Festival of Lights 2025 Returns to Pokémon GO: Pikachu in Saree and Kurta Lead the Celebration
The lights are shining bright in Pokémon GO once again as Niantic brings back its popular Festival of Lights event for 2025. This year’s celebration blends in-game adventures with real-world festivities, giving Trainers across India a chance to enjoy cultural flair, exclusive Pokémon encounters, and community gatherings.
Pikachu Returns in Festive Indian Attire
From October 18 at 10:00 AM to October 23 at 8:00 PM (IST), Trainers in India can look forward to catching the much-loved Pikachu wearing a saree and Pikachu wearing a kurta, both returning for the event. These region-exclusive variants, first introduced as part of Niantic’s India-focused initiatives, will also appear in raids and Field Research task encounters — and lucky Trainers might even spot their Shiny forms.
In addition to Pikachu, other Pokémon from previous Festival of Lights seasons are joining the celebration, including Ponyta, Chinchou, Volbeat, Litwick, Morelull, and Tadbulb. These Pokémon will appear more frequently when using Incense, adding a radiant touch to every Trainer’s journey.
Players can also enjoy a variety of event bonuses, such as:
- 2× Stardust for catching Pokémon
- 2× longer Incense duration (excluding Daily Adventure Incense)
- Special stickers featuring Pikachu in festive attire, available by spinning PokéStops
Festival Fun Beyond the Screen
Niantic is also extending the Festival of Lights celebration beyond the digital realm. Pokémon GO will host on-ground activations at two major venues — Nexus Mall Koramangala in Bengaluru and Nexus Select CityWalk in New Delhi — on October 18 and 19.
Visitors can expect immersive experiences inspired by Diwali, including themed decorations, interactive zones, and community activities where Trainers can connect, play, and celebrate together. These events are part of Niantic’s continued effort to strengthen the Pokémon GO community in India through local engagement and region-specific experiences.
A Growing Celebration for Indian Trainers
Over the years, Niantic has focused on making Pokémon GO more relevant to Indian players. From adding localized Pokémon designs like the saree and kurta Pikachu, to expanding on-ground events and PokéStop accessibility, the company has steadily built a thriving community of Trainers across the country.
This year’s Festival of Lights continues that mission — merging tradition with technology and bringing people together through a shared love for adventure and discovery.
Whether you’re exploring your city streets or joining the celebrations in Bengaluru or Delhi, the Festival of Lights 2025 promises to be one of the most vibrant events yet. So grab your Poké Balls, light up your Incense, and get ready to catch the glow — Pikachu is all dressed up and waiting to celebrate Diwali with you.