Pokemon Go Features Surfing Pikachu In Its First Community Day Event

Niantic's kicking off Pokemon Go's new year with a brand-new monthly event called Community Days. Beginning January 20, Niantic invites you to join other Pokemon Go players in your area.

Once a month, Pokemon Go players are encouraged to meet up in local parks. This not only gives everyone a chance to mix and mingle, but also a shot at catching the event's exclusive Pokemon. For just a few hours that day, one Pokemon with an exclusive move will be available to catch. Niantic did not specify if these event Pokemon are exclusive to the host parks, or anywhere around the world.

For January's event, Niantic has already confirmed the special Pokemon will be Surfing Pikachu. This Pikachu first appeared in Pokemon Yellow as part of a minigame call Pikachu's Beach--it remains in the games today as a Pikachu with the move Surf.

Other bonuses such as increased XP, Stardust, and Lure Modules may be available during every Community Days event. Even if you can't get your hands on the special Pokemon, it might be worth it to go out to collect some easy extras.

The January 20 Community Days event times are as follows:

• Asia-Pacific: Noon to 3:00 PM JST
• Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM UTC
• The Americas and Greenland: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM PST

This announcement is one of many Pokemon-related updates revealed recently. Pokemon Go may not be compatible with older iPhones after a new update, Detective Pikachu is headed to the West with a giant Amiibo, and the New Nintendo 2DS XL: Pikachu Edition is set to release this month.