Pokemon GO Celebrates 9th Anniversary with Party Hat Ivysaur, Venusaur, and Gimmighoul Debuts

Pokemon GO has announced its 9th Anniversary Party, a week-long event that kicks off on July 1, 2025. The celebration will feature some long-awaited Pokemon debuts, including Party Hat Ivysaur and Venusaur, as well as a new way of catching Gimmighoul for a limited time.

When Pokemon GO first launched on July 6, 2016, it quickly became a hit among Pokemon fans. The game has become a pioneer in the mobile AR genre and continues to draw millions of monthly players globally. To celebrate its ninth anniversary, Pokemon GO has confirmed a new limited anniversary event featuring costumed Pokemon, an exclusive Gimmighoul, and several exciting bonuses.

During the 9th Anniversary Party, which runs from Tuesday, July 1, at 10:00 AM to Sunday, July 6, at 8:00 PM local time, Kanto starters Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle will spawn more frequently in the wild and will wear party hats. Party-hat Bulbasaur will be able to evolve for the first time in Pokemon GO. Another major debut will be shiny Gimmighoul, and fans can even encounter limited versions of Gimmighoul holding a 9th anniversary coin and a seasonal background.

While catching Gimmighoul in Pokemon GO has been tied to owning Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the anniversary event will let players encounter the critter with a different, easier method. During the celebration, fans can complete Field Research Tasks and Timed Research to encounter Gimmighoul holding a 9th anniversary coin. Additionally, PokeStops may turn gold without a Golden Lure Module.

The event will also feature several bonuses, including increased chances to become Lucky Friends and get Lucky Pokémon in trades, faster friendship level increases through opening Gifts, trading Pokemon, or battling together in raids, Gyms, or Trainer Battles, and the chance of finding 9 or 99 (or maybe more!) Gimmighoul Coins when spinning a PokeStop with a Golden Lure Module.

One-star Raids will feature Pikachu with a cake hat and Eevee with a party hat, both of which will give an increased chance of encountering their shiny forms. Players will also have a chance of finding party hats in the wild. Tapping on them will award items or encounters with event-themed Pokemon.

To celebrate the occasion, Pokemon GO is offering several in-game purchases, including a Masterwork Research: Wish Granted for US$4.99 that grants an encounter with Shiny Jirachi and 2x Incense duration, a 9th Anniversary Party Ultra Ticket Box for US$4.99 that includes a Timed Research ticket, early access to Party Hat avatar items, and more, and new Avatar Items in the store such as Team Valor GO Wristband, Team Mystic GO Wristband, and Team Instinct GO Wristband.

In almost ten years, Pokemon GO has gained a large fandom and reached some major milestones. The game has also undergone significant changes, with Niantic recently selling the game to Scopely. July will be a big month for the AR title, as it is not only celebrating its ninth anniversary but also hosting a Quaxly Community Day and an Eevee Community Day Classic.