A Complete Guide to the Best Meteor Showers to Watch in 2026

"Most natural spectacles require packing a bag and logging miles in pursuit, but the meteor showers set to light up the night in 2026 demand little more than patience, an open dark sky, and a comfortable chair. Below are nearly a dozen worth circling on the calendar, with each offering a low-effort, high-reward reason to trade a little sleep for one of nature's most entertaining night sky events."

"April 15-29: The Lyrid Meteor Shower Peak: April 21-22Moon Impact: None Created from debris streams left behind by Comet Thatcher (which last circled the sun in 1861), the Lyrid meteor shower averages between 10 to 20 fireballs per hour. The display is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere, but Southern denizens should still be able to see several under dark skies. Fortunately, a waxing crescent moon will set just after midnight on April 22, making the early morning hours ideal for viewing the Lyrids. For the best viewing, find Vega, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. It lies in the constellation Lyra (the Harp) and marks the radiant of the shower. While a particularly strong display isn't expected until 2042, the Lyrids are known for surprise outbursts (sometimes producing up to 100 meteors per hour), so it's well worth taking time to look up."

"April 15-May 27: The Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower Peak: May 5-6Moon Impact: High Characterized by very fast, streaking fireballs, the eta Aquariids favor Southern Hemisphere viewers (50 meteors per hour), but can also be spotted in the Northern Hemisphere (10 meteors per hour). The celestial debris fields responsible for this nighttime show come courtesy of Halley's Comet, which last came our way in 1986 and will do so again in 2061. The peak of the eta Aquariids on the morning of May 6 will unfortunately coincide only five days after a full moon - creating viewing conditions unfavorable for all but the brightest fireballs. To spot them, look to the radiant in the constellation Aquarius near the star Eta Aquarii."

Several meteor showers in 2026 require only patience, a dark sky, and minimal equipment to observe. The Lyrids (April 15–29, peak April 21–22) originate from Comet Thatcher and typically produce 10–20 meteors per hour, with a favorable waxing crescent moon setting after midnight on April 22; the radiant is near Vega in Lyra and occasional surprise outbursts can dramatically increase rates. The Eta Aquariids (April 15–May 27, peak May 5–6) stem from Halley’s Comet, favor Southern Hemisphere viewers, and will coincide with a bright moon that will hinder viewing except for the brightest fireballs.

Read at Travel + Leisure