Pokémon Go trainers have an action-packed autumn of events to look forward to in October 2023. The annual Harvest Festival will kick off on October 12th, bringing new Pokémon from the Paldea region and seasonal activities. Players can also enjoy the return of Detective Pikachu, the Timburr Community Day, and Halloween-themed events this month.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Pokémon Go’s 2023 Harvest Festival event.
Harvest Festival 2023 Event Date and Details
The Pokémon Go Harvest Festival 2023 event will take place from Thursday, October 12th at 10AM through Tuesday, October 17th at 8PM local time.
The main highlight of this year’s Harvest Festival is the debut of Smoliv, the Grass-type Pokémon from Generation 9’s Paldea region. Along with its evolutions Dolliv and Arboliva, Smoliv will appear in various ways during the event.
Costumed Pokémon, themed Field Research, raids, and other autumnal activities will be available over the weeklong festival. Players can also look forward to Candy bonuses, Collection Challenges, and more.
New Pokémon Debut: Smoliv
The biggest addition in this year’s Harvest Festival is the arrival of Smoliv, the Olive Pokémon. This Grass-type from the Paldea region can be found growing in forests and orchards.
During the event, Smoliv will spawn in the wild, hatch from special 2km Eggs, and be obtainable as Field Research rewards. Evolving Smoliv into Dolliv and then Arboliva will require a total of 125 Smoliv Candy.
Catching Smoliv and evolving it all the way to Arboliva will be needed to complete one of the event’s Collection Challenges. This is the first time these new Pokémon have been available in Pokémon Go.
All Pumpkaboo Sizes Out for Halloween
Pumpkaboo makes its annual return for the Harvest Festival, and this time around all four sizes will be available: Small, Average, Large, and Super Size.
Each differently-sized Pumpkaboo can be encountered in the wild, in 2km eggs, Field Research, and raids. You’ll need to evolve one of each form into Gourgeist to finish the Pumpkaboo Collection Challenge.
Be sure to catch plenty of the pumpkin Pokémon during the event to get all the sizes. The increased Pumpkaboo spawns will make collecting Candy easier.
More Event Bonuses
Along with the debut Pokémon, the 2023 Harvest Festival will feature some event bonuses:
- Mossy Lure Modules will last for 2 hours and have an increased chance of attracting Pumpkaboo.
- 2x Catch Candy and Stardust from catching Pokémon.
- 2x Hatch Candy and Stardust from Eggs.
- Pumpkaboo catches will reward bonus Candy (3-5 per catch).
These bonuses will remain active throughout the entirety of the Harvest Festival event.
Exclusive Field Research Tasks
Special Field Research tasks obtained by spinning PokéStops will be available only during the 2023 Harvest Festival event:
- Catch 10 Pokémon – Burmy encounter
- Catch 15 Pokémon – Pumpkaboo encounter
- Catch 30 Pokémon – Pumpkaboo encounter
- Use 5 berries to help catch Pokémon – Smoliv encounter
Make sure to collect as much of this event-exclusive Field Research as you can during the Harvest Festival week. You’ll be able to complete them after the event ends.
Timed Collection Challenges
Two timed Collection Challenges will be featured during the 2023 Harvest Festival event:
Pumpkaboo Collection
Catch one of each of the following:
- Pumpkaboo (Small Size)
- Pumpkaboo (Average Size)
- Pumpkaboo (Large Size)
- Pumpkaboo (Super Size)
Evolve each of the following:
- Gourgeist (Small Size)
- Gourgeist (Average Size)
- Gourgeist (Large Size)
- Gourgeist (Super Size)
Rewards: 5,000 XP, 2,500 Stardust, and 1 Mossy Lure Module
Smoliv Collection
Catch each of the following:
- Smoliv
- Dolliv
- Arboliva
Rewards: 5,000 XP, 2,500 Stardust, and 1 Mossy Lure Module
Completing both Collections during the event will require hunting down all of the new Pokémon as well as the different Pumpkaboo sizes in the wild.
Event Raid Bosses
The Harvest Festival 2023 event will feature the following Pokémon in 1-star to 5-star raid battles:
- 1-star raids: Pumpkaboo, Gastly, Murkrow, Spinarak
- 3-star raids: Vileplume, Shiftry
- 5-star raids: Guzzlord (potentially Shiny)
Guzzlord’s debut in 5-star raids will give trainers a chance to catch the monstrous Dark/Dragon-type from Generation 7’s Alola region.
More October 2023 Events and Activities
Along with the Harvest Festival, Pokémon Go trainers have lots more to look forward to in October 2023:
- October 5: Detective Pikachu returns with new buddy Slowpoke wearing a hat.
- October 15: Timburr Community Day featuring exclusive move Brutal Swing.
- Ticket of Treats ongoing with Halloween Timed Research each Thursday.
- October 23: GO Battle League Season 16 begins.
- Shiny Shadow Moltres appearance.
With so much happening all month long, October looks to be an exciting time for Pokémon Go gameplay and events.
Tips for the 2023 Harvest Festival Event
Here are some tips to maximize your Pokémon Go gameplay during the 2023 Harvest Festival:
- Open Gifts and hatch 2km Eggs to earn bonus Candy for Smoliv, Pumpkaboo, and other event Pokémon.
- Use Pinap Berries when catching featured spawns to get extra Candy.
- Use Mossy Lure Modules when you see them active to benefit from increased Grass-type spawns.
- Battle in 1-star raids to collect Pumpkaboo Candy needed to evolve all four sizes.
- Complete both Timed Research Collection Challenges before they disappear.
- Evolve Grass, Ghost, or Dark-types during the event to take advantage of Candy bonuses.
- Connect a Poké Ball Plus or use Incense to catch more event spawns.
With new Paldean Pokémon, exciting raid bosses, and Candy bonuses, Pokémon Go’s 2023 Harvest Festival is shaping up to be a fruitful autumn event. Get out and explore during the event to catch ’em all!
