, Megas, and Shadows

For those whose hearts beat to the rhythm of raid drums, July`s rotation is a powerhouse. The legendary Swords of Justice—Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion—take turns gracing five-star raids, joined by the cosmic duo Solgaleo and Lunala. Mega Raids see familiar titans like Mega Charizard X and Mega Blastoise return, alongside Mega Aggron and Mega Aerodactyl. And for the ultimate challenge, Shadow Registeel will loom as a weekend Shadow Raid boss, ensuring your weekends are anything but relaxing. Also, a variety of Dynamax Pokémon will appear in Max Battles throughout the month, just to keep things interesting.

Five-Star Raid Schedule:

• Cobalion: June 30 – July 8
• Solgaleo: July 8 – July 14
• Terrakion: July 14 – July 22
• Lunala: July 22 – July 28
• Virizion: July 28 – August 4

Mega Raid Schedule:

• Mega Aggron: June 30 – July 8
• Mega Charizard X: July 8 – July 14
• Mega Blastoise: July 14 – July 22
• Mega Venusaur: July 22 – July 28
• Mega Aerodactyl: July 28 – August 4

Shadow Raids:

• Shadow Registeel: Every weekend in July

Max Battles:

• Dynamax Shuckle: June 30 – July 6
• Dynamax Gastly: July 7 – July 13
• Dynamax Wailmer: July 14 – July 20
• Dynamax Darumaka: July 21 – July 27
• Dynamax Kabuto: July 28 – August 3

Spotlight on Tuesdays: Efficiency First

Your Tuesday evenings (6-7 PM local time) are reserved for Spotlight Hours, Niantic’s weekly reminder that catching and grinding are central to the Pokémon GO experience. Each week features a specific Pokémon with increased wild spawns and a unique bonus, making it an excellent opportunity to gather candy, earn XP, or simply fill out your Pokédex. It`s a precise, efficient system, perfect for the modern trainer on the go who values consistency.

• July 1: Party Hat Pikachu (2x catch Stardust) – Start the month with a glittery bang!
• July 8: Voltorb & Hisuian Voltorb (2x catch XP) – Double the electric, double the experience, double the fun.
• July 15: Feebas (2x catch candy) – Finally, enough candy for that elusive Milotic, or just more for the grinder.
• July 22: Jigglypuff (2x transfer candy) – Clear out your storage and get rewarded for it.
• July 29: Roggenrola (2x evolution XP) – Power-leveling for your next Gigalith, or any other evolution, really.

Community Day Double Header: Classic Returns, New Starter Shines

July delivers not one, but two Community Days, ensuring your social calendar is well and truly booked with Pokémon-related activities. Because one day just isn`t enough, apparently.

Eevee Community Day Classic (July 5-6)

The beloved fan-favorite Eevee takes center stage for a two-day Community Day Classic. From 2-5 PM local time each day, Eevee will flood the wild, offering ample chances for shinies and, more importantly, all those Eeveelutions you’ve been meaning to complete. The temporary reduction in evolution requirements is a thoughtful touch, acknowledging that Eevee’s branching paths can sometimes be a bit… demanding.

• Featured Attacks (evolve/hatch by July 10, 10 PM local): Last Resort (Eevee), Scald (Vaporeon), Zap Cannon (Jolteon), Superpower (Flareon), Shadow Ball (Espeon), Psychic (Umbreon), Bullet Seed (Leafeon), Water Pulse (Glaceon), Psyshock (Sylveon).
• Bonuses: 1/4 egg hatch distance, 3-hour Incense and Lure Modules, and eased evolution requirements (1km buddy for Espeon/Umbreon, 7 hearts for Sylveon until July 12).

Quaxly Community Day (July 20)

The second Community Day of the month introduces Quaxly, the flamboyant Water-type starter from Paldea. From 2-5 PM local time, Quaxly will dominate the wild, giving trainers the perfect chance to snag its shiny form and evolve it into a formidable Quaquaval with the exclusive Charged Attack, Hydro Cannon. Because what’s a Community Day without a new, powerful move to chase?

• Featured Attack: Hydro Cannon (Quaquaval, evolve Quaxwell by July 27, 10 PM local).
• Bonuses: 3x catch Stardust, 2x catch candy, 2x chance for XL Candy (for level 31+ players), 3-hour Lure Modules and Incense, one additional Special Trade, and 50% Stardust reduction for trades.

Hisuian Adventures Await: Unlocks and Raid Days

July also delves deep into the Hisui region, bringing forth new regional forms and a dedicated Raid Day. It seems the past is always just around the corner in Pokémon GO.

Ultra Unlock: Hisui Celebration (July 8-13)

As a reward for collective Global Challenges (because teamwork makes the dream work), this event unveils Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark for the first time in Pokémon GO. These elusive Ghost-type foxes will roam the wild alongside other Hisuian favorites. Prepare for an influx of Hisuian Voltorb, Qwilfish, and more, all while enjoying substantial bonuses. It`s a genuine historical expedition from the comfort of your couch… or local park.

• New Debuts: Hisuian Zorua and Hisuian Zoroark.
• Featured Wild & Raids: A plethora of Hisuian forms including Hisuian Growlithe, Hisuian Sneasel, Hisuian Braviary, Hisuian Avalugg, Wyrdeer, Kleavor, and the letter-perfect Unown U.
• Bonuses: A generous 4x XP and Stardust for catching Pokémon, plus increased chances for shiny Hisuian Voltorb, Hisuian Qwilfish, and Unown U.

Hisuian Lilligant Raid Day (July 12)

A specific Raid Day from 2-5 PM local time introduces Hisuian Lilligant as a raid boss, marking its debut. This is your prime opportunity to add this unique Grass/Fighting type to your collection, with an increased chance for its shiny variant. The temporary boost to Remote Raid Passes and free passes from Gyms suggests Niantic expects trainers to be very busy on this day, probably glued to their screens.

• New Debut: Hisuian Lilligant (raid boss, increased shiny chance).
• Bonuses: Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 20 (July 11-12), up to five additional free Raid Passes from Gyms.

Summer’s Splash and Sounds

What’s summer without a water festival and a concert? Pokémon GO, ever considerate, has you covered on both fronts. Just try not to get your phone wet.

Water Festival (July 15-20)

The annual Water Festival returns with a global twist: Tatsugiri. This peculiar Water/Dragon Pokémon will debut, with its three distinct forms appearing as three-star raid bosses in different regions worldwide. Choose your travel plans wisely, or prepare to rely on generous friends for trades! It`s a truly international aquatic affair.

• New Debut: Tatsugiri (Curly, Droopy, Stretchy forms, regional 3-star raids).
• Featured Wild: Classic Water-types like Squirtle, Feebas, and the elusive Tirtouga.
• Bonuses: Rainy Lure Modules lasting two hours, increased candy for Nice Throws, and boosted shiny rates for Staryu and Tirtouga. Scarf-wearing Lapras may also have a special background.

Gigantamax Lapras Max Battle Day (July 19)

Adding to the aquatic theme, Gigantamax Lapras makes a powerful return from 2-5 PM local time as a six-star Max Battle boss. This special event comes with significant Max Particle bonuses, almost as if Niantic is encouraging players to fully embrace the “bigger is better” philosophy. Prepare for epic-sized encounters.

• Featured Boss: Gigantamax Lapras.
• Bonuses: Remote Raid Pass limit to 20 (July 18-19), Max Particle collection limit increased to 1,600, 1/4 adventuring distance for Max Particles, 2x Max Particles from exploring, Power Spots refresh more frequently and yield 8x Max Particles, and two additional Special Trades.

Summer Concert (July 19-22)

From 5-8 PM local time each day, enjoy a special background music arrangement by legendary Pokémon composer Junichi Masuda. This musical interlude promises a more serene experience, but rest assured, there are still Pokémon to catch – particularly music-themed ones attracted by Lure Modules, including an increased chance for shiny Chatot. Who knew Pokémon GO had such an appreciation for ambient soundtracks? Perhaps it`s an auditory break from the constant catching sounds.

• Special Feature: Junichi Masuda’s background music.
• Lure Module Encounters: Jigglypuff, Lotad, Kricketot, Chatot, Audino, Noibat, Popplio.
• Bonuses: 1-hour Lure Modules, specific Pokémon attracted, increased shiny Chatot chance with Lure Modules.

Steel, Scales, and Exploration

As the month draws to a close, two more major events beckon trainers to explore and discover new facets of the Pokémon world.

Ultra Unlock: Steel And Scales (July 22-27)

The second Ultra Unlock event dedicates itself to Steel and Dragon-type Pokémon, bringing forth common and rare species alike. Most notably, the sword Pokémon Honedge makes its highly anticipated debut through three-star raids. It`s time to sharpen your battle strategies and maybe your real-world walking shoes!

• New Debut: Honedge (3-star raids).
• Featured Wild & Raids: Dratini, Beldum, Ferroseed, Goomy, Skarmory, Bisharp, Turtonator, plus Unown U.
• Bonuses: Another generous 4x XP and Stardust for catching, plus increased shiny chances for Bagon, Beldum, and Unown U.

Dynamax Latios And Latias Max Battle Weekend (July 26-27)

The legendary Eon duo, Latios and Latias, receive their Dynamax forms for a special Max Battle Weekend. These five-star Max Battle bosses will provide a significant challenge, reminding trainers that even the skies are not safe from massive Pokémon. As expected, Max Particle bonuses accompany this event, because you can never have too many particles when dealing with such colossal entities.

• Featured Bosses: Dynamax Latios and Dynamax Latias.
• Bonuses: Max Particle collection limit increased to 1,600, 1/4 adventuring distance for Max Particles, and Power Spots refresh more frequently and yield 8x Max Particles.

Adventure Week (July 29 – August 3)

Closing out July and spilling into August, the annual Adventure Week encourages exploration and discovery. This year introduces Toedscool from the Paldea region, appearing in specific biomes. Different Pokémon will spawn more frequently in cities, forests, mountains, and beaches, urging trainers to truly venture forth. It’s an adventure, after all, not just a casual walk to the nearest PokéStop. Dust off your explorer`s hat!

• New Debut: Toedscool (Paldea region, found in forest/grassland).
• Biome-Specific Encounters: Various Pokémon tailored to City (Snubbull, Trubbish, Elgyem, Espurr, Sizzlipede), Forest/Grassland (Skwovet, Fidough, Smoliv, Tadbulb, Toedscool), Mountain (Gligar, Hippopotas, Drilbur, Rufflet), and Beach/Water (Inkay, Mareanie, Dewpider, Sandygast, Wiglett) environments.
• Bonuses: 2x catch XP and Incense lasting two hours.

In summary, July 2025 in Pokémon GO is less a month and more a gauntlet of events designed to keep every trainer engaged, entertained, and perhaps, a little overwhelmed. From celebrating nine years of augmented reality adventures to catching new Hisuian and Paldean wonders, and battling colossal Dynamax forms, there’s an unprecedented amount to do. So, charge your phones, stock up on supplies, and dive headfirst into what promises to be one of Pokémon GO`s most packed months yet. Good luck, trainers – you`ll most certainly need it!