Shooting Stars in December 2026: Geminids & More
Nine meteor showers will take place in December, including the prolific Geminid meteor shower. Use the Sky Tonight calendar to see which meteor showers peak each month, find out which of them are visible in your region, and set notifications not to miss the best time for observations. Also, read this guide to learn more about the upcoming meteor showers.
Contents
- Major December Meteor Showers
- Minor December Meteor Showers
- Variable December Meteor Showers
- How to catch the most shooting stars?
- Meteor showers in December 2026: Bottom line
Major December Meteor Showers
December 13-14: Geminids
- Meteors per hour: 150
- Moon illumination: 20%
- Active: December 4-17
- Radiant location: Constellation Gemini
- Visible from: Everywhere
The Geminid meteor shower, associated with the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, is one of the most prolific streams of the year. On a dark night around the peak, you can see 50 meteors in one hour; it’s possible to catch 150 meteors per hour on the peak night. These meteors favor the Northern Hemisphere but are also visible from the southern latitudes.
Visibility forecast
In 2026, the Geminids peak under a waxing crescent Moon, so conditions are favorable. In the Northern Hemisphere, you can start observations in the evening, and in the Southern Hemisphere — at around local midnight. Read our dedicated article to learn more about observing the Geminids in 2026.
December 21-22: Ursids
- Meteors per hour: 10
- Moon illumination: 95%
- Active: December 17-26
- Radiant location: Constellation Ursa Minor
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The Ursids, whose parent body is the comet 8P/Tuttle, always peak around the December solstice. They usually provide about ten meteors per hour at a maximum; however, there were recorded outbursts of activity with 100 meteors per hour. The radiant of the Ursids is circumpolar for most of the Northern Hemisphere, and not visible from most of the Southern Hemisphere.
Visibility forecast
Unfortunately, the 2026 Ursids’ peak comes two days before Full Moon, so bright moonlight will hinder the observations. Forecasts mention a possible Ursids’ enhancement on December 22, around 14:00 GMT, with up to 20 meteors per hour, but the Moon will likely wash out most faint meteors.
Still, the Ursids’ radiant is circumpolar for many northern locations, so you can try all night long, with the best chances around moonrise or moonset, when the lunar disk is behind trees or high buildings.
Make sure you are fully prepared for meteor hunting – test your knowledge about shooting stars with our quiz. It has useful tips and general information about meteor showers.
Minor December Meteor Showers
December 6-7: Puppid-Velid II Complex
- Meteors per hour: 10
- Moon illumination: 7%
- Active: December 1-15
- Radiant location: Constellation Puppis
- Visible from: Southern Hemisphere
The parent body of the Puppid-Velid II Complex is unknown; this meteor shower, in general, is poorly studied. Like the Ursids, it also provides about ten meteors during the peak. However, the Puppid-Velid II Complex is not as reliable as the Ursids and, therefore, is considered a minor stream.
Visibility forecast
In 2026, the peak of the Puppid-Velids arrives just before the New Moon, so the sky will be nice and dark. The stream favors the Southern Hemisphere, where its radiant is on view all night. Stargazers from the southern part of the Northern Hemisphere might also spot some meteors close to the horizon in the early morning.
December 8-9: December Monocerotids
- Meteors per hour: 3
- Moon illumination: 0%
- Active: December 1-19
- Radiant location: Constellation Monoceros
- Visible from: Everywhere
The December Monocerotid meteors originated from the comet C/1917 F1 (Mellish). This stream is the lesser-known of the two showers referred to as the Monocerotids. In most years, the maximum number of produced meteors varies from 2 to 3.
Visibility forecast
In 2026, the Monocerotids peak right at New Moon, so viewing conditions are perfect. Although this modest meteor shower won't produce many shooting stars, it will be the best possible time to observe them.
December 8-9: Sigma Hydrids
- Meteors per hour: 7
- Moon illumination: 0%
- Active: December 3-20
- Radiant location: Constellation Hydra
- Visible from: Everywhere
The Sigma Hydrids (σ-Hydrids), whose parent body is unknown, belong to the biggest constellation Hydra and repeatedly provide bright meteors. However, the stream is considered faint and not spectacular as there are not so many meteors in it.
Visibility forecast
Peaking at New Moon in 2026, the Sigma Hydrids offer excellent viewing conditions. Since the radiant rises later in the evening, plan to watch after local midnight from either hemisphere. The meteor shower’s peak overlaps with the peak of the December Monocerotids, meaning you may see up to 10 meteors per hour from both streams on the night of December 8-9.
December 19-20: December Leonis Minorids
- Meteors per hour: 5
- Moon illumination: 75%
- Active: December 5 – February 4
- Radiant location: Constellation Leo Minor
- Visible from: Everywhere
The December Leonis Minorid meteor shower is a weak stream with an undiscovered parent body.
Visibility forecast
In 2026, the December Leonis Minorids will peak under a bright waxing gibbous Moon, so viewing conditions are poor. If you want to try anyway, aim for the darkest hours before dawn and find a location where the Moon will be hidden behind trees or high buildings.
December 22-23: Comae Berenicids
- Meteors per hour: 3
- Moon illumination: 99%
- Active: December 4 – January 30
- Radiant location: Constellation Coma Berenices
- Visible from: Everywhere
The Comae Berenicids are a weak meteor shower with an undetected parent body. They are sometimes confused with the December Leonis Minorids as they have a similar orbit. The Comae Berenicids are a long-lasting meteor shower that can be traced up to early February.
Visibility forecast
In 2026, the peak of the Comae Berenicids falls near the waxing gibbous Moon, so moonlight will hinder the observations, especially in the evening. For the best shot, watch after midnight when the sky is darker, and the radiant is higher.
Variable December Meteor Showers
Here are two more meteor showers occurring in December. Their number of meteors per hour is variable, which means that they periodically have outbursts of activity, but in general, they’re weak and hard to see. In 2026, there are no forecasts for their high activity.
December 1-2: Phoenicids
- Meteors per hour: Variable
- Moon illumination: 51%
- Active: December 1–5
- Radiant location: Constellation Phoenix
- Visible from: Southern Hemisphere
December 3-4: Phi Cassiopeiids
- Meteors per hour: Variable
- Moon illumination: 30%
- Active: November 28 – December 4
- Radiant location: Constellation Cassiopeia
- Visible from: Everywhere
How to catch the most shooting stars?
You don't need any special equipment to observe meteor showers. Just keep in mind the most important things to enhance your experience:
- Peak date of the meteor shower;
- Phase of the Moon;
- Weather forecast.
All of this information is available in the free Sky Tonight app. Explore the Visible Tonight section (the telescope icon on the main screen) to find the Moon phase, weather forecast, and stargazing index for each day. Learn what meteor showers are visible for your location in the Meteor Showers tab of the app's calendar (the calendar icon on the main screen).
Meteor showers in December 2026: Bottom line
December 2026 looks quite promising for meteor lovers. The top choice this month is the Geminid meteor shower, peaking under a relatively dim Moon on the night of December 13-14. Plus, you’ll have a good chance to catch two lesser-known meteor showers as well – December Monocerotids and Sigma Hydrids peak – under the dark, moonless sky of December 8-9. Use the Sky Tonight app to determine the Moon’s position and any radiant’s location for any date. Also, take a look at our infographic to prepare for a successful meteor hunt. We wish you clear skies and happy observations!
