Pokémon turns 30: Theme parks, live events and ways to celebrate
Pokémon’s 30th-anniversary celebration is moving beyond video games and television screens, with new attractions, concerts, trading cards and real-world events bringing Trainers together throughout 2026.
The franchise began with the release of “Pokémon Red” and “Pokémon Green” in Japan on Feb. 27, 1996. Three decades later, visitors can explore a permanent Pokémon attraction in Japan, attend an electronic dance music concert in Los Angeles or collect anniversary merchandise and trading cards closer to home.
Today, Sept. 16, the Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration expansion launches worldwide. Here are some of the physical places, events, food and collectibles marking 30 years of Pokémon.
Visit PokéPark Kanto in Japan
PokéPark Kanto opened Feb. 5 inside Yomiuriland, an amusement park in the Tama Hills area of Tokyo. Pokémon describes it as the first permanent outdoor attraction dedicated to the franchise.
The experience is divided into Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town. Pokémon Forest follows a roughly 500-meter path populated by more than 600 Pokémon figures placed among hills, grass, tunnels and other natural surroundings. The outdoor setting is designed to resemble a habitat where visitors can observe Pokémon interacting with one another.
Photo by Mai
PokéPark Kanto requires its own admission in addition to entry requirements for Yomiuriland.
Explore the Pokémon Fossil Museum in Chicago
The Pokémon Fossil Museum made its North American debut at Chicago’s Field Museum, where the special exhibition continues through April 11, 2027.
The exhibit places Fossil Pokémon alongside their real-world prehistoric counterparts, allowing visitors to compare creatures such as Tyrantrum and Archeops with actual fossils. Pikachu appears as an aspiring “Fossil Professor,” helping visitors explore the similarities between Pokémon and paleontology.
The Pokémon Fossil Museum is located on the Field Museum’s main floor and requires an add-on ticket in addition to museum admission. The Field Museum is at 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.
Pokémon is coming to Universal theme parks
Universal Studios Japan and The Pokémon Company announced a new global theme park project in January 2026.
The collaboration will begin at Universal Studios Japan with what the companies described as innovative and immersive Pokémon experiences. After the project debuts in Japan, Universal Destinations & Experiences plans to introduce unique Pokémon experiences elsewhere across its global portfolio.
Courtesy of Universal Studios Japan
That portfolio includes Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Beijing Resort, among other destinations. However, Universal has not announced which parks will receive Pokémon experiences after Japan. Attraction formats, locations and opening dates also remain unconfirmed.
The project expands an existing relationship between Pokémon and Universal Studios Japan. Pokémon characters have appeared in the Osaka park’s parades and Halloween entertainment since the companies established a long-term partnership in 2021.
Attend Pokémon Night Out in Los Angeles or London
Pokémon Night Out will combine Pokémon animation with electronic dance music during two arena events this fall.
The first takes place Oct. 24 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. A second follows Nov. 10 at The O2 in London. Marshmello will headline both concerts, with Alison Wonderland appearing as the supporting act.
Pokémon describes the production as a musical experience that uses animation and technology to bring its characters into an arena setting. Tickets are sold separately through the ticketing partner linked for each venue.
Event merchandise includes shirts, a poster, hat and tote, along with a location-exclusive pin. Select merchandise will also be available through Pokémon Center.
The Los Angeles concert provides the largest remaining U.S. anniversary event currently listed on Pokémon’s official 30th-anniversary website.
Pokémon Sleep appears on the Las Vegas Sphere
Pokémon also appeared on one of Las Vegas’ largest landmarks during its anniversary year. A Pokémon Sleep activation transformed the Exosphere at Sphere into a giant Poké Ball before displaying Mew and other Pokémon in dreamlike scenes inspired by the sleep-tracking game.
The display was created for Pokémon Sleep and was not officially presented as part of the 30th-anniversary campaign. Still, it offered another prominent example of Pokémon entering a physical entertainment destination in 2026.
Join Pokémon GO events in real-world locations
Pokémon GO has supported the anniversary with in-game activities that encourage players to explore their communities. The celebration continues through PokéXciting!, a series of real-world events in the Asia-Pacific region. The events feature Pokémon GO gameplay, photo opportunities, community gatherings and regional versions of costumed Pikachu.
Following the September event in Kuala Lumpur, announced stops include Taipei on Oct. 10-11 and Singapore on Nov. 7-8. Manila will host the event Jan. 23-24, 2027, followed by Bangkok on Feb. 13-14.
Celebrate with Pokémon food and restaurant experiences
The anniversary has also reached restaurants, with Pokémon food, collectibles and activities appearing in several countries.
KFC Singapore combines food, collectibles and Pokémon activities
KFC Singapore’s Pokémon collaboration runs through Sept. 29 with a Japanese-inspired menu and a series of collectible items.
The limited-time food includes a Japanese Nanban Zinger, Japanese Nanban Chicken Bites, Japanese Nanban Loaded Fries and Sweet Potato Mochi Balls. Some meals are served in a collectible Poké Ball chicken bucket.
Other merchandise includes reversible blind pouches, Pikachu and Gengar gaming chopsticks and a Charizard evolution jacket. Five KFC restaurants received Pokémon-type makeovers, while 71 locations became PokéStops or Gyms in Pokémon GO. Selected restaurants are also hosting free beginner Pokémon TCG tutorials during September.
See the KFC Singapore Pokémon promotion
Dine at a Pokémon Cafe in Japan
The official Pokémon Cafes in Tokyo and Osaka offer a year-round destination for themed dining. Current dishes include Pikachu and Pichu curry, a Snorlax teriyaki burger, an Eevee fruit pancake, a Mimikyu omelet and a Greninja white-peach drink.
The cafes are not anniversary-exclusive experiences, but they provide another way to celebrate Pokémon in person during its 30th year. Advance reservations are required.
See the current Pokémon Cafe menu
Look for the Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration collection
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is marking the anniversary with its “30th Celebration” expansion, released worldwide Sept. 16.
Each booster pack contains five foil cards and one foil Basic Energy card. The expansion includes 30 different Pikachu illustrations, with a Pikachu card appearing in every pack. It also revisits cards from the game’s history through a Classic Collection.
The Ultra-Premium Collection — Day & Night is also planned for November. Two versions pair Pikachu ex with either Espeon ex or Umbreon ex and include 29 standard booster packs, one Classic Collection booster pack and themed accessories.
Interest in Pokémon cards was already rising before the anniversary expansion arrived. An analysis by CardTrack found that Florida recorded the country’s largest percentage increase in searches for individual Pokémon cards, rising 110.9% from July-September 2025 to April-June 2026. Searches increased 101.7% nationwide during the same comparison periods.
Products are sold through Pokémon Center and retailers that carry Pokémon TCG merchandise. Availability may vary due to demand.
See the Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration products
Shop Pokémon’s anniversary merchandise
Pokémon Center introduced a dedicated 30th-anniversary merchandise collection in February. The line uses the anniversary’s day-and-night imagery across apparel, plush, pins, home goods and other collectibles.
Several other brands have released or announced merchandise for the anniversary year.
Pokémon Polaroid cameras
Polaroid’s limited-edition Pokémon collection includes three instant cameras: Pikachu and Sylveon versions of the Polaroid Go Generation 3 and a Poké Ball-inspired Polaroid Now Generation 3.
The collection also includes Pokémon-themed instant film, a Poké Ball camera case, a shoulder strap and a photo album. Preorders are open, with shipping scheduled to begin Sept. 29 through Polaroid and Pokémon Center.
See the Polaroid Pokémon collection
Lego Pokémon Smart Play sets
Lego Pokémon Smart Play sets introduce buildable Pokémon with digitally enhanced play features. The collection also includes a Lego Pokémon Center set offered as a gift with qualifying purchases. We tested them out during the Lego Festival inside the Pokémon Training Center at Legoland Florida.
Photo by Dani Meyering
See the Lego Pokémon announcement
Some anniversary merchandise may sell out or return in limited restocks. Pokémon Center does not guarantee whether individual products will be replenished, so collectors should check the official store for current availability.
Visit the Pokémon Center 30th Collection
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