prepare for 2.8.6
diff --git a/release-notes/VERSION b/release-notes/VERSION
index b36d662..da5ac5e 100644
--- a/release-notes/VERSION
+++ b/release-notes/VERSION
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 === Releases ===
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-2.8.6 (not yet released)
+2.8.6 (12-Jan-2017)
 
 #349: @JsonAnySetter with @JsonUnwrapped: deserialization fails with arrays
  (reported by hdave@github)