Halloween costumes are back in Pokemon GO, and this year Pikachu is dressing up in a hat and capelet. The Halloween Part I event starts tomorrow and brings three newly costumed Pokemon, gothic outfits for Trainers and a remix of one of the most famous pieces of music in the franchise.
Every Trainer will also get a free encounter with the costumed Pikachu, along with 6 Rare Candy, through a Timed Research that completes automatically.
This Year's Costumes
Costumed Pokemon have been a Halloween tradition in Pokemon GO for years, and the 2026 lineup adds three new looks, all of which can be found as shiny:
- Pikachu wearing a hat and capelet, available in one-star raids and through the free Timed Research
- Zubat wearing a top hat, appearing in the wild
- Sinistea wearing a bow, available in one-star raids
Sinistea is a fun pick for the season. The Ghost-type teacup Pokemon first appeared in Pokemon Sword and Shield, and a bow is a cute addition to a Pokemon that already looks like it belongs at a haunted tea party. Zubat, one of the original Kanto Pokemon, gets a dapper top hat that fits right in with its bat theme.
The event also features Halloween Mischief Piplup and, for the lucky, Halloween Mischief Drifblim, plus wild Duskull. Trick or Treat surprises in the wild can lead to encounters or reward players with Pikachu, Zubat, Sinistea or Rare Candy.
Lavender Town Plays Every Night
The most atmospheric part of the event might be the music. A remix of the Lavender Town theme will play every night during Halloween Part I.
Lavender Town has been the spookiest place in the franchise since Pokemon Red and Green, where its Pokemon Tower served as a resting place for departed Pokemon and the first real home of the Ghost type. Anime fans will remember it as the setting of the early episode where Ash ran into Gastly, Haunter and Gengar in the tower, and its eerie theme is still one of the most recognizable tracks in the series.
PokeStops, Gyms and encounter screens will also be decorated for Halloween throughout the event.
Gothic Looks For Trainers
Trainers can dress up too. The in-game shop is adding a Gothic Skirt Set, Gothic Shorts Set, Gothic Socks and Gothic Boots, along with new Halloween stickers. Players who buy GO Pass Deluxe for the Halloween 2026 GO Pass can also unlock the Patissier Top and Pants.
The GO Pass runs from October 27 to November 5 at 8 p.m. local time. Deluxe costs US$7.99, or $9.99 with 10 extra ranks, and the pass unlocks 2x Candy at Rank 10 and 2x Stardust at Rank 20, rising to 3x for Deluxe owners.
When To Play
Halloween Part I runs from Tuesday, October 27, at 10 a.m. local time until Sunday, November 1, at 10 a.m. local time. The free Pikachu Timed Research must be claimed before it ends.
The celebration keeps going after that. Mega Chandelure makes its debut during the Chandelure Super Mega Raid Day on Saturday, October 31, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Halloween 2026 Part II then runs from November 1 to November 5 with the debut of Shiny Greavard, a Ghost-type puppy from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, as well as costumed Rowlet and a rare Gengar in its Spooky Festival costume. Part II has its own free Timed Research with 6 more Rare Candies and an encounter with the bow-wearing Sinistea.
The events are run by Scopely, which develops Pokemon GO.
Which costume are you hunting for first, the hat and capelet Pikachu or the bow-wearing Sinistea?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.