January 2026 Community Day Classic: Piplup

Piplup is back for January's Community Day Classic on Sunday 4 January. If you evolve Prinplup during the event, you get an Empoleon that knows Hydro Cannon. A paid Special Research ticket and Community Ambassador meetups give extra chances at Piplup with a Special Background.

Event bonuses

• Piplup appears more often in the wild and may have a Special Background
• Evolve Prinplup until 21:00 to get an Empoleon that knows the Charged Attack Hydro Cannon (80 power in Trainer Battles, 90 in Gyms and raids)
• ¼ hatch distance for Eggs placed in Incubators during the event
• Incense activated during the event lasts 3 hours (not Daily Adventure Incense)
• Lure Modules last 1 hour
• From 14:00 to 21:00, regular Lure Modules have a very high chance of attracting Piplup, which may be Shiny or have a Special Background. The Incense and Lure Module bonuses also apply until 21:00
• A surprise when you take snapshots
• Field Research for catching Piplup, with rewards that include Stardust, Great Balls and Piplup encounters, some of them with a Special Background
• Checking in at a Community Ambassador event gives Timed Research with encounters with Piplup that have a Special Background, plus premium items