Pokémon Go starts 2026 with an amazing event. Grookey becomes the star of January Community Day. The Chimp Pokemon shows up for its first Community Day ever on Sunday, January 18, 2026. This brings huge rewards and a brand new Shiny version for players to find.
This event has some really good bonuses you need to check out. You get triple Stardust just from catching Pokemon. You can also evolve Thwackey into Rillaboom with a special move called Frenzy Plant during the event.
If you love hunting for shiny Pokemon or just want to collect more resources, this guide tells you everything about Grookey Community Day.
Event Times You Need to Know
Here are the important times to remember:
| Event Window | Time | What Happens |
| Main Event | Afternoon to early evening | More Grookey appear and bonuses active |
| Extended Lures | Afternoon until night | Grookey shows up at Lure Modules |
| Evolution Window | Event start until night | Get Frenzy Plant on Rillaboom |
The main event lasts three hours in the afternoon. Some bonuses stay active longer though. Lure Modules will bring Grookey with better shiny chances until nighttime. You also have extra time to evolve Thwackey for the special Frenzy Plant move.
Shiny Grookey and Special Backgrounds
Finding a shiny Grookey is way easier during Community Day. Your chances go up a lot compared to normal. Shiny Grookey changes from green to a light blue-green color that looks really cool.
This event also brings something new called Special Backgrounds. These show up on wild Grookey and some research rewards. The Special Background Pokemon look different but work the same way. They just add a nice touch to your collection.
Grookey that appear at Lure Modules have better shiny chances and might have Special Backgrounds. This gives you more time to hunt even after the main event ends.
Amazing Event Bonuses
Community Day brings some of the best bonuses in Pokémon Go. Here is what you get:
- Triple Stardust from catching Pokémon
- Double Candy from catching Pokemon
- Better chance to get extra Candy XL
- Incense lasts three hours instead of one
- Lure Modules last one hour
- Trading costs half the normal Stardust
- You can do one extra Special Trade
The triple Stardust bonus is really big. Catching lots of Grookey will build up your Stardust fast. The double Candy helps you evolve more Rillaboom easily.
Frenzy Plant and Drum Beating Moves
Evolving Thwackey during the event gives Rillaboom a powerful move called Frenzy Plant. This special Grass attack works really well in battles.
| Move | Battle Power | Raid Power | What It Does |
| Frenzy Plant | Strong | Very Strong | Makes enemies weaker |
| Drum Beating | Strong | Very Strong | Makes enemies weaker |
Frenzy Plant hits hard in both player battles and gym raids. It also makes the other Pokémon less powerful. You cannot teach this move later with items, so evolve during the event.
Rillaboom also gets a new move called Drum Beating. This Grass attack works just as well as Frenzy Plant. Drum Beating stays in the game forever even after Community Day ends.
You need Candy to evolve Grookey. First, you evolve it into Thwackey, then into Rillaboom. The double Candy bonus during the event makes this much easier.
Research Tasks and Rewards
Free tasks show up at PokeStops during Community Day. Catch Grookey to get rewards like Stardust, Ultra Balls, and more chances to find Grookey. Some tasks even give you Grookey with Special Backgrounds.
The paid research costs two dollars and has better rewards. Finish the tasks to get three Grookey with Special Backgrounds for sure, a Premium Battle Pass, rare candy, and more Grookey encounters.
You can also buy a bundle from the Pokémon Go website for two dollars. This package includes the paid research plus some Ultra Balls.
How to Get the Most from Community Day
Here are some good tips to make your event better:
Get ready before it starts. Fill your bag with Poke Balls and Pinap Berries. The berries double your Candy. Clear out space by deleting old items.
Use a Mega Pokemon. Mega Venusaur, Mega Sceptile, or Mega Abomasnow gives you bonus Candy and Candy XL when you catch Grookey. Power up your Mega Pokemon first.
Look for strong Grookey. Check the stats on the Grookey you catch. Find the best ones to use in player battles later.
Wait to evolve. You have extra time after the main event to evolve Frenzy Plant. Spend the first three hours catching as many Grookey as you can. Then evolve your favorites later.
Put down Lures before the event ends. Lures last one hour during Community Day. Drop them half an hour before the main event finishes. They will keep bringing Grookey with good shiny chances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Grookey Community Day in Pokémon Go?
Grookey Community Day happens on Sunday, January 18, 2026. The main event runs for three hours in the afternoon. Some bonuses last longer into the night.
What are the shiny odds for Grookey during Community Day?
Your chances of finding a shiny are much better during Community Day. You have about one chance in twenty tries. This is way easier than normal wild shiny hunting.
How do I get Frenzy Plant on Rillaboom?
Evolve Thwackey into Rillaboom during the event to get Frenzy Plant automatically. You have extra time after the main event ends to do this evolution.
Is the Community Day Special Research worth buying?
The two-dollar research gives you three Grookey with Special Backgrounds guaranteed, a Premium Battle Pass, rare candy, and other rewards. It has good value if you want those items.
Can I still catch Grookey after the event ends?
Yes, but Grookey becomes much harder to find. It goes back to normal spawn rates after Community Day. The better shiny chances only last until nighttime at Lure Modules.
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What weather boosts Grookey?
Sunny weather makes Grookey appear more often and at higher levels. This helps you find a stronger Grookey for battles.
