The best time to see Draconid Meteor Shower in 2026 is October 8-9, 2026.
Timing status: Timing verification pending.
October 8-9, 2026
The early-evening shower
The one meteor shower you can catch before bedtime.
The Draconids come from comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. Their radiant in Draco sits highest at nightfall, so unlike most showers the best viewing is early in the evening, not before dawn. Most years are modest, but the Draconids produced storms in 1933 and 1946 and outbursts as recently as 2011 and 2018, so they are worth a look. No outburst is forecast for 2026, and the Moon is nearly new.
Peak rate: ~5 / hour
Where it is visible: Northern Hemisphere, early evening
Northern hemisphere only in practice. The radiant in Draco is far north and stays above the horizon all night from mid-northern latitudes.
Next time: Draconid Meteor Shower, October 8-9, 2027
Draconid Meteor Shower 2026: October 8-9, 2026.
Draconid Meteor Shower 2027: October 8-9, 2027.
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