Pokemon GO's 8th Anniversary Party will feature Shiny Meltan encounters and Shiny Celebi paid research

Pokemon GO is gearing up for its 8th Anniversary Party, with Niantic finally announcing the specifics of what players can expect during the celebrations. The event will see a couple of costumed critter debuts, the option to open Meltan Mystery Boxes more often, several event bonuses, a paid research to encounter Shiny Celebi, and plenty more.

The 8th Anniversary Party event is slated to run from Friday, June 28, at 10 am local time to Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 8 pm local time. Interestingly, the much anticipated Mega Rayquaza return will take place during this time on June 29, albeit as Elite Raids.

---

Pokemon GO 8th Anniversary Party takes place later in June

The 8th Anniversary Party will see the debuts of Party Hat Grimer and Party Hat Muk in-game. Lucky trainers can also come across shiny variants of these two. For those searching for Shiny Meltan, the upcoming event will allow them to open Meltan Mystery Box in Pokemon GO more frequently and encounter the rare variant.

Trainers will also be able to purchase Whispers in the Woods Masterwork Research, a US$5.00 questline that will provide them with an encounter with Shiny Celebi. Apart from this, there will also be a paid Timed Research, an event-themed Timed Research, and event-themed Field Research tasks.

The 8th Anniversary Party event will feature a variety of wild encounters and raid bosses, including Party Hat Bulbasaur, Party Hat Charmander, and Party Hat Squirtle. Trainers will also be able to pick up several new avatar items from the in-game shop during the event.

New avatar items (Image via Niantic)

Some of the event bonuses that trainers will get to enjoy are as follows:

• Increased chance to become Lucky Friends.
• Increased chance to get Lucky Pokémon in trades.
• Friendship levels will increase faster than normal through opening Gifts, trading Pokémon, or battling together in raids, Gyms, or Trainer Battles!
• Chance of finding 8 or 88 (or maybe more!) Gimmighoul Coins when you spin a PokéStop with a Golden Lure Module.

As far as an anniversary party goes, the Pokemon GO 8th Anniversary Party may feel a little lukewarm. Shiny Celebi is locked behind a paid research questline. The possibility of a Shiny Meltan is exciting, but triggering Meltan encounters in Pokemon GO is an arduous affair. Other than these, it is set to be a starter Pokemon galore.

---

Check out other Pokemon GO articles:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters