Geminids 2026: Peak on 13–14 December, When and Where to Watch

The year's best meteor shower, the Geminids, peaks on the night of 13–14 December 2026 (Sunday into Monday). Conditions are excellent this year: new moon falls on 9 December, so on the peak night only a thin crescent is in the sky and it sets early in the evening. In theory the Geminids produce up to 150 meteors an hour; under a genuinely dark sky you can realistically count 60–100. Here is when and where to watch from Prague, and what else is happening in the December sky. Around Prague checked the facts on 29 October 2026.

When to watch

Main night: 13–14 December 2026. The nights before and after (12–13 and 14–15 December) are also worth trying if the peak night is cloudy.
Time: the radiant, the point in Gemini near the stars Castor and Pollux from which the meteors appear to come, is high enough from about 20:00. Unlike most showers, the Geminids are therefore visible almost all night, with the most meteors after midnight when the radiant is high.
Moon: no problem. After the new moon on 9 December, only a thin waxing crescent is up on the peak night, and it sets early.

What makes the Geminids special

Most meteor showers come from comets; the Geminids come from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Their meteors are relatively slow and bright, easy to spot even for beginners. The figure of 150 an hour is a theoretical maximum for a perfectly dark sky with the radiant overhead. In a light-polluted city you will only catch the brightest ones, so it pays to leave town.

Where to watch

Outside the city: any dark spot without street lights and with a wide view of the sky. The best are the official dark-sky parks: Jizera, Manětín and Beskydy. More about them in our guide to the northern lights in Czechia.
In Prague: light pollution means you will see only the brightest meteors. Pick parks and hills away from street lights and face the darkest part of the sky.
Where to look: not necessarily at the radiant, as meteors appear all over the sky. Lie down and take in as much sky as you can.

How to prepare

Weather: December in Czechia is often cloudy. Check the ČHMÚ cloud forecast and be ready to go out on a neighbouring night.
Cold: nights are usually around or below freezing. Bring a mat or sleeping bag, a thermos and warm boots.
Eyes: give them 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark and avoid looking at a bright phone screen.
Photos: phone on a tripod, night mode or a series of long exposures; meteors are random, so shoot lots of frames in a row.

What else is in the December 2026 sky

5 December: the Moon beside Venus.
17 December: the Moon beside Saturn.
21 December, 21:50: the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.
22–23 December: peak of the weak Ursid shower, about 10 meteors an hour; the nearly full Moon will get in the way.
24 December, 2:28: a full moon on Christmas night.
27 and 28 December: the Moon beside Jupiter, then Mars.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

When do the Geminids peak in 2026?

On the night of 13–14 December 2026. You can start watching in the evening; the best time is after midnight.

Will the Moon interfere?

No. New moon is on 9 December, and on the peak night the thin crescent sets early in the evening.

How many meteors will I see?

Up to 150 an hour in theory, realistically 60–100 under a dark sky, and noticeably fewer in town.

Where is the best place to watch in Czechia?

Somewhere dark without light pollution: the dark-sky parks (Jizera Mountains, Manětín, Beskydy) or simply well away from towns.

Sources: Sterngucker: the night sky in December 2026, NASA Night Sky Network, Moon phase calendar 2026. Times are given in Prague time (CET).

Cover photo: Neale LaSalle / Pexels.

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