Pokémon 30th Anniversary Party Ideas for 2026

Short answer: Pokémon turns 30 on February 27, 2026. Celebrate with a watch party, TCG game night, themed bar crawl, or photo scavenger hunt.

• Watch party: Screen the pilot episode and first movie
• Card game night: Beginner-friendly mini decks alongside veteran battles
• Bar crawl: Map bars to Kanto cities with matching drink themes
• Scavenger hunt: Photo challenges with points and leaderboards

What Is Pokémon Day?

Pokémon Day falls on February 27, marking the anniversary of Pokémon Red and Green releasing in Japan in 1996. Since then, Pokémon has become one of the biggest franchises in gaming. The 30th anniversary in 2026 is a milestone worth celebrating.

Watch Party

Build a tight, nostalgic lineup for a 2-3 hour marathon:

• Episode 1: “Pokémon, I Choose You!”
• Episode 5: “Showdown in Pewter City”
• Episode 12: “Here Comes the Squirtle Squad”
• Pokémon: The First Movie

Set up floor cushions. Every time Team Rocket does the motto, everyone takes a sip.

Card Game Night

For beginners: Build 30-card mono-type decks and play to 3 Prize cards. Pair veterans with newcomers.

For veterans: Run a Gym Leader Gauntlet. Experienced players build decks themed around Kanto Gyms. Challengers earn paper badges.

Kanto Bar Crawl

Pick 4-6 bars and assign each a Kanto location:

• Pallet Town: Cozy neighborhood bar with light beers
• Pewter City: Whiskey bar. Order anything on the rocks.
• Cerulean City: Tiki bar with blue drinks
• Lavender Town: Dive bar with dim lighting

Design your route map in Canva using Pokémon game map styling.

Scavenger Hunt

A “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” photo hunt works whether you’re at home or bar hopping. Give guests a list of things to photograph and award points for each capture.

Sample prompts:

• Snap someone wearing yellow (Wild Pikachu)
• Recreate the Team Rocket motto with two friends
• Photo with something that looks like a Poké Ball
• Victory pose after winning darts, pool, or trivia

You can run this with a shared album or group chat. For larger groups, Gather Shot’s scavenger hunt feature handles the logistics: guests see the prompts, check off their progress, and every photo lands in one gallery.

Pokémon-Themed Food and Drinks

Snacks:

• Charmander Buffalo Tails (spicy wings)
• Snorlax Sleepy Sliders (mini burgers)
• Poké Ball Caprese Bites (mozzarella, tomato, olive skewers)

Cocktails:

• Thunderbolt: Vodka, lemonade, blue curaçao
• Charizard Fire Spin: Spicy margarita with jalapeño

Mocktails:

• Pikachu Power Punch: Sparkling lemonade with pineapple
• Bulbasaur Garden Fizz: Cucumber, mint, lime, ginger ale

Dress Code

• Trainer Types: Backpacks, bandanas, hiking boots
• Gym Leader Chic: Color palette outfits (Brock = earth tones, Misty = blue and orange)
• Team Rocket: Black, white, red with a bold “R” accessory

Once everyone is dressed up, take a group photo to capture the crew before the night gets wild.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Pokémon Day 2026? February 27, 2026.

Do I need tournament experience for card game night? No. Simple 30-card decks make the TCG accessible for beginners.

Can I run a scavenger hunt without an app? Yes. Gather Shot runs in the browser. Guests scan a QR code and upload directly.

Next Steps

Pokémon Day 2026 is a milestone. Mix a watch party, card games, bar crawl, and photo scavenger hunt for maximum nostalgia.

Use Gather Shot’s scavenger hunt feature to gamify your party and collect photos from every guest. Create your free event today.