Now that the great Pokémon GO Johto Tour has come and gone, so too has the Season of Heritage. In its place is the Pokémon GO Season of Alola schedule, bringing about fun in the sun and Pokémon from the best generation of the games - Sun and Moon.
Things will start off pretty slowly, but expect a lot of new additions over the next few months: from new Pokémon and raid battles, to cool new events, special research missions, and perhaps even another in-person festival to cap things off.
Getting back into Pokémon GO now that things are starting to warm up? You'll be glad to know that the best counters for Arlo, Sierra, and Cliff are still the same as ever. Beat them and you'll still be able to grab a Shadow Lugia from Giovanni. It's not an Apex, but it'll do.
Pokémon GO Season of Alola Events
- Welcome to Alola (Mar. 1–Mar. 9)
- This kick-off event will introduce more Pokémon from the Alola region of the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games.
- Festival of Colors: (Mar. 15–Mar. 20)
- You can experience a fluttering of festive hues during the Festival of Colors!
- Lush Jungle (Mar. 22–Mar. 29)
- Get ready to brave the jungle during this Alola-inspired adventure!
'Welcome to Alola' Details
This is only a snapshot of what's to come during the Pokémon GO Season of Alola, but it gives a general idea of what to expect going forward. The kick-off event won't have too much going on. It's just a warm-up period where Pokémon from the Alola region will be more prevalent in the world.
'Festival of Colors' Details
Though the official website doesn't say much about this one, we can have a good guess. Going off the name and the fact that Alola's four natural islands all represent a specific colour, expect Pokémon from each specific island to show up more often.
Lush Jungle
Lush Jungle is a specific area of Alola's Akala Island and the sight of one of the tougher trials in the Pokémon Sun and Moon games. Expect to more easily accumulate Pokémon found in there - like Morelull/Shiinotic, Fomantis/Lurantis, Steenee,Trumbeak, Comfey, Oranguru, and Passimian.
Pokémon GO Season of Alola Raids
Legendary Five-Star Raids
Raid | Date |
|---|---|
Tapu Koko | Mar. 1–Mar. 15 |
Tornadus (Therian Forme) | Mar. 15–Mar. 22 |
??? | Mar. 22–Apr. 5 |
The Pokémon GO Season of Alola raid circuit starts with Tapu Koko (or Kapu-Riki for any German readers out there) - one of Alola's four guardians of its islands. This Electric/Fairy-type Pokémon is the deity of Melemele island in the Sun and Moon games.
Once that one goes away, Tornadus (Therian Forme) will take over, with a shiny version being available as well.
Mega Raids
Pokémon | Date |
|---|---|
Mega Venusaur | Mar. 1–Mar. 15 |
Mega Lopunny | Mar. 15–March. 22 |
Mega Charizard | Mar. 22–Apr. 5 |
Pokémon GO Season of Alola Raid Hours
Pokémon | Date |
|---|---|
Tapu Koko | Mar. 2 |
Tapu Koko | Mar. 9 |
Therian Forme Tornadus | Mar. 16 |
??? | Mar. 23 |
??? | Mar. 30 |
Throughout March, two Pokémon will benefit from two Raid Hours each - Tapu Koko first, then an unannounced Pokémon in the week following Tornadus (Therian Forme)'s own Raid Hour.
Pokémon GO Season of Alola Research Breakthroughs
Pokémon | Month |
|---|---|
Alolan Vulpix | March |
For now, only the first Research Breakthrough Pokémon has been revealed. Throughout March, you'll be able to nab a free Alolan Vulpix for every seven daily tasks you turn in. On the last week, consider saving your final turn-in in case April has a better offer.
Pokémon GO Season of Alola Spotlight Hours
Pokémon | Date | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
Cubone* | Mar. 1 | 2x Transfer Candy |
Exeggcute* | Mar. 8 | 2x Evolution XP |
Growlithe* | Mar. 15 | 2x Catch Stardust |
Sudowoodo* | Mar. 22 | 2x Catch XP |
Paras* | Mar. 29 | 2x Catch Candy |
With a good five Tuesdays in March, the Pokémon GO Season of Alola Spotlight Hour schedule is looking promising.
Cubone kicks things off, with Exeggcute coming the week after that - two Pokémon with unique Alolan forms already available in the game. Growlithe and Sudowoodo take centre stage in the weeks that follow, leaving Paras to close out the month. Every one of them can be shiny.
Spotlight Hours take place every Tuesday at 6pm local time. As the name suggests, they end at 7pm.
And that's about everything we know about the Pokémon GO Season of Alola right now. There's talk of a March update adding some proximity-based gym and PokéStop visual improvements.
Beyond that, just expect each of the tables above to grow as more and more features, dates, and Pokémon are announced. And for content even further out, check the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starters - they'll probably be thrown in when those games release later this year.