Shiny Grookey debuts during January 2026 Community Day

The January 2026 Community Day features the debut of Shiny Grookey and its evolutions, Shiny Thwackey and Shiny Rillaboom, in Pokémon GO. You can evolve (Shiny) Grookey into (Shiny) Thwackey by using 25 Grookey Candy. You can evolve (Shiny) Thwackey into (Shiny) Rillaboom by using 100 Grookey Candy.

Shiny Grookey will be available from the start of the January 2026 Community Day. The Community Day is scheduled to start on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. local time. It will continue until 5:00 p.m. local time the same day. However, some event-themed bonuses will end the same day at 9:00 p.m. local time.

Please note that Grookey, the Chimp Pokémon, is the featured Pokémon during January 2026 Community Day. Trainers will, however, have a higher chance of encountering Shiny Grookey. Likewise, lucky Trainers might encounter (Shiny) Grookey in the wild that has a Special Background!

Starting in January 2026, the featured Pokémon for Community Days can have a yearly Special Background.

Grookey Community Day Featured Attack

If you evolve Thwackey (Grookey’s Evolution) between 2:00 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. local time on the day of the Community Day (i.e., January 18, 2026), you will get an Rillaboom that knows the Charged Attack Frenzy Plant.

Frenzy Plant is a Grass-type Charged Attack. It deals 100 damage and costs 45 energy when used in Trainer Battles (i.e., PVP). When used in Gym and Raid battles (i.e., PVE), it deals 100 damage and costs 50 energy.

Community Day Special Research

For US$1.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to access the Grookey Community Day–exclusive Special Research. Complete this research for even more rewards, including the following.

• 3 encounters with Grookey that have a Special Background
• Additional encounters with Grookey
• 1 Premium Battle Pass
• 1 Rare Candy XL

And even more goodies!

Event Bonuses

• 3× Stardust for catching Pokémon.
• 2× Candy for catching Pokémon.
• 2× chance for Trainers level 31 and up to receive Candy XL from catching Pokémon.
• Incense (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) activated during the event will last for three hours.
• You can take five (5) snapshots during Community Day for a surprise!
• Lure Modules will last for one hour and may attract the featured Pokémon.*
• One additional Special Trade can be made for a maximum of three (3).*
• Trades will require 50% less Stardust.*

*These bonuses will be active from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time.

Regular Lure Module Bonus

The Lure Module bonus will be active on January 18, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time. When used, Grookey will have a very high chance of appearing at PokéStops with active regular Lure Modules. Grookey attracted to regular Lure Modules will still have an increased chance to be Shiny and may have a Special Background.

Field Research

January Community Day–themed Field Research will be available! Catch Grookey to earn rewards such as Stardust, Ultra Balls, additional encounters with Grookey, and more! You may even find Field Research that leads to encounters with Grookey that have a Special Background—if you’re lucky!

Looking for other Trainers to play with?

If you’re looking for Trainers in your area to play with on Community Day, check out the Community Ambassador events on the Campfire App to find meetups in your area.

Make sure you check in to a Community Ambassador event to get Timed Research that leads to additional encounters with Grookey with a Special Background, as well as other premium item rewards!

Enjoy!