Lunar New Year 2023 Guide

Pokémon GO’s Lunar New Year is here, and with the event’s arrival comes an exciting number of Pokémon, many of them Shiny, and a Mega Lopunny Raid.

A new year means a Lunar New Year for Pokémon GO, a special event with multiple bonuses and features for trainers to focus on as they wander around the world. Pokémon GO always offers special deals and bonuses to players, and while it is the Year of the Rabbit, there’s more to this event than just Bunnelby and Buneary. This event has something for everyone, from wild encounters to increased shiny rates to a new timed research.

Just like Pokémon GO’s 2022 Lunar New Year, this is a timed event that will only last for a few days, from January 19 at 10:00 a.m. local time to January 23 at 8:00 p.m. local time. While active, players will be under the effects of six Event Bonuses. Increased chance for Shiny Darumaka encounters, increased chance for Lucky Pokémon in trades, increased chance for friends to become Lucky Friends, 2x Stardust for opening Gifts, a maximum of two Special Trades a day, and bonus rewards from the Event’s Timed Research.

Related: Pokémon GO: How to Catch Ditto (January 2023)

Pokémon GO Lunar New Year Timed Research

This year’s Timed Research is Lucky Wishes, a path that lets trainers choose their own rewards to fulfill their wishes. In addition, all paths will reward the player with a Lucky Egg and a rare Pokémon Encounter. While Pokémon GO’s Lunar New Year 2022 Timed Research gave trainers Espurr and Litleo, 2023 offers players the chance at six different Pokémon, some of them with an increased Shiny rate. At the end of Lucky Wishes, players will have a chance to encounter one of Six Pokémon. Those marked with a ** have an increased Shiny chance.

Lunar New Field Research

As is typical for Pokémon GO’s events, the Field Researches will give players special rewards in theme with the Event, and unlike the Time Research, these are repeatable. This year the rewards are encounters with event Pokémon, with a high chance of Shinies. The tasks for Pokémon GO’s Field Researches haven’t changed, and players can get more by going up to Pokéstops and giving them a spin.

Special Eggs and Wild Encounters

Eggs in Pokémon GO hatch after walking a certain distance, giving players more reason to hunt wild encounters. During the event, any 7km eggs the player obtains will hatch into one of five different Pokémon. The two tables detail potential hatches and the event’s increased wild encounters.

Lunar New Year Raids

Last but certainly not least, a number of Event Pokémon Raids will pop up during Lunar New Year. Players can invite friends to Raids in Pokémon GO, and once beaten, they will get a chance to catch those bosses to add to their collections.

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