When Is the Geminid Meteor Shower?
Peak night: December 13-14, 202640 days away
Countdown to the best time: 2 AM your time
The Geminids peak on the night of December 13-14, 2026. The best time to watch is around 2 AM local time, when the radiant is highest, though meteors are visible from about 9 PM until dawn. The predicted moment of peak activity is 12:44 AM ET on December 14 (05:44 UTC).
Geminids 2026 at a Glance
| Peak night | December 13-14, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Best time | Around 2 AM local time, when the radiant is highest, though meteors are visible from about 9 PM until dawn |
| Predicted peak | 05:44 UTC, 12:44 AM ET, December 14 |
| Rate | More than 100 meteors an hour under dark skies |
| Moon | A thin waxing crescent (about 21% lit) that sets early in the evening, so the sky stays dark |
| Active | Early December to about December 20 |
| Radiant | Gemini, near the bright star Castor, which rises in the evening and is highest around 2 AM |
| Source | Asteroid 3200 Phaethon |
Predicted Peak Time Around the World
The best viewing is around 2 AM local time, when the radiant is highest, though meteors are visible from about 9 PM until dawn. The table shows when the predicted peak itself happens in each city, which helps if you can only watch for a short time.
| Place | Local time |
|---|---|
| New York (ET) | Mon, Dec 14, 12:44 AM |
| Chicago (CT) | Sun, Dec 13, 11:44 PM |
| Denver (MT) | Sun, Dec 13, 10:44 PM |
| Los Angeles (PT) | Sun, Dec 13, 9:44 PM |
| London | Mon, Dec 14, 5:44 AM |
| Paris and Berlin | Mon, Dec 14, 6:44 AM |
| Dubai | Mon, Dec 14, 9:44 AM |
| New Delhi | Mon, Dec 14, 11:14 AM |
| Dhaka | Mon, Dec 14, 11:44 AM |
| Manila | Mon, Dec 14, 1:44 PM |
| Tokyo | Mon, Dec 14, 2:44 PM |
| Sydney | Mon, Dec 14, 4:44 PM |
| Auckland | Mon, Dec 14, 6:44 PM |
How to Watch the Geminids
- Get away from lights: a dark spot outside town shows far more meteors than a city sky.
- Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust, and avoid looking at your phone.
- Look up, not at one spot: meteors appear all over the sky and trace back to Gemini.
- No telescope needed: your eyes are the best tool. Dress warmly and bring a reclining chair.
About the Geminids
The Geminids are the strongest meteor shower of the year and one of the few that come from an asteroid rather than a comet. The meteors are bright and slow, and many leave colorful streaks.