The first month of 2026 is soon coming to an end in the next two days. Since January marks the start of the year, the month itself was already filled with trends that the internet couldn’t get over. The year brought with it new trends, viral songs, and many more things. Some even revisited 2016 in 2026. Can you believe it? But yes, netizens did.So, if you’re curious to know what all was trending in January 2026, check out the list below. Take a break from your hectic schedule and hop on these fun trends, they’re sure to cheer you up. These viral trends were fun, meaningful, and nostalgic.1) 2026 is the new 2016As 2026 kicked off, netizens quickly felt that the year was taking them back to 2016. In such turbulent times, revisiting a familiar
past brings a sense of reassurance and happiness that’s lacking today. The year 2016 represented a period before the pandemic, social unrest, and the challenges brought by social media. It evokes a time when life was simpler and technology was still evolving in fun and exciting ways.To relive the year 2016, netizens began posting their pictures and achievements from that year on Instagram. Many even humorously commented that “they would do anything to go back to 2016.” While that isn’t possible, netizens were simply living the nostalgia by sharing their “weird, awkward, but real” pictures from 2016. It wasn’t just netizens—celebrities couldn’t resist hopping on the trend either.
2) The Orange TrendThe glowing orange trend is somewhat similar to the viral 2025 “glowing turmeric” trend, but the process is different. In this trend, people use a sparkler (phooljhadi) and an orange. They place the sparkler standing upright on the orange, with the burning end inserted into the fruit, and then light it. As the sparkler burns, instead of bursting, the orange surprisingly glows, exuding a neon orange colour. Many netizens are hopping on this fun and experimental trend.
3) “AI Boyfriend–Girlfriend” TrendA new social media craze, the “AI boyfriend–girlfriend” trend, is taking the internet by storm, generating laughter and a mix of reactions.In this trend, people use ChatGPT to create AI-generated boyfriends or girlfriends and prank their parents by presenting these images as real partners, capturing their genuine—and often priceless—reactions on camera.
Many users share these hilarious videos online, leaving viewers thoroughly entertained. The trend has become especially popular with younger audiences who love seeing their parents’ reactions to unexpected surprises. And don’t worry—it’s still going strong, so you can join in and prank your parents too!
4) The “Lonely Penguin”Guess what? A penguin, dubbed the “lonely penguin,” inspired a whole generation online. The penguin shown in the video is from a 2007 documentary by filmmaker Werner Herzog. But in 2026, the bird went viral again.
Social media users affectionately called it the “nihilist penguin” or the “depressed penguin,” as it makes a slow march inland, seemingly detached from the colony. After the penguin became viral, the filmmaker himself spoke out in 2026 and revealed the story behind it, saying, “He was heading towards his death.”
Also Read: Here’s How A Penguin From 2007 Is Inspiring An Entire Generation… | Viral
5) Priyanka Chopra–Bipasha Basu’s “Teri Dulhan Sajaoongi” (2005) Song Became a Massive Hit in January 2026The hit song from the 2005 movie
Barsaat made an unexpected comeback on social media, with reels and dance videos dominating feeds everywhere. Its revival in 2026 was so massive that Priyanka Chopra couldn’t help but respond.
On her Instagram stories, Priyanka shared clips of influencers grooving to the track, which quickly went viral. She also tagged Bipasha Basu, who chimed in with a playful, “Hot Mammas.”January 2026 proved that the internet loves a mix of nostalgia, creativity, and humour, with trends that had everyone laughing, experimenting, and reminiscing. From viral throwbacks to quirky new challenges, the month set a fun and vibrant tone for the year ahead.
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