Get ready for an electrifying week in the world of Pokémon GO! As we dive into the new year and the Season of Precious Paths, there's a whole lot of excitement ahead. From new Pokémon debuts to global challenges and Community Day events, it's time to gear up and explore the latest offerings. But here's where it gets controversial... some players might argue that the real fun lies in the raids and battles, so let's dive into the details and see what this week has in store for us!
Pokémon GO Events: January 12 - January 18, 2026
This week, we're treating you to a mix of old favorites and exciting new additions. Get ready for some high-voltage action with the Wattrel family making their debut, and don't forget to keep an eye out for the shiny Tadbulb release! And if that's not enough, the Galar First Partner Pokémon are finally getting their Community Day events, starting with the adorable Grookey.
But wait, there's more! We've got the weekly rotating Spotlight and Raid Hours, Dynamax Battles, and Mega Raids to keep you on your toes. Let's take a closer look at the highlights:
- Raid Boss Change (January 16): Incarnate Thundurus and Mega Sceptile make their grand return to the raid pool. Get ready to battle and catch these powerful Pokémon!
- Max Monday (January 12): Dynamax Caterpie takes center stage in Max Battles from 6 PM to 7 PM. A perfect opportunity to catch this cute caterpillar in its giant form!
- Spotlight Hour (January 13): Mareep shines bright during Spotlight Hour, offering 2x XP for evolving Pokémon. A great chance to level up and power up your team!
- Raid Hour (January 7): Genesect Burn and Chill Drive take over Five-Star Raids from 6 PM to 7 PM. A challenging battle awaits, but the rewards are worth it!
- High Voltage (January 13-18): The High Zaptitude event is here, bringing the Wattrel family, shiny Tadbulb, and global challenges. An event not to be missed!
- Grookey Community Day (January 18): Grookey takes center stage on Community Day, offering shiny Grookey encounters and an exclusive Charged Attack for Rillaboom. A must-attend event for all Grass-type enthusiasts!
And that's not all! We've got a weekly schedule to keep you organized:
- Max Monday: Dynamax Caterpie - Catch this cute caterpillar in its giant form every Monday from 6 PM to 7 PM.
- Spotlight Hour: Mareep - Level up and evolve your Pokémon with 2x XP every Tuesday from 6 PM to 7 PM.
- Raid Hour: Genesect Burn and Chill Drive - Battle and catch Genesect in its powerful forms every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7 PM.
Now, let's dive into the events happening this week:
- High Voltage: The High Zaptitude event is an electrifying adventure, running from January 13th at 10:00 am to January 18th at 8:00 pm local time. Get ready for the Wattrel family debut, shiny Tadbulb encounters, and global challenges!
- Grookey Community Day: Grookey, the Chimp Pokémon, stars in the first Community Day of 2026. Join the event on Sunday, January 18th, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm local time for increased Grookey spawns, shiny Grookey encounters, and an exclusive Charged Attack for Rillaboom.
But here's the part most people miss... the raids! Raids are a crucial part of the Pokémon GO experience, offering unique challenges and rewards. This week, we've got:
- Five-Star Raids: Genesect Burn and Chill Drive from January 5 to January 16, and Incarnate Forme Thundurus from January 16 to January 25.
- Mega Raids: Mega Blaziken from January 5 to January 16, and Mega Sceptile from January 16 to January 25.
- Shadow Raids: One-star and three-star Shadow Raids daily, with five-star Shadow Raids on Saturdays and Sundays. And don't forget about Shadow Cresselia, which might just make an appearance during Precious Paths!
Now, let's talk about the GO Pass and GO Pass Deluxe. These exclusive passes offer incredible rewards, including an encounter with Dialga, XP and Stardust bonuses, and the return of the Lucky Trinket. Trainers will automatically receive the GO Pass: January on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 10:00 am.
Moving on to the GO Battle League Season 25, the Precious Paths season has begun! Starting on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm PST (GMT -8), this season offers end-of-season rewards, a full GBL rank reset, and unchanged rank-up requirements. This week, we've got the Ultra League and Sunshine Cup: Great League Edition active.
And finally, the Season of Precious Paths! Running from December 2, 2025, to March 3, 2026, this season focuses on the Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos, the return of Master Ball Special Research, new costume Pokémon, and more. Enjoy the season-long bonuses, including an additional Special Trade per day, increased Stardust for the first catch, and increased friendship bonus damage in raids.
So, what do you think? Are you excited for this week's Pokémon GO events? Do you prefer the raids and battles, or are you more interested in the Community Day events? Let us know in the comments! We'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this week's lineup.
