The next limited-time event for Pokémon Pokopia has been revealed, and this one plays a little differently from what you might be used to. Rather than chasing down a newly arrived Pokémon or grinding for exclusive decorations, the 
Zorua Hide & Seek event puts the focus squarely on competitive play with friends on Cloud Islands.
When does the Hide & Seek event start?
The Zorua Hide & Seek event begins on Sunday, July 19 at 5 AM local time. That start time applies regardless of your region, so there's no need to convert across time zones.
One thing to flag before you start planning: time-skipping no longer works for Pokopia events. The ability to adjust your Nintendo Switch 2 console clock to jump ahead was removed starting with last month's Jirachi event, and that restriction carries over here. You'll need to wait for the real-world date to tick over to July 19.
When does the Hide & Seek event end?
The event runs for eight days, closing on July 27 at 4:59 AM local time. That's a solid window, and given the nature of the event, you won't feel any pressure to rush through it in the first couple of days.
For more on Pokopia's previous limited-time events, including the Jirachi arrival and its exact reward schedule, check out our guide on the Pokémon Pokopia Wish Upon a Jirachi event.
What is the Hide & Seek event?
Unlike most Pokopia events, this one does not introduce a brand-new Pokémon. Zorua is already available in the base game, so there's no new arrival to unlock or habitat to set up. The event is purely about the Hide & Seek format itself.
The core activity involves competing with friends on Cloud Islands, trying to set records for how long you can stay hidden. It's a lighter, more social event compared to the item-hunting and habitat-building events that have come before it.
Cloud Islands Hide & Seek modeIs there anything new to unlock?
Based on what's been revealed, there are no new decorations or items tied to this event. That makes it a lighter commitment than events like the 
Sableye Gem Hunt, which required tracking down Red Crystals across the island. If you want a refresher on how those item-collection events work, the Sableye Gem Hunt event items guide covers the full breakdown.
What's coming after this event?
The relatively low-key nature of the Zorua Hide & Seek event makes sense when you consider what's on the horizon. The first wave of the Pokopia Expansion Pass arrives in August, bringing underwater exploration and a brand-new region to rebuild. Slowing the event cadence slightly ahead of that launch gives players time to breathe before what looks like a significant content drop.
The Expansion Pass was announced alongside a free underwater update, so even players who skip the paid content will have something to look forward to.
For a full picture of everything available in the game right now, the Pokémon Pokopia strategy guides collection has you covered on habitats, hidden furniture, Pokémon locations, and every event that's run so far.