Pokemon Go Halloween event 2017 release date, end date, start time, Gen 3 update

Pokemon Go trainers, get your Pokeballs at the ready – the Halloween event 2017 release date is at last here, with the start time and Gen 3 update almost upon us.

Fans will soon be able to catch a new selection of Gen 3 Ghost Pokemon when the big Pokemon Go Halloween update goes live later on today.

Niantic confirmed the start time and end date for the spooky event on iOS and Android in a big announcement yesterday. 

They also released a teaser trailer on the Pokemon Go Twitter account to get fans excited ahead of the Halloween event 2017 starting.

The teaser trailer promised “more spooky Pokemon” are coming to Pokemon Go this Halloween.

Alongside the trailer, they tweeted: “Gastly and Cubone are back again for #PokemonGOHalloween, and this time, they’re bringing a few friends.”

The Pokemon Go Halloween trailer gave a glimpse of some of the Gen 3 creatures that trainers will be able to catch later today when the upcoming event starts in Pokemon Go.

Last year’s Halloween event was the first ever event held in the Pokemon Go world.

But this year it’s lasting for a MUCH longer time period, giving trainers more time to add those new Gen 3 Ghost Pokemon Go their Pokedex.

Ahead of the Pokemon Go Halloween event 2017 kicking off, Express.co.uk has got all you need to know about the big update. 

We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the release date, start time, Gen 3, Halloween rewards and the end date.

And we’ll be updating this piece throughout the day, keeping you up-to-date on when the big Halloween event goes live in Pokemon Go.

POKEMON GO HALLOWEEN EVENT 2017 – WHAT IS START TIME ON RELEASE DATE?

It was revealed yesterday on the Pokemon Go Live website that the Pokemon Go Halloween event 2017 release date is Friday October 20.

Niantic also gave a start for the big Halloween update.

The Halloween fun in Pokemon Go all kicks off at 12pm PDT / 8pm BST.

The Pokemon Go Halloween event is starting this year almost a week earlier than last year.

In 2016, Pokemon Go Halloween festivities all began on October 26 and finished shortly afterwards on November 1.

This year, the Pokemon Go Halloween event will be running for much longer.

POKEMON GO HALLOWEEN EVENT 2017 – WHAT IS THE END DATE AND FINISH TIME?

Last year the Pokemon Go Halloween festivities lasted for just under a week.

This year, the 2017 event will last for almost TWO weeks.

Niantic have said the Pokemon Go Halloween event 2017 will end in iOS and Android on November 2.

The end time for the event is 1pm PDT.

POKEMON GO HALLOWEEN EVENT 2017 – WILL GEN 3 BE IN THE UPCOMING UPDATE?

Yes! After much speculation, it has been confirmed that the first wave of Gen 3 Pokemon will be arriving with the Halloween event 2017.

The teaser trailer released yesterday for Pokemon Go Halloween gave a glimpse of the Gen 3 Pokemon trainers will be able to catch during this spooky time of year.

Gen 3 Pokemon featured in the trailer include Sableye, Banette, Duskull and Dusclops.

Gen 3 Pokemon are the pocket monsters that first appeared in Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire back on the Nintendo Game Boy Advance in 2002.

POKEMON GO HALLOWEEN EVENT 2017 – WILL PIKACHU GET A NEW OUTFIT?

As with other Pokemon Go events, Pikachu will be getting a brand new outfit.

And – as you’d expect – the iconic electric Pokemon looks absolutely adorable in it.

For the Pokemon Go Halloween event 2017, Pikachu will be wearing a purple witch’s hat.

Pokemon Go trainers will also be able to put a hat on their own character.

The new trainer hat is themed around Gen 7 creature Mimikyu.

POKEMON GO HALLOWEEN EVENT 2017 – WHAT ARE THE REWARDS?

The Pokemon Go team have outlined all the rewards trainers will be able to get during the Halloween event.

Here’s what they had to say: “You’ll earn extra Candy while you’re out trick-or-treating with your Buddy Pokémon: Candy rewards from catching, hatching, and transferring Pokémon will be doubled, and your buddy will find Candy twice as fast during the Halloween celebration! 

“Last but not least, you’ll have the opportunity to stock up for your upcoming adventures with special boxes from the in-game shop, featuring items such as Raid Passes and Super Incubators.”

Pokemon Go can be downloaded right now for iOS from the App Store and for Android from the Google Play Store.

POKEMON GO UPDATE – WHAT OTHER BIG NEWS IS HAPPENING?

Ahead of the Pokemon Go Halloween event announcement yesterday, Niantic revealed some big news that could make legendary raids easier for trainers.

John Hanke, CEO of the Pokemon Go developer, said his company is working on a new feature that will allow players to communicate with each other in the game.

Not only will make it easier to organise Legendary Raids, it will enable teams to potentially come up with strategies and offer advice.

Hanke revealed the news in a recent interview with Taiwanese magazine Business Weekly.

The comments came after it emerged new invites for a wave of EX Raids, featuring MewTwo, that are allegedly happened TODAY have been sent out to Trainers.

These new Raids are reportedly being held at both Sponsored and unsponsored Gyms worldwide.

It looks like Niantic are set to test the biggest amount of EX Raids yet, although they will differ from earlier ones.