The Carnival of Flamigo event brings Pokémon GO's first opportunity to catch Flamigo, a Flying and Fighting-type Pokémon originally from the Paldea region. Running from Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM to Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 8:00 PM local time, the event features extended Incense duration, bonus Stardust, and increased shiny encounter rates for three featured species.
Event bonuses active throughout the week
Several bonuses apply globally during the event window. Standard Incense lasts twice as long, and Daily Adventure Incense also receives double duration, extending from the usual 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Every Flamigo caught awards 500 additional Stardust on top of the base 100, making it a worthwhile target for Stardust farming. Shiny Lotad, Shiny Spritzee, and Shiny Pikipek all have boosted encounter rates in the wild.
Wild spawns during Carnival of Flamigo
Event-themed Pokémon appear more frequently in the wild. Common spawns include Lotad, Buneary, Pikipek, Spinarak, Surskit, Finneon, Petilil, and Bounsweet. Rarer encounters feature Spritzee, Frillish, and Flamigo itself. While Flamigo can spawn in the wild, early player reports suggest it appears less frequently than other featured species, so Field Research tasks offer a more reliable path to encounters.
Field Research tasks and encounter rewards
Spinning PokéStops during the event yields event-exclusive Field Research tasks. These tasks are generally straightforward, focusing on catching Pokémon, making Curveball Throws, spinning stops, and walking short distances.
| Task | Possible Rewards |
|---|---|
| Catch 10 Pokémon | Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly |
| Make 3 Curveball Throws in a row | Flamigo or Lotad |
| Make 5 Curveball Throws | Petilil, Frillish, or Pikipek |
| Make a Great Curveball Throw | Flamigo |
| Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms | Lotad, Finneon, or Bounsweet |
| Explore 2 km | Surskit or Spritzee |
The "Make a Great Curveball Throw" task guarantees a Flamigo encounter, making it the most efficient method for hunting specific IVs. A perfect IV Flamigo from research encounters displays 1181 CP.
Collection Challenges
Two Collection Challenges run during the event, each rewarding 2,500 XP and 2,500 Stardust upon completion, plus a bonus encounter.
Festive Friends requires catching Pikipek, Lotad, Spinarak, and Bounsweet. Completing this challenge rewards a Spritzee encounter.
Colors of Joy requires catching Spritzee, Buneary, Finneon, and Surskit. Completing this challenge rewards a Flamigo encounter.
Both challenges contribute to the Elite Collector medal, so completing them adds progress toward that achievement.
Free Timed Research
A two-stage free Timed Research quest is available to all players. Tasks involve spinning PokéStops, making Curveball Throws, using Incense, and landing Great Curveball Throws. Rewards include Stardust, Incense, and encounters with Lotad, Pikipek, Spinarak, and Flamigo. Each stage completion grants 2,500 XP, 2,500 Stardust, and a Flamigo encounter.
All Timed Research rewards must be claimed before the event ends on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 8:00 PM local time.
Paid Timed Research and the Ultra Ticket Box
A premium Timed Research ticket costs $4.99 (or equivalent local pricing) and includes tasks like spinning stops, making Curveball Throws, catching Pokémon, and using Berries. Rewards include 10 Pinap Berries, 10 Ultra Balls, 1 Star Piece, 3,000 Stardust, encounters with Lotad, Pikipek, Spritzee, and Flamigo, plus an exclusive avatar pose.
The Carnival of Flamigo Ultra Ticket Box, available for $4.99 through the Pokémon GO Web Store, bundles the premium research ticket with a Premium Battle Pass and 60 Reward Points. Purchasing through the web store also contributes to GO Points progress.
Flamigo stats and battle potential
Flamigo is a Flying and Fighting-type Pokémon that does not evolve. Its max CP reaches 3,117, with an Attack stat of 227, Defense of 145, and Stamina of 193. Fast moves include Wing Attack and Double Kick, while charged moves are Aerial Ace, Close Combat, and Brave Bird. The dual typing creates weaknesses to Electric, Fairy, Flying, Ice, and Psychic attacks.
With solid Attack and access to Close Combat, Flamigo shows promise in PvP formats and as a budget Flying-type raid attacker. Players looking to build one for Ultra League or Great League should hunt for specific IV spreads through research encounters.
Maximizing Daily Adventure Incense during the event
The doubled Daily Adventure Incense duration creates an extended window for encountering rare spawns, including the Galarian Legendary birds. Walking in a straight line rather than circling back maximizes spawn frequency, as the game measures distance traveled in 30-second intervals. Windy weather boosts Flying-type spawn rates, potentially increasing Galarian bird encounter chances.
Players who reach Rank 50 in the February GO Pass unlock an additional 2× Daily Adventure Incense duration bonus, which can stack with the event bonus for up to one hour of active Incense time.
The Carnival of Flamigo event offers a solid week for shiny hunters targeting Lotad, Spritzee, and Pikipek, while the Flamigo debut provides a new Pokédex entry and potential PvP contender. Completing both Collection Challenges and the free Timed Research guarantees multiple Flamigo encounters without spending any money, and the straightforward Field Research tasks make rapid progress toward other goals like the Shiny Keldeo Masterwork Research feasible during the event window.
