Talk about starting 2026 the right way. Months after it was first announced, a Pokémon pop-up is finally coming to the Natural History Museum.
Now, the theme for the event – and a low-down of the products on sale – have been announced too. The theme in question is ‘Pokécology’, and the pop-up will explore Pokémon’s fascination for the natural world, which was in turn inspired by the Japanese book ‘Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology’.
That explored how Pokémon live, their natural habitats, and how they evolve to fit their environment. There’ll be some exclusive items available for purchase, which were created for the pop-up, reimagining Grass-type Pokémon like Ivysaur and Victreebel with design elements taken from the Natural History Museum building.
There’s also artwork inspired by the classic Victorian-era books and scientific illustrations within the museum – but this time featuring Water-type and Bug-type Pokémon instead. There’ll be stationery, clothing, pins, and a special Pikachu plush to buy.
For visitors, each purchase (and there are purchase limits, of one per person at the store, and five per person online) will come with a commemorative oversize Pokémon TCG Promo Card featuring Pikachu at the Museum.
The pop-up will be appearing at the museum’s Cranbourne Boutique between January 26 and April 19, and marks the first time a UK museum of this kind has hosted a Pokémon pop-up. If you can’t make it, then good news, some products will also be available online at the Pokémon Center and the Natural History Museum online shop.
The downside? Tickets for the pop-up have already sold out, but cancelled tickets will be made available to buy again on SeeTickets, so keep checking back in.
Even better news: all the profits from purchases made at the Museum’s shop, and online store, will go towards funding the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission and fighting climate change.
In addition to the partnership with the Natural History Museum, there’ll also be a four-day London pop-up to celebrate the 2026 Pokémon Europe International Championships. The store will be open from Thursday Feb 12 to Sunday Feb 15, and will also require a reservation. But plus side: there’ll be a unique selection of Mega Evolution merch to buy.
