Pokémon is hitting thirty years old in 2026, and Pokémon GO is making it easy for everyone to join the celebration. The big push is the #Pokémon30 snapshot feature that lets you photograph nearly any Pokémon in the game and share it online. You don’t even need to own the Pokémon to take the picture, which opens things up for everyone to show off their favorites regardless of what they’ve actually caught.

The whole idea is simple. Pick your favorite Pokémon, use the new snapshot feature in Pokémon GO to pose with it, snap the photo, and share it with the hashtag #Pokémon30. It’s a community-driven campaign that gets people talking about why specific Pokémon matter to them. With over a thousand Pokémon to choose from at this point, everyone’s got different favorites for different reasons.

Beyond the snapshot feature, Pokemon is planning a full year of events and experiences. They’re rolling out Day Out and Night Out experiences globally throughout 2026. Day Out events are designed for all ages and families, while Night Out events are specifically aimed at adult fans who grew up with the franchise. Details on specific dates and locations are still coming, but splitting it into different demographics shows they’re thinking about how diverse the fanbase has become over thirty years.

Pokémon Day falls on February 27th, 2026, which is the actual 30th anniversary of when Pokémon Red and Green launched in Japan back in 1996. That date usually comes with major announcements, and this year expectations are high given the milestone. Pokémon GO will likely run special in-game events around that date with limited-time research tasks, exclusive Pokémon encounters, and anniversary-themed rewards.

The snapshot feature is smart because it’s low-barrier participation. You don’t need to spend money or travel anywhere or catch rare Pokémon. You just open the app, use the feature, take a picture, and post it. If you’re jumping into Pokémon GO specifically for the anniversary, the game is free to download and available on iOS and Android. The #Pokémon30 campaign is about community and shared love for the franchise, which means everyone’s contribution matters regardless of how long they’ve been playing.