October 2026 has two meteor showers to watch. NASA lists the Draconids on October 7 and the Orionids on October 21–22. Here is the plan without pretending the sky owes us a show.
The NASA 2026 sky events calendar has the dates. Weather, moonlight, and light pollution decide what you can actually see.
Draconid meteor shower
NASA lists the Draconids on October 7, 2026. Check the local forecast before planning a skywatching night.
The Draconids are easiest to see in the evening, right after nightfall, so you won’t need to stay up all night to see them.
Meteor counts vary. Find a safe dark location and keep expectations realistic.
Orionid meteor shower
Just a few weeks later we will have the opportunity to view the Orionid meteor shower.
NASA lists the Orionids as active October 2–November 7, 2026, with a peak night of October 21–22.
NASA recommends viewing the Orionids after midnight, away from city lights. Bring a chair or blanket and give your eyes time to adjust.
The Orionids come from debris left by Halley’s Comet. NASA says the comet itself will not return to the inner solar system until 2061.
Under dark skies, NASA gives a typical range of about 10 to 20 Orionid meteors per hour. That’s an estimate under good conditions, not a guarantee from your backyard.
For more on that shower alone, see TTB’s Orionids story. This page covers both October showers.
