- Key dates: Part 1 from October 21 to 27 (local time).
- Poltchageist and Sinistcha debuts; Sinistea may come out shiny.
- GO Pass with level bonuses and unlimited point window.
- Rotating raids and tasks with themed encounters and Mega Energy.
Halloween returns to the streets of Pokémon GO with a themed event packed with new features, bonuses, and an atmosphere perfectly suited to Ghost-type Pokémon. This time, the celebration is divided into two parts, and we'll focus on the first, which features highly anticipated debuts, enticing raids, and rewards tied to a special GO Pass. If you're already dreaming of shiny Pokémon, raids, and extra candy , now's your chance.
To make sure you don't miss a thing, here's a detailed rundown of key dates, new Pokémon debuting, active multipliers, and how the GO Halloween 2025 Pass works. In addition to featured encounters and Field Research tasks, we'll cover world decorations and avatar items , so you can plan every session in detail.
Halloween Dates and Times: Part 1
The first part of the Halloween event in Pokémon GO takes place during a limited and clearly defined period. It begins on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. and ends on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (local time). Keep these times in mind to take full advantage of the bonuses, debuts, and raid rotation that accompany the celebration.
As is tradition, the game environment is transformed into a spooky setting with visual and auditory elements typical of this time of year. PokéStops and Gyms sport Halloween decorations , and as night falls, you can listen to a chilling remix of the Lavender Town theme—a perfect touch for nighttime hunting sessions.
GO Pass: Halloween 2025 — what it is, how to get it, and its improvements
The GO Pass: Halloween 2025 is a free, limited-time progression path available during the Halloween celebration. It will be automatically awarded to all Trainers on Tuesday, October 21, at 10:00 a.m. local time . From that moment on, you can earn GO Points, level up in the Pass, and redeem rewards as you progress.
The Pass remains valid for earning points and unlocking additional rewards until Sunday, November 2nd at 20:00 PM (local time) . Note this key detail: during the final stretch, specifically from Saturday, November 1st at 00:00 AM until Sunday, November 2nd at 19:59 PM (local time) , there will be no daily limit on the GO points you can earn, making it an ideal opportunity to clear levels.
There are upgrade options designed to accelerate your progression and multiply your rewards. For $7,99, you can upgrade to the GO Pass Deluxe , a variant with better rewards and faster advancement. If you want to go even further, the GO Pass Deluxe + 10 Levels is available for $9,99 , which automatically grants the points needed to reach Level 11 of the Pass from the very beginning.
As you progress with the GO Pass deluxe, you'll be eligible to claim both the free Pass rewards and the deluxe rewards. You can upgrade to deluxe at any time and redeem rewards from previously unlocked tiers , so you won't lose anything you've already earned if you decide to upgrade later.
Don't forget that the rewards unlocked through the Pass expire on Sunday, November 2nd at 23:59 PM (local time) . It's best to log in before then and claim them all so they don't disappear. The amounts shown are in USD, or their equivalent in the player's local currency. The Pass is free to play, but paid upgrades offer additional multipliers and access to faster progression.
Poltchageist and Sinistcha debuts
The first part of Halloween brings with it one of the highlights of the calendar: the debut of two tea-themed Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Poltchageist and its evolution Sinistha make their debut during the event , expanding the Matcha-flavored family within the ecosystem of ghostly creatures.
To evolve, simply invest resources of your own species. You'll need 50 Poltchageist Candies to obtain a Sinistea , so plan your catches and transfers to gather them without any problems. With a bit of luck, you might also encounter a Shiny Sinistea for the first time , a highly sought-after cosmetic candy among collectors.
If themed appearances are what motivate you, Halloween boosts the presence of several species related to the event's atmosphere. Zorua, Hisui's Zorua, and Greavard take center stage in the wild for the duration of Part 1, opening up new options for balancing teams and adding entries to the Pokédex.
Event Bonus: Improved Odds and Candies
The Halloween 2025: Part 1 bonuses are partially tied to the season's GO Pass milestones. Reaching certain Pass levels unlocks multipliers and boosts that affect Candy and Candy++ chances, especially relevant for high-level Trainers.
At Tier 1 of milestones, the base benefit is clear: double Candy for catching Pokémon . If you have the GO Pass Deluxe, that multiplier increases to triple Candy for catching Pokémon , which is a substantial improvement when it comes to powering up and evolving your favorite Pokémon.
At Level 2 , a new mechanic rewards throwing skill. Trainers Level 31 and above have a higher chance of receiving Candy++ when making good, great, or excellent throws. This direct incentive for accuracy, when used effectively, accelerates progression.
At Level 3 , the bonuses shift their focus to box management. Double Candy is granted for transferring Pokémon , along with an increased chance of obtaining Candy++ when transferring for Trainers level 31 and above. If you have the Deluxe Pass, the benefit increases to triple Candy for transferring , with an additional boost to the Candy++ chance, allowing you to maximize the effectiveness of every trade.
These incentives serve as the perfect boost to farm candies during the event week. Stringing together catches of featured Pokémon and managing transfers wisely can make all the difference in completing evolutions, unlocking attacks, and tackling raids with better-prepared teams.
Shop, stickers and scary atmosphere
As an aesthetic addition, the event debuts a new piece of clothing perfectly suited to the occasion. The Polteageist Hat arrives in the game's shop when Halloween kicks off and will remain available after the event ends, so you won't have to rush if completing outfits is your priority.
There are also themed stickers that you can get by spinning PokéStop Photo Discs, opening gifts, or buying them directly from the shop. They're perfect for adding a festive touch to your gifts to friends and for collecting special seasonal variants.
In terms of visuals, Niantic once again relies on a classic: at night, a spooky remix of the Lavender Town music plays , and the map is adorned with Halloween decorations. All of this combines to make each outing a more immersive and ghostly experience.
Halloween Pokémon Spotlights: Part 1
During the event, a selection of Pokémon will be featured that are more prevalent in the wild, in raids, and in field research tasks. All Pokémon marked with an asterisk (*) may appear in their Shiny form , so keep your eyes peeled.
Encounters in the wild
During Halloween: Part 1, these species will appear more frequently in the wild. These are ideal opportunities to collect candy, hunt for shiny Pokémon, and complete event-related evolutions.
- Zorua*
- Hisui's Zorua
- greevard
- Sinistea*
Event Raids
The raid schedule also gets a Halloween makeover, with themed bosses at different levels. Plan your groups and remote passes based on the shiny and evolved forms you're looking for during this time.
1 Star Raids:
- Galarian Yamask*
- Sinistea*
- Poltchageist
1 Star Dark Raids:
- Dark Yamask
- Dark Phantom
3-Star Raids:
- Alolan Marowak*
- Hisui's Typhlosion*
- Hisui's Samurott*
Thematic field research
The event-related field research tasks return with their own rotation of encounters and resources. Completing them can grant you extra access to coveted species and Mega Energy to prepare strategic Mega Evolutions.
Encounters that can come out by completing these tasks:
- Sableye*
- Yamask*
- Zorua*
- Hisui's Zorua
- Litwick*
- Vullaby*
- Phantomp*
With a bit of luck, some Trainers may even find:
- Spiritomb*
Additionally, certain tasks grant Mega Energy for the following Pokémon :
- gengar
- Houndoom
- Sableye
- Banette
- Absolutely
Quick tips to get the most out of bonuses
With double or triple the amount of candy up for grabs, managing catches and transfers requires a plan. Take advantage of GO Pass bonuses during peak hours and focus on species you need to evolve or power up to get the most out of them.
If you're a Trainer level 31 or higher, accurate casts will reward you with Candy++. Practice good, great, and excellent casts against species with comfortable catch ratios to maximize your reward. A session using lures and scent alone can yield a good haul.
For raids, prioritize bosses with potential shinies or new species. Alolan Marowak and Hisui's forms of Typhlosion and Samurott are worthwhile if you're collecting shinies or need specific moves after evolving.
In field research, check PokéStops in densely populated areas to cycle through tasks quickly. Discarding uninteresting missions and saving the valuable ones is key to optimizing your time, especially if you're going for Spiritomb* or a specific Mega Energy.
Languages, platforms and security
Pokémon GO is available in a wide variety of languages so no one misses out on the fun. It can be played in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai, Brazilian Portuguese, Turkish, and Indonesian ; Russian has also been added to the list of supported languages in recent communications. This makes it easier for the Halloween event to have truly global reach.
Regarding trademarks and intellectual property, remember that Pokémon, Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK Inc. own their respective trademarks, just as Apple, Google, and their logos are protected. The game is developed by Niantic, which retains the rights to its technology and services. This serves as a good reminder that you're enjoying an officially licensed, top-tier experience.
Finally, it's worth reiterating the obvious: when playing outdoors, stay aware of your surroundings and prioritize safety . Avoid risky situations, respect your city's rules, and if you're playing at night to enjoy the Halloween atmosphere, consider doing so with others and in well-lit areas.
How the GO Pass fits into your routine
The GO: Halloween 2025 Pass is designed to fit seamlessly into your regular gaming sessions. If you typically go out to catch Pokémon daily, you'll level up naturally and unlock rewards. If you can't play during the week, save the unlimited daily GO Points portion to catch up.
The option to upgrade to the Deluxe Pass at any time eliminates the pressure of making a decision right from the start. First, test your pace with the free Pass, and if you find you'll benefit from the multipliers , upgrade to the Deluxe Pass or the Deluxe Pass + 10 levels to accelerate your progress. The key is to adjust your investment to your actual playtime availability.
Don't forget that upgrading to Deluxe also grants you the rewards from the free Pass . This dual reward system makes progression more satisfying, especially if you're hunting for Shiny Pokémon during the event and need a candy boost to evolve without running out.
Capture and raid plan for the week
For those seeking a compact action plan, the order of priorities can be based on three axes: debuts, shiny Pokémon, and resources. Start by dedicating sessions to encountering Sinistea* in the wild to try your luck with its shiny form, mix it up with 1-star raids if you're interested in Poltchageist, and save up raid passes for Alolan Marowak* if you don't yet have its shiny version.
At the same time, take advantage of candy bonuses with strategic transfers. Transfer Pokémon you don't need to keep in bulk to multiply your candy and, hopefully, gain Candy++ if you meet the level requirement. This routine is perfect for unblocking pending evolutions.
If your goal is to get your first Pokémon, focus on finding Poltchageist and collecting the 50 Candies needed to evolve it into Sinistha . Supplement this with Field Research tasks that lead to useful encounters or Mega Energy to plan for Mega Evolutions of Gengar, Houndoom, Sableye, Banette, and Absol.
For the soundtrack, let the nighttime remix of Lavender Town accompany you on your adventures. Besides being immersive, it's a nostalgic nod that makes nighttime hunting truly special . Keep an eye on your battery and safety if you decide to extend your session past sunset.
What you shouldn't forget before it's over
The event's closing day and the end of the Battle Pass are coming sooner than you'd expect, especially during busy weeks. Log in on Sunday, November 2nd before 20:00 PM (local time) to maximize your points, and very importantly, log back in before 23:59 PM to claim any remaining Battle Pass rewards.
Also check the shop to see if you've already claimed the Polteageist Hat if you're interested in it as a seasonal souvenir. And if you collect stickers, spin several PokéStops in densely populated areas and open gifts at the end of the day, when you might be missing the last variant to complete your set.
For those consulting external resources, there are specialized guides with tips and tricks that can help you refine your gear, moves, and farming routes. The event is short; having a clear roadmap makes all the difference.
Halloween in Pokémon GO promises to be an intense week: the debut of Poltchageist and Sinistha, raids featuring classic spooky Pokémon, candy bonuses, and an unlimited GO Pass window . If you plan your time well and prioritize your goals (shiny, evolution, Mega Energy, or collection), you'll get a lot out of every session without feeling like you're missing out.