Ready to kick off the new year with a jolt of excitement? Pokémon GO’s January 12 to January 18, 2026, lineup is here, and it’s packed with electrifying events, rare encounters, and game-changing updates! As we dive deeper into the Season of Precious Paths, trainers are in for a treat with the debut of Wattrel, the hunt for shiny Tadbulb, and the highly anticipated start of Galar First Partner Pokémon Community Days, kicking off with Grookey. But here’s where it gets controversial—are these events truly worth the hype, or are trainers being overwhelmed with too much, too soon? Let’s break it all down.
Weekly Pokémon GO Schedule
Max Monday (January 12): From 6 PM to 7 PM local time, Dynamax Caterpie takes center stage in Max Battles. This isn’t just a one-day affair—Dynamax Caterpie will stick around in Max Battles throughout the week. Perfect for trainers looking to power up their teams!
Spotlight Hour (January 13): Mareep shines during this hour, offering 2x XP for evolving Pokémon. A great opportunity to level up your team while catching this fan-favorite electric sheep.
Raid Hour (January 7): Wait, did you catch that date? And this is the part most people miss— the Raid Hour actually falls on January 7, not January 13! Genesect in its Burn and Chill Drive forms will appear in Five-Star Raids from 6 PM to 7 PM. Make sure you mark your calendar correctly!
Events in Pokémon GO This Week
High Voltage Event (January 13-18): This event is a lightning bolt of fun! Wattrel makes its debut, shiny Tadbulb is up for grabs, and global challenges promise to keep trainers on their toes. But here’s the question—will these challenges unite the community or divide it? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Grookey Community Day (January 18): The first Community Day of 2026 stars Grookey, the Grass-type Chimp Pokémon. With boosted shiny odds, 3x Catch Stardust, and the chance to evolve Thwackey into Rillaboom with the exclusive Charged Attack Frenzy Plant, this is one event you won’t want to miss. But is Frenzy Plant really worth the grind? Let’s debate!
Raids
Five-Star Raids: Genesect in Burn and Chill Drive forms will dominate until January 16, followed by Incarnate Forme Thundurus from January 16 to January 25. Mega Raids feature Mega Blaziken until January 16, then switch to Mega Sceptile. Shadow Raids, including the elusive Shadow Cresselia, continue to offer daily challenges—and yes, there’s a chance for a Shiny Shadow Cresselia! But with so many raid options, which one should you prioritize? Tell us your strategy!
GO Pass and GO Pass Deluxe
The January 2026 GO Pass and GO Pass Deluxe are here, offering exclusive rewards like an encounter with Dialga, XP and Stardust bonuses, and the return of the Lucky Trinket. Trainers, this is your chance to level up faster—but is the Deluxe Pass really worth the extra cost? Weigh in below!
GO Battle League Season 25
Season 25 is in full swing, with Ultra League, Sunshine Cup, Master Premier, and Retro Cup rotating throughout the week. Stardust win rewards are quadrupled during certain weeks, but here’s the kicker—does the increased Stardust make up for the grind? Share your battle experiences!
Season of Precious Paths
Running from December 2, 2025, to March 3, 2026, this season is all about exploration and discovery. With bonuses like an extra Special Trade per day, increased Stardust for the first catch, and boosted friendship damage in raids, trainers have plenty to look forward to. But with so many seasons back-to-back, are players feeling burnt out? Let’s discuss!
Research Breakthrough
Complete Field Research to encounter Pokémon like never before. Who will you meet this week? Share your most exciting breakthrough encounters in the comments!
Final Thought: With so much happening in Pokémon GO this week, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Which event are you most excited for, and which one do you think is overhyped? Drop your thoughts below—let’s keep the conversation going!
