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 January 2020’s Community Day.
When will Pokémon GO’s January 2026 Community Day Classic take place?
January 2026’s Community Day Classic will be happening on Sunday, January 4th, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time.
What Pokémon is showcased in January 2026′s Community Day Classic?
The Pokémon featured for this January 2026’s Community Day Classic is Piplup. You’ll find that Piplup 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 January 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
Evolve Piplup into their final evolution (Piplup to Prinplup to Empoleon) and you’ll have a Empoleon that will know Hydro Cannon (Charged Attack).
Hydro Cannon is the Charged Attack that Empoleon could learn during its original Community Day event in January 2020. Its stats are the following:
- Trainer Battles: 80 power
- Gyms and Raids: 90 power
Notes:
- This attack can only be learned when Prinplup is evolved into Empoleon on Sunday, January 4th, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. your local time.
- To evolve Piplup into Prinplup, you’ll need 25 Piplup Candies.
- To evolve Prinplup into Empoleon, you’ll need 100 Piplup Candies.
- Therefore, you’ll need 125 Piplup Candies if evolving Piplup to Prinplup to Empoleon.
Are there any bonuses for January 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
Yes, the bonuses for Community Day Classic are:
- 1/4 Hatch Distance when Eggs are placed into Incubators during the event
- 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 Piplup (from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. your local time)
- Shiny Piplup 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! (Piplup photobomb spawn. Can be repeated up to 5 times.)
What is the Special Research Story for January 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
The Community Day Special Research Story is called Piplup Parade. 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 Piplup, 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.
Step 1/3
- Task: Catch 3 Pokémon
- Reward: Piplup* encounter
- Task: Catch 5 Pokémon
- Reward: Piplup* encounter
- Task: Catch 10 Pokémon
- Reward: Piplup* encounter
- Task: Make 7 Nice Throws
- Reward: 20 Ultra Balls
- Task: Make 5 Great Throws
- Reward: 1 Incubator
- Task: Make 5 Curveball Throws
- Reward: 1 Incense
- Completion Rewards: Piplup* encounter (Special Background), 50 Piplup Candies, and 5 Piplup Candy XL
Step 2/3
- Task: Catch 3 Pokémon
- Reward: Piplup* encounter
- Task: Catch 5 Pokémon
- Reward: Piplup* encounter
- Task: Catch 10 Pokémon
- Reward: Prinplup* 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: Piplup* encounter (Special Background), 7,500 Stardust, and 3 Rare Candies
Step 3/3
- Task: Catch 3 Pokémon
- Reward: Piplup* encounter
- Task: Catch 5 Pokémon
- Reward: Piplup* encounter
- Task: Catch 10 Pokémon
- Reward: Empoleon* 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: Piplup* 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 January 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
There will be Piplup-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 Piplup
- Reward: Piplup* encounter OR 5 Great Balls OR 2 Ultra Balls OR 2 Pinap Berries OR 500 Stardust
- Task: Catch 50 Pokémon
- Reward: Piplup* encounter (Special Background possible)
- Task: Catch 5 Pokémon while in a Party
- Reward: Piplup* encounter (Special Background possible)
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 January 2026‘s Community Day Classic?
Technically, yes. During the event, PokéStop Showcases will be active (from Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 at 10 a.m. to Sunday, January 4th, 2026 at 8 p.m. your local time). The theme of these contests is to submit the biggest Pikachu. Piplup is not featured due to the New Year’s 2026 event taking this PokéStop Showcase.
Are there any Event Bundles for January 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:
- Piplup Community Day 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 January 2026 Community Day Classic?
No, there are no special stickers being released for Community Day Classic.
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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?)
