when does the meteor shower start

The next major meteor shower most people are asking about right now is the Perseid shower, which in 2026 runs roughly from mid‑July to late August and peaks on the night of August 12–13, with the best viewing after midnight until dawn.

Quick Scoop

• The Perseid meteor shower in 2026 is expected to be active from about July 17 to August 24.

• The peak night is the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13 , when you can see the highest rate of meteors.

• The best time to watch is usually after midnight until around 4–5 a.m. local time , when the radiant is higher and more meteors are visible.

In simple terms: head out after midnight during August 12–13, away from city lights, lie back, and keep your eyes on as much of the sky as possible.

If You Meant “Tonight”

• Meteor showers happen throughout the year (Quadrantids in early January, Lyrids in April, Eta Aquariids in May, Perseids in August, Orionids in October, Leonids in November, Geminids and Ursids in December).

• The exact start time and how good it will look from your spot depends on:
  • Your location (country/city)
  • The date you plan to watch
  • The Moon phase and local weather

If you tell your location and which date you mean by “when does the meteor shower start,” a more precise start window (down to a couple of hours) can be given for your sky.

Viewing Tips

• Go somewhere dark , away from streetlights and buildings.

• Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark.

• You do not need a telescope or binoculars; just your eyes and a wide view of the sky.

TL;DR: For the Perseids, think mid‑July to late August , with the main show starting after midnight on August 12–13 and running until dawn.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.