Nickit Community Day date and time

Nickit Community Day takes place on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. Nickit will appear much more often in the wild, and lucky players may find a Shiny Nickit or one with a Special Background.

The main catching window lasts three hours, but a few bonuses continue until 9:00 p.m. local time. That gives players extra time to trade and use the special Lure Module behavior after the regular spawns end.

See where the event sits in the full month with the Pokemon GO August 2026 events guide.

Can Nickit be Shiny?

Yes. Shiny Nickit is available during Community Day, with an increased chance of appearing. Its evolution, Shiny Thievul, is also available when a Shiny Nickit is evolved with 50 Nickit Candy.

Community Days are usually the easiest time to hunt the featured Pokémon's Shiny form because spawns are everywhere and the Shiny chance is boosted. Check each Nickit before moving on, even if you do not plan to catch every normal one.

The official announcement confirms the increased chance but does not publish an exact Shiny rate. A player can still finish the event without finding one, so start early if the Shiny is your main target.

All Nickit Community Day bonuses

The event includes:

  • Triple Stardust for catching Pokémon
  • Double Candy for catching Pokémon
  • Double chance for Trainers level 31 and above to receive Candy XL from catches
  • Three-hour Incense, excluding Daily Adventure Incense
  • Snapshot surprises
  • One-hour Lure Modules with a special Nickit bonus
  • One additional Special Trade, for a maximum of two that day
  • Trades costing 50 percent less Stardust

The trade bonuses and special Lure Module behavior remain active from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time. Most other bonuses end at 5:00 p.m.

Triple Catch Stardust makes this a useful event even for players who do not care about Thievul. Use a Star Piece during a busy catching session if you want to push the Stardust return higher.

How the special Lure Module bonus works

Regular Lure Modules only last one hour during this Community Day, not the usual three-hour duration many players expect from older Community Days. They receive a different advantage instead.

From 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Nickit has a very high chance of appearing at PokéStops with an active regular Lure Module. Those lured Nickit keep the increased Shiny chance and may have a Special Background, even after the main three-hour event has ended.

Do not activate a Lure too early. Wait until 2:00 p.m. so the special behavior is active, and choose an area with several nearby PokéStops if possible.

How to evolve Nickit and get Icy Wind

Nickit evolves into Thievul with 50 Nickit Candy. Evolve it between 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time on August 16 to receive a Thievul that knows the Ice-type Charged Attack Icy Wind.

Icy Wind has 60 power in Trainer Battles and 65 power in Gyms and raids. Its value is more interesting in PvP, where the move's pressure and utility can give Thievul a different role than it has with its normal move pool.

Do not rush the evolution at 2:05 p.m. Catch for most of the event, compare your strongest and best PvP candidates, then evolve the ones you want before the 9:00 p.m. deadline.

Keep at least one good unevolved Nickit if you prefer to wait for testing from competitive players. An Elite Charged TM may eventually offer another route to the move, but the event evolution window is the free guaranteed option.

Best Mega Evolutions for more Nickit Candy

Nickit is a Dark-type Pokémon. Mega Evolve a Dark type before catching to earn more Candy and improve the chance of receiving Candy XL at higher Mega Levels.

Useful options include:

  • Mega Gyarados
  • Mega Houndoom
  • Mega Tyranitar
  • Mega Sableye
  • Mega Sharpedo
  • Mega Absol
  • Mega Malamar

Use whichever option already has the highest Mega Level. The Candy bonus is more important here than bringing the strongest battler because Community Day is built around catching, not raids.

If this is your first major event, the Pokemon GO beginner guide explains storage, resources, and the basic systems worth preparing.

Is the Nickit Community Day ticket worth it?

The optional Special Research ticket costs US$1.99, or the equivalent local price. Confirmed rewards include:

  • Three encounters with Nickit that have a Special Background
  • Additional Nickit encounters
  • One Premium Battle Pass
  • One Rare Candy XL
  • Other item rewards

The ticket is best for players who want more Special Background chances or already value the included pass and Rare Candy XL. It is not required for boosted wild spawns, Shiny hunting, Icy Wind, or the free event bonuses.

The Special Research does not include a medal or a story. The Web Store Ultra Box costs the same amount and includes the event ticket plus five Ultra Balls, so compare the store options before buying.

Field Research and Special Backgrounds

Event Field Research will ask players to catch Nickit and can reward Stardust, Ultra Balls, extra encounters, and other items. Some encounters may feature Nickit with the yearly Special Background.

Community Ambassador meetups also offer a check-in Timed Research with another Special Background encounter and premium rewards. The official Community Day map and Campfire can help locate participating groups.

Special Backgrounds are cosmetic collectibles. They do not make Nickit stronger, so players focused on battling should still prioritize good IVs, Candy, and the Icy Wind evolution window.

Nickit Community Day preparation checklist

Before the event:

  • Clear Pokémon storage
  • Stock up on Poké Balls and Pinap Berries
  • Choose a Dark-type Mega Evolution
  • Save Incense, Lure Modules, and Star Pieces
  • Charge your phone and pack a portable battery
  • Check the weather and choose a safe walking route
  • Make room for several Nickit before comparing IVs

During the event, keep catching instead of stopping to evaluate every Nickit. Mark promising catches, complete Field Research as you move, and sort everything near the end. Remember to evolve the Nickit you want before 9:00 p.m. local time.

The Pokemon GO raids guide can help you use the Premium Battle Pass if you buy the ticket and are still learning raid preparation.