The Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago event is officially live in Pokémon GO! Whether you’re a day-one veteran or a returning trainer, this comprehensive guide covers absolutely everything you need to know to make the most of this event.
The event runs from July 14, 2018 to July 15, 2018. Read on for our complete breakdown of bonuses, featured Pokémon, preparation tips, shiny chances, and strategies to maximize your rewards.
📅 Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago — Event Details
| 📛 Event Name | Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago |
| 🏷️ Event Type | Pokemon go fest |
| 📆 Start Date | July 14, 2018 |
| 📆 End Date | July 15, 2018 |
| 🎮 Game | Pokémon GO |
| 🌍 Availability | Worldwide (local time) |
🎯 Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago — Complete Guide & Strategy
About This Premium Event
This is a major Pokémon GO event that typically features region-themed content, exclusive Pokémon encounters, special research storylines, and unique bonuses. These events are often the highlight of the year for many trainers.
Free vs Ticketed Content
Major events usually have both free content (available to all trainers) and ticketed content (requiring an in-game purchase). Free content typically includes featured wild spawns and basic bonuses, while ticketed content adds exclusive Special Research, rare encounters, and premium bonuses.
Preparing for the Event
For major events, preparation is key. We recommend having at least 200 Poké Balls, 100 Great Balls, 50 Ultra Balls, plenty of berries, and at least 200 free Pokémon storage slots. Stock up on raid passes, incense, and star pieces as well.
🎒 How to Prepare for Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago
Proper preparation can make the difference between a good event and an incredible one. Follow these tips to ensure you’re ready for everything Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago has to offer:
✅ Check the event calendar in the game’s News section and set reminders for start times, bonus windows, and any special raid hours.
✅ Stock up on Poké Balls, Great Balls, and Ultra Balls before the event starts. Open gifts from friends and spin PokéStops during your daily routine to build your supply. Running out of balls mid-event is every trainer’s nightmare.
✅ Expand your Item Bag to at least 1,500 items if possible. Events often include special items, new research rewards, and bonuses that fill up your bag quickly.
✅ Clear out your Pokémon Storage by transferring unwanted Pokémon. You’ll need space for all the event encounters, potential hundos, and shiny Pokémon. Consider holding a mass-transfer session the day before.
💰 Maximizing Your Rewards During Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago
Every event in Pokémon GO comes with special bonuses. Smart trainers know how to stack these bonuses for maximum efficiency. Here’s how to get the most out of this event:
💡 If the event features Egg pool changes, collect fresh 2km, 5km, and 7km eggs during the event period. Eggs picked up before the event will hatch the old pool.
💡 If there are XP bonuses active, stack a Lucky Egg with Excellent throws for maximum gains. Each Excellent throw with a Lucky Egg during 2× XP can net you 2,000+ XP per catch.
💡 Use Star Pieces during any Stardust bonus windows. Combine them with weather-boosted catches and Mega Evolution bonuses for exponential Stardust gains.
💡 Keep an eye on Raid Bosses — they often rotate to match the event theme. New or returning Legendary Pokémon are common during major events.
✨ Shiny Pokémon During Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago
Many events introduce new shiny Pokémon or significantly boost the shiny rate for certain species. Tap on every single featured Pokémon to maximize your chances — you never know which encounter could be the shiny!
New shiny Pokémon are frequently introduced during events. Keep your eyes open for any announcements about shiny debuts — being among the first to catch a newly released shiny is always exciting! For a complete list of all available shinies, check our Shiny Pokémon checklist.
Shiny Checking Tips: You can tell if a Pokémon is shiny from the encounter screen by looking for sparkles and a different color palette. If you see a shiny, use a Golden Razz Berry and an Ultra Ball to ensure the catch. Shiny Pokémon from raids and research have a 100% catch rate (as long as you hit them with the ball).
⚔️ PvP & GO Battle League Relevance
If the event includes special cups or formats, use this time to build and test your teams. Practice in unranked before jumping into ranked matches.
When evaluating Pokémon for PvP during events, pay special attention to IVs. In Great League and Ultra League, the ideal PvP IVs are typically 0/15/15 or close to it — low Attack with high Defense and Stamina maximizes your stat product under the CP cap. Use our Pokédex to find specific PvP IV rankings for each Pokémon.
🏟️ Raid Guide for Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago
Raids are a core part of most Pokémon GO events. During Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago, expect changes to the raid boss rotation. Here’s what you need to know:
- 1-Star Raids: Great for solo trainers, often feature event-themed Pokémon
- 3-Star Raids: Soloable with strong teams, good rewards
- 5-Star Raids: Legendary Pokémon, need 3-6 trainers depending on counters
- Mega Raids: Mega-evolved Pokémon, excellent for farming Mega Energy
Remember to check the Type Chart for type advantages against raid bosses, and build your teams using the Best Attackers list for the most effective counters.
🏆 Pro Tips & Tricks for Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago
🎯 Trade With Friends: After the event, trade duplicate shinies and high-level catches with friends. Lucky trades guarantee at least 12/12/12 IVs, which can turn a good catch into a great one.
🎯 Weather Boost Awareness: Keep an eye on in-game weather. Weather-boosted Pokémon have higher IVs (minimum 4/4/4) and give extra Stardust. If the event features a type that’s currently weather-boosted, you’ll find even better specimens.
🎯 Buddy System: Set your buddy to a Pokémon that benefits from the event. If featured Pokémon are from a specific type, a Mega-evolved Pokémon of that type will give you extra candy for every catch of that type. Check our Buddy Distance chart for walking distances.
🎯 Plan Your Route: Before the event starts, identify areas with high PokéStop and gym density. Parks, shopping centers, and downtown areas typically have the best spawn density for events.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago
Q: When does Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago start and end?
A: The event starts on July 14, 2018 and ends on July 15, 2018. All times are in your local timezone.
Q: Is Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago available worldwide?
A: Most Pokémon GO events are available globally, running in each trainer’s local timezone. Some features like regional Pokémon or in-person events may have location restrictions.
Q: Do I need a ticket for Pokémon GO Fest 2018 Chicago?
A: This event is free for all trainers. However, optional premium content like Timed Research or event boxes may be available for purchase.
Q: Can I get shiny Pokémon during this event?
A: Yes! Most events feature Pokémon with available shiny forms, and some events introduce new shiny releases. Check our Shiny Pokémon checklist for the full list of available shinies.
Q: What should I prioritize during the event?
A: Focus on catching featured Pokémon (especially shinies and high-IVs), completing event research tasks, taking advantage of bonus multipliers, and participating in event raids. Use Lucky Eggs and Star Pieces during bonus windows for maximum efficiency.
📚 Related Guides & Resources
This guide is updated as new information becomes available. Last updated: May 19, 2026. Data sourced from Pokémon GO Live and community research.