Pokemon Go Community Day Event (March 2026) Complete Guide

Welcome Trainers! The Pokemon Go November 2026 Community Day is just around the corner, and I’m here to help you make the most of this exciting monthly event. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting your journey, this comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the upcoming Community Day event.
What is Pokemon Go Community Day?
Pokemon Go Community Day is a monthly event that celebrates the Pokemon Go community with special features, bonuses, and a featured Pokemon that appears more frequently in the wild for a limited time. These events offer excellent opportunities to catch rare Pokemon, earn exclusive rewards, and connect with other players in your local community.
November 2026 Community Day Overview
The November 2026 Community Day event will feature the Fire-type starter Pokemon from the Sinnoh region – Chimchar! This playful monkey Pokemon will be appearing more frequently in the wild, offering trainers the perfect opportunity to add this powerful Fire-type to their collection.
Event Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Featured Pokemon | Chimchar |
| Date | Saturday, November 15, 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM local time |
| Exclusive Move | Blast Burn (for Monferno evolved during event) |
| Special Research | “A Chimchar Adventure” ($1.00) |
| Bonus Features | 3x Catch XP, 3x Catch Stardust, 2x Incense duration |
Featured Pokemon: Chimchar
Chimchar, the Chimp Pokemon, is a Fire-type from the Sinnoh region (#490 in the Pokedex). This energetic Pokemon evolves into Monferno at level 14 and then into Infernape at level 36.
Why Chimchar is Worth Your Time
Chimchar and its evolutions are powerful Fire/Fighting-type Pokemon that excel in both raid battles and gym defense. With its high Attack stat and diverse movepool, Infernape can be a valuable addition to your battle roster.
During the November Community Day, any Monferno evolved into Infernape will learn the exclusive Fire-type Charged Attack Blast Burn. This powerful move has 110 power in gym and raid battles and 100 power in trainer battles, making it one of the strongest Fire-type moves available.
Shiny Chimchar
Community Day events offer increased chances of encountering Shiny variants of the featured Pokemon. Shiny Chimchar has a slightly different coloration than its regular form, with a lighter orange fur tone and brighter blue facial markings.
During the event, the chances of finding a Shiny Chimchar are approximately 1 in 25, significantly higher than the standard Shiny encounter rate. I recommend focusing on catching as many Chimchar as possible to maximize your chances of finding this rare variant.
Event Bonuses and Special Features
The November 2026 Community Day comes with several exciting bonuses that will enhance your gameplay experience:
1. Triple Catch Experience (3x Catch XP)
All Pokemon caught during the event hours will grant three times the usual experience points. This is an excellent opportunity to level up quickly, especially if you use Lucky Eggs during the event.
2. Triple Catch Stardust (3x Catch Stardust)
You’ll receive three times the normal amount of Stardust for catching Pokemon during the event. This is perfect for powering up your Pokemon or saving for future Pokemon releases.
3. Double Incense Duration (2x Incense)
Incense activated during the event will last for 60 minutes instead of the usual 30 minutes, giving you more time to attract Pokemon to your location.
4. Special Snapshot Surprises
Take snapshots of Chimchar during the event for unexpected surprises! This could include additional encounters or special photo effects.
5. Additional Special Trades
During the event and for five hours afterward, you can make up to two special trades (increased from the usual one per day). Special trades include Legendary, Shiny, or Pokemon not already in your Pokedex.
Special Research Story: “A Chimchar Adventure”
For $1.00 (or local equivalent), trainers can purchase the exclusive Special Research Story “A Chimchar Adventure.” This research line will guide you through various tasks related to Chimchar and its evolutions, with rewards including:
- Multiple Chimchar encounters
- Premium items like Rare Candies, Golden Razz Berries, and Star Pieces
- An exclusive avatar item (Chimchar-themed hat)
- A guaranteed encounter with a Shiny Chimchar at the end of the research line
The Special Research is completely optional but offers excellent value for dedicated trainers looking to maximize their Community Day experience.
Preparation Guide: Getting Ready for Community Day
To make the most of the November Community Day, I recommend preparing in advance with these essential steps:
1. Clear Your Pokemon Storage
With the increased spawn rate of Chimchar, you’ll want to ensure you have enough space in your Pokemon storage. I suggest transferring any unwanted Pokemon to Professor Willow beforehand.
2. Stock Up on Items
Make sure you have an adequate supply of:
- Poke Balls (Great and Ultra Balls recommended)
- Berries (Razz, Pinap, and Golden Razz)
- Incense (to extend your catching opportunities)
- Lucky Eggs (to maximize the 3x XP bonus)
3. Plan Your Route
Identify areas with high Pokemon spawn density, such as parks, downtown areas, or locations with multiple PokeStops. Planning your route in advance will help you maximize your catching efficiency during the event.
4. Charge Your Devices
Community Day events can be demanding on your phone’s battery. I recommend bringing a portable charger or ensuring your device is fully charged before heading out.
Maximizing Your Community Day Experience
Evolution Strategy
To get Infernape with the exclusive Blast Burn move, you’ll need to evolve a Monferno during the event hours (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM local time). Here’s my recommended strategy:
- Catch as many Chimchar as possible during the event
- Use Pinap Berries to maximize Candy collection
- Evolve your highest IV Chimchar to Monferno
- Evolve Monferno to Infernape during event hours to secure Blast Burn
- Consider evolving multiple high-IV Chimchar to have several Blast Burn Infernape
Shiny Hunting Tips
If you’re specifically hunting for Shiny Chimchar, follow these tips:
- Tap on every Chimchar you encounter to check if it’s Shiny before catching
- Focus on areas with high spawn density
- Use Incense to increase spawn rates at your location
- Consider using a Go Plus or Go Plus+ device to catch more Pokemon while focusing on identifying Shiny variants
XP Maximization
To take full advantage of the 3x Catch XP bonus:
- Activate a Lucky Egg during the event (doubles all XP gains)
- Focus on making Nice, Great, and Excellent throws for additional XP
- Curve your throws for an extra XP bonus
- Target new Pokemon for the first catch bonus
- Use Star Pieces during the event to maximize Stardust gains
Post-Event Bonuses
The Community Day fun doesn’t end at 5:00 PM! For two hours after the event concludes (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM local time), you’ll still be able to evolve Monferno into Infernape that knows Blast Burn. Additionally, Chimchar will continue to spawn more frequently during this extended period, though at a reduced rate compared to the main event hours.
Community Day Etiquette
Remember that Community Day is about celebrating the Pokemon Go community together. Here are some etiquette tips to ensure everyone has a great experience:
- Be respectful of private property and local regulations
- Be mindful of traffic and pedestrian safety
- Share information about rare spawns with fellow trainers
- Help newer players understand the event mechanics
- Dispose of any trash properly and leave locations cleaner than you found them
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do Community Day events occur?
Community Day events happen once a month, typically on a Saturday or Sunday. Niantic usually announces the date and featured Pokemon about a week before the event.
Can I complete the Special Research after the event ends?
Yes, the Special Research story “A Chimchar Adventure” has no time limit. You can complete it at your own pace, though some tasks may be easier to accomplish during the event when Chimchar spawns are increased.
Will I be able to get Blast Burn on my existing Infernape?
No, only Monferno evolved into Infernape during the event hours (or the two-hour extension period) will learn Blast Burn. Existing Infernape cannot learn this exclusive move through regular means.
Do I need to purchase the Special Research to participate in Community Day?
No, the Special Research is entirely optional. All trainers can enjoy the increased Chimchar spawns and event bonuses without purchasing the Special Research.
What happens if I can’t play during the main event hours?
If you miss the main event hours, you can still take advantage of the two-hour extension period from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time to evolve Monferno into Infernape with Blast Burn. However, you’ll miss out on the main event bonuses.
Conclusion
The November 2026 Pokemon Go Community Day featuring Chimchar offers an exciting opportunity to expand your collection, earn valuable rewards, and connect with fellow trainers. With proper preparation and strategy, you can make the most of this limited-time event and add a powerful Blast Burn Infernape to your team.
Remember to mark your calendar for Saturday, November 15, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time. Whether you’re hunting for Shiny Chimchar, powering up your team, or just enjoying the bonuses, this Community Day promises to be a fantastic event for trainers of all levels.
Be sure to bookmark this page and check back for any updates as the event approaches. Happy hunting, trainers!
