A rare costumed starter has finally landed in Pokémon GO, and it’s not one you’ll want to miss. Here’s your complete guide to catching the entire Friede’s goggles evolution line before the event window closes.
Table of Contents
What Is Pokémon GO Event?
The Pokémon Horizons: The Series Celebration Event runs from September 16 at 10:00 a.m. to September 22, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time, marking the in-game debut of Charmander wearing Friede’s goggles — a nod to Professor Friede, the beloved character from the Pokémon Horizons anime. It’s the third Pokémon GO tie-in tribute of its kind, following similar costume events in March 2024 and April 2025.
How to Get Each Evolution?
Here’s the breakdown of every method available during the event:
| Pokémon | How to Get It |
|---|---|
| Charmander wearing Friede’s goggles | Wild spawns (all day), Field Research, regular Lure Modules, GO Pass rewards |
| Charmeleon wearing Friede’s goggles | Evolution ONLY — 25 Charmander Candy (not available in wild or raids) |
| Charizard wearing Friede’s goggles | Evolve with 100 more Candy, OR catch directly in 3-star raids |
The key detail collectors need to know: Charmeleon cannot be caught in the wild or in raids under any circumstance — evolution is the only path. Charizard, on the other hand, gives you a shortcut through three-star raids if you’d rather skip the Candy grind entirely.
Don’t Forget the Shiny Hunt
Good news for Shiny hunters — there’s no delayed unlock this time. Shiny Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard wearing Friede’s goggles have all been available since the event’s opening hour on September 16. Some encounters may also come with a Special Background, giving dedicated collectors extra variants to chase.
Other Event Bonuses Worth Knowing
- Pikachu wearing Cap’s hat returns in the wild and one-star raids
- Kecleon shows up more often at PokéStops
- Three-star raids also feature Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval
- Wild spawns rotate by time of day — Fidough, Wattrel, and Chansey appear from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Eevee, Hatenna, and Rockruff take over from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Taking snapshots can occasionally trigger surprise Pokémon Horizons character encounters
Final Tip Before Time Runs Out
If you want the full costumed line, budget for at least 125 Charmander Candy per Charizard you plan to build — that’s on top of any Candy you’ll need for duplicates if you want to keep the Charmeleon stage too. Costumed starters are genuinely rare in Pokémon GO; while Pikachu has received dozens of outfit variants over the years, the Charmander line had never gotten anything this distinctive until now.
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FAQs
Q1. Can I catch Charmeleon wearing Friede’s goggles in the wild?
No — it can only be obtained by evolving Charmander wearing Friede’s goggles using 25 Charmander Candy.
Q2. What’s the fastest way to get Charizard wearing Friede’s goggles?
Winning a three-star raid battle gives you a direct Charizard encounter, skipping the 125-Candy evolution requirement entirely.
