Complete Meteor Shower Calendar 2026

Plan your stargazing year with our comprehensive guide to major meteor showers

Major (ZHR ≥ 10)
Minor (ZHR 5-9)
Variable

What to prioritize next

If you can only plan one session soon, start with the next peak shower below.

Peak date

May 6, 2026

Activity window

04-19 - 05-28

Peak ZHR

50

Best annual showers to watch first

These events usually offer the strongest rates and are the most practical for planning.

Quadrantids

Peak date: January 4

Peak ZHR: 120

Geminids

Peak date: December 14

Peak ZHR: 120

Perseids

Peak date: August 12

Peak ZHR: 100

January

MAJOR

Quadrantids

Peak:January 4
ZHR: 120
12-28 - 01-12
Northern Hemisphere
Velocity: 41 km/s
Parent: 2003 EH1 (asteroid)

March

MINOR

Virginids

Peak:March 25
ZHR: 5
03-01 - 04-15
Both Hemispheres
Velocity: 30 km/s
Parent: Unknown (unknown)

April

MAJOR

Lyrids

Peak:April 22
ZHR: 18
04-14 - 04-30
Northern Hemisphere
Velocity: 49 km/s
Parent: C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) (comet)

May

MAJOR

η水瓶座流星雨

Peak:May 6
ZHR: 50
04-19 - 05-28
Southern Hemisphere
Velocity: 66 km/s
Parent: 1P/Halley (comet)

June

VARIABLE

June Boötids

Peak:June 27
ZHR: 5
06-22 - 07-02
Northern Hemisphere
Velocity: 18 km/s
Parent: 7P/Pons-Winnecke (comet)

July

MINOR

Southern Delta Aquariids

Peak:July 30
ZHR: 16
07-12 - 08-23
Southern Hemisphere
Velocity: 41 km/s
Parent: 96P/Machholz (comet)
MINOR

Alpha Capricornids

Peak:July 30
ZHR: 5
07-03 - 08-15
Both Hemispheres
Velocity: 23 km/s
Parent: 169P/NEAT (comet)

August

MAJOR

Perseids

Peak:August 12
ZHR: 100
07-17 - 08-24
Northern Hemisphere
Velocity: 59 km/s
Parent: 109P/Swift-Tuttle (comet)
MINOR

Kappa Cygnids

Peak:August 17
ZHR: 3
08-03 - 08-25
Northern Hemisphere
Velocity: 25 km/s
Parent: Unknown (unknown)

September

MINOR

Piscids

Peak:September 20
ZHR: 3
09-01 - 09-30
Both Hemispheres
Velocity: 26 km/s
Parent: Unknown (unknown)

October

MAJOR

Orionids

Peak:October 21
ZHR: 18
10-02 - 11-07
Both Hemispheres
Velocity: 66 km/s
Parent: 1P/Halley (comet)
MINOR

Draconids

Peak:October 8
ZHR: 10
10-06 - 10-10
Northern Hemisphere
Velocity: 20 km/s
Parent: 21P/Giacobini-Zinner (comet)

November

MAJOR

Leonids

Peak:November 17
ZHR: 15
11-06 - 11-30
Both Hemispheres
Velocity: 71 km/s
Parent: 55P/Tempel-Tuttle (comet)
MAJOR

金牛座流星雨群

Peak:November 5
ZHR: 5
09-10 - 11-20
Both Hemispheres
Velocity: 27 km/s
Parent: 2P/Encke (comet)
VARIABLE

Monocerotids

Peak:November 21
ZHR: 2
11-27 - 12-17
Both Hemispheres
Velocity: 42 km/s
Parent: Unknown (unknown)

December

MAJOR

Geminids

Peak:December 14
ZHR: 120
12-04 - 12-20
Northern Hemisphere
Velocity: 35 km/s
Parent: 3200 Phaethon (asteroid)
MINOR

Ursids

Peak:December 22
ZHR: 10
12-17 - 12-26
Northern Hemisphere
Velocity: 33 km/s
Parent: 8P/Tuttle (comet)

How to read the monthly blocks

Use this quick guide to decide what matters most in each period before opening local prediction.

January to April

Track short but sharp peaks like Quadrantids and Lyrids. Date precision matters.

May to August

Prioritize broad activity windows. This period is best for repeated sessions.

September to December

Use the calendar to reserve key nights early. Major showers cluster in this period.

Beginner planning checklist

  • Pick one target shower first, then lock your date.
  • Use prediction to validate your location before leaving.
  • Prepare a darker backup location in case local sky quality is poor.
  • Avoid over-planning one night; keep the next target shower ready.

Meteor Shower Calendar - Summary

17
Total Showers
8
Major Showers
3
High Activity (ZHR ≥ 100)

Calendar FAQ

How should I use this calendar with the prediction page?

Use this page to choose target showers and dates, then open prediction to evaluate your local visibility.

Is a higher ZHR always better?

Higher ZHR usually means stronger potential, but moonlight, weather, and local sky darkness still decide real visibility.

What if no major shower is close?

Pick the nearest moderate shower, then optimize location and timing instead of waiting without a plan.