Pokemon GO Harvest Festival 2024 Event Guide and Research Tasks

Get ready to embrace the changing seasons in Pokémon GO with the Harvest Festival event, running from November 7 to November 12, 2024. This special celebration brings an abundance of rare Grass-type Pokémon like Smoliv and Pumpkaboo, including the debut of Shiny Smoliv, plus exciting Field Research, Timed Research, and Collection Challenges packed with unique rewards. Whether you’re hunting for shiny variants or completing themed tasks, this guide will help you make the most of the festive adventure and reap the bountiful rewards before the event ends.

Finding Smoliv and its evolution line is subject to one of two Collection Challenges during the event, while the other of which focuses on Pumpkaboo sizes and evolution Gourgeist.

There are also changes to wild spawns, Field Research, and the way certain Lures work for the duration of the event.

Pokémon Go ’Harvest Festival’ Collection Challenges

The Pokémon Go ’Harvest Festival’ event features multiple Collection Challenges centered around catching and evolving specific Pokémon, primarily Grass-type. There are two main Collection Challenges: one focusing on the four different sizes of Pumpkaboo (Small, Average, Large, and Super), and another on Smoliv and its evolutions, Dolliv and Arboliva. Completing these challenges rewards players with Stardust, XP, and a Grassy Lure Module. The event also includes event-exclusive Field Research tasks that reward encounters with Pumpkaboo and Smoliv, enhancing the chances to complete the challenges. Players must complete these challenges before the event ends to claim the rewards, making it a seasonal opportunity to catch shiny Smoliv and enjoy bonuses like extended Mossy Lure durations and extra Candy for Pumpkaboo catches.

There are two Collection Challenges to complete over the course of the event:

Pumpkaboo Collection Challenge

Pumpkaboo (Small Size)
Pumpkaboo (Average Size)
Pumpkaboo (Large Size)
Pumpkaboo (Super Size)
Gourgeist (Small Size)
Gourgeist (Average Size)
Gourgeist (Large Size)
Gourgeist (Super Size)

Reward: 5,000 XP, 2,500 Stardust, 1x Mossy Lure Module

You can catch all sizes of Pumpkaboo in the wild, from Mossy Lure Modules, in Field Research rewards, and for those who have purchased it, the Ticket of Treats paid research. From there, you must evolve one of each size to get the corresponding Gourgeist.

Smoliv Collection Challenge

Smoliv
Dolliv
Arboliva

Reward: 5,000 XP, 2,500 Stardust, 1x Mossy Lure Module

Smoliv can be found in the wild and as part of Field Research rewards. You need to then earn 125 Candy total to evolve it twice and complete the challenge.

Pokémon Go ’Harvest Festival’ Field Research

During the Pokémon Go Harvest Festival event, players can obtain special event-exclusive Field Research tasks by spinning PokéStops. These tasks focus on catching various Pokémon, particularly Grass-type species like Smoliv and different sizes of Pumpkaboo, fitting the harvest and autumn theme. Completing these tasks rewards encounters with these Pokémon, which also help in completing the event’s Collection Challenges. Notably, tasks include catching 10 Grass-type Pokémon to encounter Burmy variants, catching 15 or 30 Pokémon for Pumpkaboo encounters, and using berries to help catch Pokémon to encounter Smoliv. These Field Research tasks provide a fun way to engage with the event and collect unique Pokémon during its limited run.

You will encounter the following Field Research from spinning PokéStops. Though they can only be collected during event hours, you can keep them in your quest log and complete them at any time after the event ends:

Catch 10 Pokémon (Burmy – Plant, Sand or Trash Coat encounter)
Catch 15 Pokémon (Pumpkaboo encounter)
Catch 30 Pokémon (Pumpkaboo encounter)
Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokémon (Smoliv encounter)

Pokémon Go “Harvest Festival” wild spawns

During the Pokémon Go Harvest Festival event, players can expect an increased frequency of wild spawns featuring a variety of Grass-type Pokémon. Notably, Smoliv and its evolutions Dolliv and Arboliva make their debut, alongside seasonal favorites like Pumpkaboo in its various sizes, Oddish, Exeggcute, Hoppip, Sunkern, Miltank, Zigzagoon, Bunnelby, and Flabébé, which appears in region-specific flower colors. These Pokémon are more commonly found in the wild throughout the event, providing ample opportunity for players to catch them and complete related Field and Timed Research tasks. The event also introduces the chance to encounter Shiny Smoliv and Pumpkaboo, enhancing the excitement for collectors and trainers alike.

The following spawns will be boosted for the duration of the event:

Bellsprout
Bounsweet
Combee
Cottonee
Exeggcute
Blue Flower Flabébé (Asia-Pacific)
Red Flower Flabébé (Europe, Middle East, and Africa)
Yellow Flower Flabébé (Americas)
Petilil
Pumpkaboo
Sewaddle
Smoliv
Sunkern
Wurmple

Pokémon Go ’Harvest Festival’ times, dates and event bonuses

The Pokémon Go Harvest Festival event runs from November 7 at 10:00 a.m. local time to November 12 at 8:00 p.m. local time. During this period, players can enjoy bonuses such as double catch candy and increased chances of encountering shiny Pumpkaboo, along with the debut of shiny Smoliv. The event features a variety of Grass-type Pokémon appearing more frequently in the wild, including Smoliv, Pumpkaboo in multiple sizes, Exeggcute, Miltank, and others. Mossy Lure Modules attract special Pokémon like Alolan Exeggutor and Snorlax during the event. Players can also participate in event-exclusive Field Research, Timed Research (available for purchase), and Collection Challenges to earn rewards such as Stardust and encounters with Smoliv. The event encourages catching and evolving featured Pokémon and includes PokéStop Showcases centered around Smoliv, Pumpkaboo, and Gourgeist.

The “Harvest Festival” runs between Thursday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. local time and Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m. local time,

As well as the above changes to spawns and Field Research, the following bonuses are also in effect until the event ends:

Mossy Lure Modules last for two hours, and have a “higher chance of attracting Pumpkaboo”
Pumpkaboo will provide additional Candy when caught (3 to 5 Candy per catch)

How can I maximize my collection of rare Grass-type Pokémon during the Harvest Festival

To maximize your collection of rare Grass-type Pokémon during the Pokémon GO Harvest Festival, follow these key strategies:

Focus on catching featured Grass-type Pokémon like Smoliv and Pumpkaboo, which have increased spawn rates during the event, including the debut of Shiny Smoliv and boosted shiny rates for Pumpkaboo.
Take advantage of the event’s 2x catch candy bonus to quickly build candy reserves, which helps with evolving and powering up your Grass-type Pokémon.
Use Mossy Lure Modules to attract more Pumpkaboo, especially the Super Size variant, which is more common with these lures than in the wild.
Participate in the event’s Field Research and Premium Timed Research tasks, which reward encounters with Smoliv and Pumpkaboo, plus valuable items like Nanab and Razz Berries to aid catching.
During the Spotlight Hour (November 12 at 6 PM local time), focus on evolving Pumpkaboo to gain double evolution XP; trading Pumpkaboo beforehand allows free evolution during this time, maximizing experience gain.
Mega Evolve a Grass-type Pokémon (such as Mega Venusaur or Mega Sceptile) to increase candy and XL candy gains for Grass-type catches during the event, enhancing your candy farming efficiency.
Complete the Harvest Festival Collection Challenges by catching various sizes of Pumpkaboo and other event Pokémon like Miltank and Exeggcute to earn additional Smoliv encounters and Stardust rewards.

By combining these tactics-targeted catching, using lures, completing research tasks, and timing your evolutions-you’ll efficiently expand your rare Grass-type Pokémon collection during the Harvest Festival.

What are the top Mega evolutions to boost Grass-type spawns during the event

The top Mega Evolutions to boost Grass-type spawns during the Pokémon GO Harvest Festival are:

Mega Venusaur (Grass/Poison): This is the premier Mega Evolution for boosting Grass-type spawns, as it covers a wide range of relevant Grass and Poison-type Pokémon that appear during the event. Mega Venusaur enhances catch candy bonuses and XP for these types, making it highly effective for farming rare Grass-type Pokémon like Smoliv and Pumpkaboo.
Mega Abomasnow (Grass/Ice): While less common, Mega Abomasnow also boosts Grass-type spawns and has the added benefit of boosting Ice-type spawns. It is a strong choice if you want to cover both types during the festival.
Mega Sceptile (Grass/Dragon): Although not as frequently mentioned as Venusaur, Mega Sceptile is another Grass-type Mega Evolution that can boost Grass-type catches during the event, especially if you have it leveled up for Mega Energy efficiency.

Among these, Mega Venusaur stands out as the best overall for maximizing Grass-type candy and XP gains during the Harvest Festival, helping you efficiently expand your rare Grass-type Pokémon collection.