The Year of the Horse is galloping into Pokémon GO and it’s bringing Shinies, Lucky Trades, and golden PokéStops with it. But with only a 4-day window (February 17–21, 2026), trainers need to move fast. Here’s every task, reward, and bonus broken down so you don’t miss a thing.
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Pokémon GO Event Overview
The Lunar New Year 2026 event runs from Tuesday, February 17 at 10:00 AM to Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM local time. Celebrating the Year of the Horse, featured Pokémon include Ponyta, Galarian Ponyta, Blitzle, and Darumaka — all with boosted Shiny rates.
All Event Tasks & Rewards at a Glance
| Research Type | Cost | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Field Research | Free | Event-themed Pokémon encounters |
| Collection Challenge | Free | 2,400 Stardust + Turtonator encounter |
| Paid Timed Research | $1.99 | 200 PokéCoins, 2 Lucky Eggs, 1 Incense, Blitzle & Darumaka encounters |
⚠️ Deadline Alert: All Timed Research tasks must be completed and rewards claimed by February 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM. Don’t sleep on this!
Collection Challenge: 6 Pokémon to Catch
There are six Pokémon you’ll need to catch to complete the Collection Challenge — all with increased spawn rates during the event. The reward for completing it is an encounter with Turtonator, the dual Fire and Dragon-type Blast Turtle Pokémon, plus 2,400 Stardust.
Target Pokémon include: Ponyta, Galarian Ponyta, Fuecoco, Blitzle, Darumaka and one additional event spawn. Since all have boosted wild spawns, this is highly achievable within the event window.
Event Bonuses Worth Knowing
Event bonuses include an increased chance to get Lucky Pokémon in trades, an increased chance to become Lucky Friends, and a Gimmighoul bonus where PokéStops may turn gold without a Golden Lure Module. There is also an increased chance to encounter Shiny Blitzle, Shiny Darumaka, and Shiny Gimmighoul.
This makes the event especially valuable for players looking to Lucky Trade with friends — the boosted rates significantly improve your chances of getting high-IV Pokémon through trades.
Is the Paid Timed Research Worth $1.99?
The paid Timed Research rewards include 200 PokéCoins, two Lucky Eggs, one Incense, and encounters with Blitzle and Darumaka. Given that 200 PokéCoins alone typically costs real money in the shop, this is objectively a solid deal for active trainers — especially if you’re chasing Shiny Blitzle or Darumaka.
Learn more about Pokémon GO’s event structure and history on the Pokémon GO Wikipedia page.
For more Pokémon GO event guides, gaming news, and mobile gaming coverage, head to TechnoSports — and explore our latest Pokémon GO and gaming articles for real-time updates and tips.
FAQs
Q: Is the Pokémon GO Lunar New Year 2026 Collection Challenge free to complete?
Yes — both the Field Research tasks and the Collection Challenge are completely free, with only the Timed Research requiring a $1.99 purchase to access the bonus encounters and PokéCoin rewards.
Q: Which Pokémon can be Shiny in the Lunar New Year 2026 Pokémon GO event?
Shiny Blitzle, Shiny Darumaka, and Shiny Gimmighoul all have boosted encounter rates during the event — with Ponyta and Galarian Ponyta also available as Shiny in the wild.
