How do I get rid of event Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

To get rid of event Pokémon in Pokémon GO, enable Expanded Group Transfer in settings: tap Poké Ball > Settings > General, then toggle 'Expanded Group Transfer' ON. You can then tap and hold any costume or event Pokémon in your storage to multi-select them and transfer them for Candy.

Why won't Pokémon GO let me mass transfer costume Pokémon?

By default, Pokémon GO enables a safety protection lock preventing accidental transfers of rare, event, and costume Pokémon. You can bypass this restriction by enabling 'Expanded Group Transfer' under Settings > General.

Can event costume Pokémon be evolved in Pokémon GO?

Some event Pokémon can evolve (such as Party Hat starters, Flower Crown Eevee, or Spooky Festival variants), retaining their costume on evolution. Other event Pokémon cannot evolve because Niantic did not create 3D models with the costume for higher evolutions.

Can you transfer event Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?

Most event costume Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME because the HOME database does not support costume sprite variations. However, transferring standard eligible Pokémon will still unlock the Mystery Box in Pokémon GO for Meltan spawns.

Do you get Candy XL when transferring event Pokémon?

Yes. For trainers level 31 and above, transferring event Pokémon has the standard chance of awarding Candy XL based on the Pokémon's level. Higher CP/level event Pokémon offer a significantly higher probability of granting Candy XL.

How to Get Rid of Event Pokémon in Pokémon GO (Costume Transfer Guide)

If your Pokémon storage is full of costume Pikachu, party hat starters, and duplicate holiday spawns, you might find that Pokémon GO blocks you from transferring them normally. Fortunately, you can easily clear your inventory once you enable the right setting.

Quick Answer: How to get rid of event Pokémon in Pokémon GO

Open the Main Menu (Poké Ball) → Settings (gear icon) → General.

Scroll down and turn on Expanded Group Transfer.

Go back to your Pokémon Storage, tap and hold any costume or event Pokémon to enter multi-select mode, and choose all unwanted event Pokémon.

Tap Transfer in the bottom-left corner and confirm the prompt to convert them into Candy.

Why Does Pokémon GO Block Event Pokémon Transfers by Default?

Niantic implemented a safety lock preventing players from accidentally mass-transferring limited-edition event Pokémon, shiny Pokémon, and legendary creatures. Because costume Pokémon (such as Santa hat Pikachu, Halloween Gengar, or Bowtie Lapras) rarely return with the exact same variant, the default game configuration requires either individual confirmation or an explicit settings toggle.

Method 1: Enable “Expanded Group Transfer” for Mass Transfer

If you have dozens of event Pokémon clogging your box, transferring them one by one is agonizingly slow. Here is how to unlock mass transfers:

Tap the Poké Ball icon at the bottom of the map screen.
Tap Settings in the top-right corner.
Tap General in the settings menu.
Locate the Expanded Group Transfer toggle and switch it ON.
Return to your Pokémon inventory.
Press and hold any costume or event Pokémon until it is highlighted green.
Select every duplicate event Pokémon you wish to remove.
Tap Transfer and tap Yes on the confirmation dialog (“Do you really want to transfer these event Pokémon?”).

Method 2: Transfer Event Pokémon Individually

If you only need to remove one or two event Pokémon and do not want to alter your global settings:

Open your Pokémon box and select the specific event Pokémon.
Ensure the Favorite (Star) icon in the top-right corner is turned off.
Tap the Menu (☰) icon in the lower-right corner.
Select Transfer.
Tap Yes when the prompt asks: “Do you really want to transfer this event Pokémon?”

Method 3: Transfer to Pokémon HOME (Unlock the Meltan Mystery Box)

Instead of sending event Pokémon to Professor Willow for a single Candy, you can transfer eligible Pokémon to Pokémon HOME:

Free Mystery Box: Sending any Pokémon to Pokémon HOME activates the Mystery Box in Pokémon GO, allowing you to spawn Mythical Meltan for 60 minutes.
Costume Limitations: Note that certain costume-specific assets (like hats or flower crowns) cannot be sent to Pokémon HOME; the game will display a red icon indicating costume assets cannot leave Pokémon GO.

Troubleshooting: Why Won’t Pokémon GO Let Me Transfer an Event Pokémon?

If you enabled Expanded Group Transfer and still cannot select an event Pokémon, check these four common restrictions:

The Pokémon is Favorited: Look at the star icon in the top-right corner of the Pokémon’s stat screen. A favorited Pokémon is locked against all transfers. Tap the star to unfavorite it.
Assigned as Your Active Buddy: You cannot transfer a Pokémon that is currently walking with you as your buddy. Swap buddies first.
Defending a Gym: A Pokémon stationed at a Gym cannot be transferred until it is knocked out and returned to your bag.
Mythical or Special Event Species: Certain special event Mythicals (such as Cosmog, Marshadow, or Diancie) are restricted from standard transfers to prevent permanent account progression loss.

Maximize Your Event Farming

Now that your storage is cleared, make sure your bag is prepped for upcoming events and raid days:

Live & Upcoming Events Tracker: Check active event spawns, wild catch bonuses, and regional start times.
Pokémon GO Event Calendar: View the complete monthly calendar for Community Days, Raid Hours, and Max Mondays.
Raid Schedule & Counters Hub: Find top counters and active 5-star and Mega Raid Bosses.
Coordinates Hub: Explore verified high-density PokéStop hotspots for quick item restocks.