Grookey community day starts today with 3× stardust bonus and Shiny debut

Grookey Community Day starts today with a massive 3× stardust bonus for catching Pokémon. The adorable Chimp Pokémon debuts its shiny form during the 3-hour event, running from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time on January 18, 2026. This is your chance to catch shiny Grookey and evolve Rillaboom with the exclusive Frenzy Plant move.

Three Hours to Catch Shiny Grookey

Shiny Grookey makes its official debut today during Community Day. The 1 in 20 chance (5% odds) means you should encounter multiple shinies if you grind hard for the entire 3-hour window. Grookey will spawn more frequently in the wild, and this is the perfect opportunity to build a collection. The Chimp Pokémon also appears at PokéStops with active Lure Modules from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM local time, giving you extended hunting time.

The shiny forms of Grookey, Thwackey, and Rillaboom have a noticeably different color scheme compared to their regular versions. This is your only chance to get shiny versions of the entire evolution line, so catch as many as possible before the 5:00 PM deadline.

Maximize Your Stardust Farming Strategy

The 3× catch stardust bonus is the star of today’s event. Combined with 2× catch candy, this is perfect for players looking to power up their Pokémon quickly. Catch Grookey continuously throughout the 3-hour period to accumulate massive amounts of stardust. Activate an Incense before the event starts (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) to attract even more Pokémon during the 3-hour window. The bonus stacks, meaning regular catches will reward 3× the normal stardust. Players report that consistent grinding during Community Day can yield hundreds of thousands of stardust.

Additional bonuses include 2× chance for Candy XL (for trainers level 31+), 1-hour Lure Modules, and 50% less stardust cost for trades from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM local time. Use these extended hours to trade with other trainers and stock up on valuable resources before the event ends.

Evolve Before 9:00 PM for Exclusive Frenzy Plant

Move Details	Information
Exclusive Move	Frenzy Plant (Grass-type)
Evolution Window	Evolve Thwackey by 9:00 PM local time
New Move Available	Drum Beating (60 power, lowers opponent attack)
Max CP for Grookey	1,227 CP (Level 50)

If you want Rillaboom with the exclusive Frenzy Plant move, evolve your Thwackey before 9:00 PM local time today. This move is only available during the event and extends 4 hours past the official event end. The Charged Attack Frenzy Plant is a powerful Grass-type move that makes Rillaboom much more competitive in raids and trainer battles. Additionally, Rillaboom will now be able to learn Drum Beating starting today, a new charged attack that reduces opponent attack in battles.

“Grookey will have a very high chance of appearing at PokéStops with active Lure Modules, and these Grookey will have an increased chance of being Shiny and having a Special Background.”

— Pokémon GO Official Announcement, January 14, 2026

Complete Your Field Research and Special Research Tasks

Field Research tasks are live today across all PokéStops in your area. Catch 3 Grookey to earn rewards including stardust, Great Balls, and additional Grookey encounters. Some field research leads to Grookey with Special Background, a rare visual variant. Community Day Special Research is available for $1.99 and includes three guaranteed Grookey encounters with Special Background, one Premium Battle Pass, one Rare Candy XL, and 10,000 XP. This is an excellent value if you want to maximize your rewards today.

The special research story unfolds across 3 tasks, each offering valuable rewards including stardust, Ultra Balls, Star Pieces, and more. Complete all 3 sections to claim bonuses including 50 Grookey Candy, 7,500 stardust, and 10,000 XP. Community Day Showcases are also live from Saturday 10:00 AM to Sunday 8:00 PM, featuring Grookey and Rillaboom battles in local competitions.

Will You Catch 100 Shiny Grookey Today

With 3 hours of increased spawns and 1 in 20 shiny odds, dedicated players can realistically catch dozens of shiny Grookey. Use Incense and Lure Modules strategically to keep Pokémon spawning at maximum rates. Spin multiple PokéStops to grab field research tasks that reward even more Grookey encounters. Pro players suggest staying in areas with high PokéStop density and keeping your phone charged all day. The community aspect of Community Day makes it fun to compete with friends for the highest shiny count.

Don’t ignore the extended hours from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM local time when Grookey still appear at Lure Modules. Use your 50% stardust discount trades to swap Pokémon with friends who caught different shinies or perfect IV versions. The one additional Special Trade (maximum three for the day) gives you flexibility to trade rare shinies without spending excessive stardust. Stock up on 2× Candy XL bonuses for endgame content like raids and GO Battle League battles with your new Frenzy Plant Rillaboom.

Sources

• Pokémon.com Official News – Official announcement of January 2026 Community Day featuring Grookey with 3× stardust bonus
• Pokémon GO Hub – Comprehensive guide with shiny odds, move details, and 1 in 20 shiny encounter rates
• Leek Duck – Event details and bonus tracking for January 18, 2026 Community Day