Pokémon GO’s long-running monthly event, Community Day, turned 4 years old in 2022. Four years means a plethora of Pokémon have been shown off with special, event-exclusive attacks and increased Shiny rates. Yet, for newer Trainers, chances are they’ve missed out on most of these gatherings.
In January 2022 (during the Season of Heritage), Niantic brought back a Community Day from 2018 (Bulbasaur’s Community Day) and called it Community Day Classic. This event was based on the old Community Day format (hours, previous Community Day Pokémon, and more), with a slight upgrade (namely including photobomb encounters).
What was thought to be a one-time event (or a simple test) is now turning into a potential series. Niantic held a second Community Day Classic in April 2022 and, thus, Community Day Classic events have continued since. Read on for all the details about this month’s event which will transport you to June 2022’s Community Day.
When will Pokémon GO’s May 2026 Community Day Classic take place?
May 2026‘s Community Day Classic will be happening on Saturday, May 16th, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time.
What Pokémon is showcased in May 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
The Pokémon featured for this May 2026‘s Community Day Classic event is Deino. You’ll find that Deino will be appearing more frequently in the wild and, if you’re lucky, you might even encounter a Shiny one!
What is the exclusive attack for May 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
Evolve Deino into their final evolution (Deino to Zweilous to Hydreigon) and you’ll have a Hydreigon that will know Brutal Swing (Charged Attack).
Brutal Swing is the Charged Attack that Hydreigon could learn during its original Community Day event in June 2022. Its stats are the following:
- Trainer Battles: 55 power
- Gyms and Raids: 65 power
Notes:
- This attack can only be learned when Zweilous is evolved into Hydreigon on Saturday, May 16th, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. your local time.
- To evolve Deino into Zweilous, you’ll need 25 Deino Candies.
- To evolve Zweilous into Hydreigon, you’ll need 100 Deino Candies.
- Therefore, you’ll need 125 Deino Candies if evolving Deino to Zweilous to Hydreigon.
Are there any bonuses for May 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
Yes, the bonuses for Community Day Classic are:
- 3× XP for catching Pokémon.
- Incense activated during the event will last for three hours (Daily Adventure Incense excluded).
- Lure Modules activated during the event will last for one hour and may attract the featured Pokémon (from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. your local time).
- Shiny Deino rates and chances for a Special Background will still be available after the event hours via this method.
- Take a few snapshots during Community Day for a surprise! (Deino photobomb spawn. Can be repeated up to 5 times.)
What is the Special Research Story for May 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
The Community Day Special Research Story is called Field Notes: Deino. It’s a paid-for quest that costs $1.99 USD (or the equivalent pricing in your local currency). This Special Research will included encounters with Deino, three of which will have a Special Background. The guide will be updated with the Special Research Story’s steps once the event is live.
Note: Despite only having three steps, the Special Research initially listed a fourth when first rolling out.
Step 1/3
- Task: Catch 3 Pokémon
- Reward: Deino* encounter
- Task: Catch 5 Pokémon
- Reward: Deino* encounter
- Task: Catch 10 Pokémon
- Reward: Deino* encounter
- Task: Make 7 Nice Throws
- Reward: 20 Ultra Balls
- Task: Make 5 Great Throws
- Reward: 1 Lucky Egg
- Task: Make 5 Curveball Throws
- Reward: 1 Incense
- Completion Rewards: Deino* encounter (Special Background), 50 Deino Candies, and 5 Deino Candy XL
Step 2/3
- Task: Catch 3 Pokémon
- Reward: Deino* encounter
- Task: Catch 5 Pokémon
- Reward: Deino* encounter
- Task: Catch 10 Pokémon
- Reward: Zweilous* encounter
- Task: Use 3 Berries to help catch Pokémon
- Reward: 20 Ultra Balls
- Task: Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokémon
- Reward: 1 Charged TM
- Task: Use 7 Berries to help catch Pokémon
- Reward: 3 Silver Pinap Berries
- Completion Rewards: Deino* encounter (Special Background), 7,500 Stardust, and 3 Rare Candies
Step 3/3
- Task: Catch 3 Pokémon
- Reward: Deino* encounter
- Task: Catch 5 Pokémon
- Reward: Deino* encounter
- Task: Catch 10 Pokémon
- Reward: Hydreigon* encounter
- Task: Spin 3 PokéStops or Gyms
- Reward: 20 Ultra Balls
- Task: Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms
- Reward: 1 Rocket Radar
- Task: Explore 1 km
- Reward: 1 Premium Battle Pass
- Completion Rewards: Deino* encounter (Special Background), 10,000 XP, and 1 Candy XL
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Are there any Field Research tasks for May 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
There will be Deino-themed Field Research will be available during the event. A complete list of Field Research task(s) and their reward(s) will be updated once the event is live.
- Task: Catch 3 Deino
- Reward: Deino* encounter OR 5 Great Balls OR 2 Ultra Balls OR 2 Pinap Berries OR 500 Stardust
- Task: Catch 50 Pokémon
- Reward: Deino* encounter (Special Background guaranteed)
- Task: Catch 5 Pokémon while in a Party
- Reward: Deino* encounter (Special Background guaranteed)
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Will there be any active PokéStop Showcases during May 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
During the event, PokéStop Showcases will not be active.
Are there any Event Bundles for May 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
There are two Event Bundles:
- Great Box (480 PokéCoins, purchase limit 1): 30 Ultra Balls, 1 Incense, 3 Super Incubators, and 1 Lure Module.
- Community Day Box (1,350 PokéCoins, purchase limit 1): 50 Ultra Balls, 5 Super Incubators, 1 Elite Charged TM, and 5 Lucky Eggs.
There will also be some boxes available on the Pokémon GO Web Store:
- Deino Community Day Classic Ultra Ticket Box ($1.99 USD, purchase limit 1): 1 Ticket (for Community Day Special Research), 5 Ultra Balls, and 24 Reward Points.
Are there any special event-themed stickers for May 2026 Community Day Classic?
No, there are no special stickers being released for Community Day Classic.
More Pokémon GO Community Day guides
Looking for more help with Pokémon GO’s Community Days? Check out our latest guides!
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Written by Jennifer Burch
Illustrator, designer, writer and big Nintendo geek, you can find Jennifer with an N3DS within reach 24/7. As the oldest of three, she has survived many Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart sessions intact in addition to getting her brothers hooked on some really weird games. (Cubivore anyone?)
