Camping Stargazing Calendar for 2026

One of the most awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping memories you can make is gazing up at the stars on a camping trip. So what are you waiting for? Grab your stargazing tent and book that campsite! With this handy 2026 stargazing calendar, we break down all the special constellations, meteor showers and camping stargazing events best seen under the dark skies of a new moon, as well as exact dates when you can enjoy a full moon for camping under the magical moonlight.

Camping Stargazing Events

January

January 3 - 4 | Quadrantids Meteor Shower

Caused by the 2003 EH1 extinct comet, this annual meteor shower will peak, raining down 25-200 shooting star meteors per hour. In 2026, a full moon reduces visibility and might keep you from seeing much, but look to the Boötes constellation for your best chance. 

January 10 | Jupiter at Opposition

On the night of January 10th, look to the constellation Gemini to see Jupiter, its moons, and all its bands at their brightest. Midnight should give the best view as Jupiter reaches its highest point in the sky for this year. 

February

February 2 | Lunar Occultation of Regulus

Look toward the constellation of Leo where the nearby star Regulus ducks behind the moon (a waning gibbous). This "blink out" occultation lasts about an hour, eventually reappearing on the other side. This stargazing event is best visible for folks living or visiting north of Florida in the eastern U.S., but that's a wide swath of country, so check for timing based on your exact location.

February 28 | Planetary Parade

See a six-planetary alignment of Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune as they come close together along the western horizon in the night sky. Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury can even be seen with the naked eye just after sunset. In 2025, the parade was four planets, but this year it's a whopping six-planet parade -- a rare sight that can't be missed!

March

March 3 | Total Lunar Eclipse

This solar lunar eclipse takes place during the Blood Moon, which gives it a deeper orange-reddish hue. Truly a sight to see! But you'll have to set that alarm and rise early, as this eclipse starts around 4:50 am EST, with totality at 6:04 and lasting about an hour. If you're based farther west, however, you have an advantage and can witness the last part of the eclipse.

April

April 19 | Moon, Venus, and Pleiades Conjunction

Not an early riser? Here's an afternoon stargazing event for ya. Look to the Pleiades star cluster just after sunset to witness Venus and the moon come together. You don't even need a telescope for this one; binoculars or even your naked eye will do just fine.

April 13 – 20 | International Dark Sky Week

April is Global Astronomy Month and along with it, International Dark Sky Week. So turn off your lighting, both at home and the campsite, and appreciate the grandeur of the night sky as it was meant to be seen.

April 21 – 22 | Lyrid Meteor Shower

Typically averaging 15-20 meteors per hour, the Lyrid Meteor Shower of 2026 is best viewed after midnight and goes through dawn. Luckily, a waxing crescent moon makes for almost dark skies this year, offering ideal stargazing conditions. 

May

May 5 - 6 | Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower

The Eta Aquarids typically produce anywhere from 45 to 85 meteors per hour, coming down at lightning speed during the pre-dawn hours of May 6th. While the northern hemisphere had optimal viewing in 2025, and the moonlight limits visibility in 2026, if you're in the southern hemisphere, this is your year!

May 18 | Moon Passes Venus

On this day, just after sunset, the moon will pass right next to Venus. With a sliver of a crescent moon on this night, you can see Venus even brighter than usual. Although binoculars are still highly recommended. 

June

June 5 - 9 | Venus and Jupiter Conjunction

On June 5th, Venus reaches its highest point in the western night sky. It's a beautiful time to witness Venus anytime. But then, a few days later, on June 9th, you can spot the planet pair and cozy up with Jupiter, another bright planet, for an even more special view.

June 17 | Lunar Occultation of Venus

Okay, this stargazing event takes place during the day, but since it's rare to see this moon phase and planet occultation, it's worth grabbing binoculars. After sunset, a thin crescent moon will pass in front of Venus, blinking out the planet for only a few moments against a twilight sky. A spectacular stargazing event to witness for the whole family and easy to enjoy without staying up too late.

July

July 30 - 31 | Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower & Alpha Capricornids

Two meteor showers at once? It's a must-see double feature! The Southern Delta Aquariids steadily produce up to 20 meteors per hour at peak, while the Alpha Carpricornids show off bright fireballs. Look to the clear Southern skies just after midnight.

Even with a waning gibbous moon, it's still a particularly special stargazing event for summer evening at the campsite.

August

August 12 | Total Solar Eclipse

Plan your glamping vacation to Portugal, northern Spain, Greenland, or Iceland to witness the first total eclipse Europe has seen in decades. The moon passes between Earth and the Sun, with totality near sunset. Even better, you might even spot a meteor or two from the Perseid Showers.   

August 12 and 13 | Perseid Meteor Shower

The 2026 Perseid Meteor Shower is not to be missed! This always popular shower brings in up to 60-100 meteors per hour at its peak when Earth shifts into the comet Swift-Tuttle, and this year offers a spectacular show, especially if you are lucky enough to catch mainland Europe's total solar eclipse. A new moon means very dark skies for even better stargazing. 

September

September 6 - 14 | Week of the Planets

For a full week, a waning crescent moon meets up with Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus, one by one. Look for Mars before sunrise, ending with Mercury and Venus during twilight. Sept. 11th is the new moon, offering the best stargazing opportunity and dark skies.

October

October 6 | Lunar Occultation of Jupiter

A rare stargazing event, the moon passes in front of Jupiter, offering a unique view of this larger planet -- and its own Galilean moons! -- during the daytime. In 2026, New Englanders will need to rise early to catch it starting around 4:20 EST. 

October 6 - 10 | Draconid Meteor Shower

Last year, a brighter moon phase limited visibility of the Draconid meteors. But not in 2026! This year, the peak time to catch this shower falls on the evening of Oct. 8th through early morning hours of Oct. 9th, when there is a waning crescent that turns into a new moon on Oct. 10th. Throw out a picnic blanket, lie down, and look high up in the sky!

October 21 - 22 | Orionids Meteor Shower

However, if you don't feel like catching the Draconids, the Orionid Meteor Shower will do just fine. To catch the Orionids, falling at a rate of 10 to 20 meteors per hour, head out at their peak just after midnight. Unfortunately, a waxing gibbous moon might make it challenging to see this annual meteor shower in 2026. 

November

November 4 - 5 | Taurids Meteor Shower

Considered a minor shower, the Taurid meteor shower peaks around this time of year. While they peak at only roughly 5-10 per hour, these larger meteors pack a punch with their size and brilliant fireball display. The 2026 new moon makes seeing the Taurids a better viewing year -- if you're patient!

November 14 | Jupiter and Mars Conjunction

This year, Jupiter and Mars will appear to skim each other in the night sky. Called an appulse, a yellow Jupiter will pass roughly 1 degree from orange Mars just before dawn.  Although this is close by planetary standards, it's best viewed with the naked eye or binoculars, as a telescope's field of view is too narrow. 

November 17 - 18 | Leonids Meteor Shower

The Leonids Meteor Shower happens annually, caused by Earth passing through debris from the parent comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, with a meteor storm-like occurrence only every 33 years (the last was 2001).   While the next "meteor storm" isn't expected until 2031, you can still see a good show with the annual showers' 15-20 meteors per hour. In 2026, look to the skies during the late night and early morning hours. The moon will be brighter this year, so seek out the darkest camp spot you can find, away from city lights.  

December

December 13 - 14 | Geminid Meteor Shower

Raining through the skies at a speed 40x faster than a bullet, the Geminids come in at 120 meteors per hour. A waning crescent moon makes for near-ideal viewing conditions, but more importantly, the meteor shower itself is the strongest of all and always a must-see to round out every year.

December 25 - 26 | Planet Parade of Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune

This five-planet alignment occurs later in the evening, forming a diagonal arc. Jupiter and Mars will be brightest and easily visible. However, you'll need a telescope or binoculars to view Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. As a bonus, the moon will also pass nearby the planets later during the week.

Full Moons and Supermoons of 2026

While full moons are not ideal for stargazing, they still offer a wonderful illumination for family camping trips and night adventures like hiking and more. Here is a list of the most beautiful and brightest 2026 full moons and supermoons to align with your camping weekend and calendar.

• January 3rd Wolf Supermoon
• February 1st Snow Moon
• March 3rd Worm Moon
• April 1st Pink Moon
• May 1st Flower Moon
• May 31st Blue Moon (2nd full moon in May)
• June 29th Strawberry Moon
• July 29th Buck Moon
• August 28th Sturgeon Moon
• September 26th Harvest Moon
• October 26th Hunters Moon
• November 24th Beaver Supermoon
  
• December 25 Cold Supermoon 

Stellar Stargazing Campsites

Looking for a campsite with vast open skies to take in the beautiful stars, full moon, and camping stargazing events of 2026?

Head to Utah for the most breathtaking night skies and book a stay at the Off Grid Stargazing Tent to make the most of your glamping experience.

Book a Hawaiian vacation at The Haven at Hawi Nani, located on the beautiful Kohala Coast with white sand beaches.

Sandpoint’s Boho Bell Tent on Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho offers a waterfront campsite perfect for daytime kayaking and nighttime stargazing.

Remember! The best places to go stargazing are ones situated far away from light pollution. Discover more areas to camp using a Dark Sky map.