Pokémon GO Horizons Event: Friede’s Goggles Charmander Is Here

The Pokémon Horizons Celebration Event is now live in Pokémon GO, featuring Friede’s Goggles Charmander, Cap’s Hat Pikachu, special Raids, Field Research, GO Pass rewards, and more.

Charmander can evolve into Charmeleon and Charizard while keeping Friede’s goggles. Here’s what to know before the event ends.

Event Time

The Pokémon Horizons Celebration Event runs from:

September 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to September 22, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time.

This gives Trainers nearly a full week to collect the featured Pokémon, complete Field Research, progress through the GO Pass, and look for special versions of the event Pokémon.

 

Friede’s Goggles Charmander Makes Its Debut

The biggest addition is Charmander wearing Friede’s goggles, based on the Pokémon associated with Friede in Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

The costume stays with Charmander throughout its evolution line:

• 25 Charmander Candy → Friede’s Goggles Charmeleon
• 100 Charmander Candy → Friede’s Goggles Charizard

Lucky Trainers can also encounter Shiny or Special Background versions of eligible event Pokémon.

If you're collecting different versions, it may be worth keeping several Charmander rather than immediately evolving every one you catch.

 

How To Get Friede’s Goggles Charmander

There are several ways to encounter the new costumed Charmander during the event.

You can find it through:

• Wild encounters
• Event Field Research
• Regular Lure Modules
• GO Pass rewards

There is also another option if you want the fully evolved form. Friede’s Goggles Charizard appears in Three-Star Raids, giving Trainers a direct way to target the costumed Charizard without collecting enough Candy to evolve Charmander.

This makes the event useful for both collectors who want to build the full evolution line and players who simply want the special Charizard.

 

Field Research Adds More Event Encounters

Event-themed Field Research is available throughout the celebration.

Some of the confirmed tasks include:

• Catch 10 Fire-type Pokémon → encounters with Friede’s Goggles Charmander, Fidough, or Wattrel
• Make an Excellent Throw → Friede’s Goggles Charmander
• Make 5 Great Throws → Sprigatito
• Win a Raid → Chansey or Lapras
• Win 2 Raids → Cap’s Hat Pikachu

Field Research therefore gives Trainers more than just another way to find Charmander. It also provides encounters with several other Pokémon connected to the event.

 

Raids Feature Charizard and Cap’s Hat Pikachu

The Raid lineup includes several Pokémon tied to the celebration.

One-Star Raids

• Pikachu wearing Cap’s hat

Three-Star Raids

• Charizard wearing Friede’s goggles
• Meowscarada
• Skeledirge
• Quaquaval

Some eligible Raid encounters can also have Shiny or Special Background versions, giving collectors another reason to check the event Raid lineup.

If your main goal is the costumed Charizard, Three-Star Raids offer a direct alternative to evolving Charmander yourself.

 

Day And Night Encounters Are Different

Some wild encounters change depending on the time of day.

5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Trainers can encounter:

• Fidough
• Wattrel
• Chansey as a less common encounter

5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The featured encounters include:

• Eevee
• Hatenna
• Rockruff as a less common encounter

Friede’s Goggles Charmander can also appear during the event, while Cap’s Hat Pikachu can appear as an additional encounter.

If you're looking for specific Pokémon, checking both time windows is worthwhile instead of relying on one spawn pool throughout the day.

 

Kecleon Is Easier To Find

The event also increases the chance of encountering Kecleon at PokéStops.

This isn't directly connected to the Charmander collection, but it gives Trainers another reason to visit PokéStops while completing Field Research and gathering event resources.

If you're already moving between PokéStops for research tasks, it's worth checking for Kecleon along the way.

 

GO Pass Offers Extra Event Rewards

The celebration also features a limited-time GO Pass: Collaboration Celebration Event.

The free GO Pass is available during the event. Trainers earn GO Points and increase their rank to unlock additional rewards, including Pokémon encounters, XP, Lure Modules, and other items.

Several progression rewards are particularly useful:

• Rank 1: 2× Candy from catching Pokémon
• Rank 10: Regular Lure Modules last for one hour and can attract featured Pokémon
• Rank 20: Additional Stardust when catching Hatenna and Wattrel

A paid GO Pass Deluxe is also available with additional rewards and faster progression.

GO Pass rewards that have been unlocked need to be claimed by September 24 at 8:00 p.m. local time, even though the main event ends on September 22.

 

What Should You Prioritize?

If you're mainly interested in the new content, Friede’s Goggles Charmander is the clearest first target.

Try to collect enough Candy to evolve one into Friede’s Goggles Charizard, while keeping an eye out for Shiny and Special Background versions.

After that, your priorities can depend on what you're collecting:

• Check PokéStops for Kecleon
• Complete event Field Research
• Check day and night wild encounters
• Join Three-Star Raids for Friede’s Goggles Charizard
• Progress through the GO Pass
• Save extra Charmander if you want to build a complete costumed evolution line

You don't need to complete every activity to get the main event rewards. For most collectors, focusing on the costumed Charmander and Charizard first makes the most sense.

 

Pokémon Horizons Event Ends September 22

The Pokémon Horizons Celebration Event runs until September 22, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time.

The main highlights are Friede’s Goggles Charmander, Cap’s Hat Pikachu, special Raids, Field Research, Kecleon encounters, and GO Pass rewards.

If you’re short on time, prioritize Friede’s Goggles Charmander, Field Research, and Three-Star Charizard Raids before the event ends.