The 2026 Geminids around the world

The Geminids are an annual meteor shower that is usually active in December. In 2026, the maximum is expected around December 14 at 14:00 UTC. That is 16:00 in Lithuania, while it is still daylight, so the nights of December 13–14 and 14–15 are the practical observing windows. The first night is before the calculated maximum and the second is after it; activity may be visible on both.

The shower can be observed around the world, but its radiant in Gemini climbs higher at northern latitudes. South of the equator it can still be visible, usually lower above the horizon. Meteors do not appear only near the radiant, so watch a broad area of sky. In 2026 the Moon will be a relatively thin crescent, though exact conditions depend on location and time.

Choosing a night

Check hourly cloud cover, moonrise and the availability of a dark horizon for both nights. If the forecast is poor for December 13–14, the following night can be a backup. No telescope is needed: let your eyes adapt to darkness and keep your view wide.

Check clouds for your location on the NightSkyCast map