Categories: Lifestyle

Where to catch the ‘strongest meteor shower of the year’ near Vancouver this week

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Active from Dec. 1 to 21, 2025, the Geminid meteor shower is considered one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year, and it reaches its peak this week.

According to NASA, the Geminids originated from an asteroid or potential “rock comet” called 3200 Phaethon.

When will the Geminids reach their peak?

The Geminids will reach their peak on the night of Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. NASA notes that the show may start even earlier, on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.

The American Meteor Society adds that the Geminids are typically the strongest meteor shower of the year, and unlike their summertime counterpart, you don’t have to wait for midnight to roll around to view them.

The best viewing time is considered 9 or 10 p.m. and onwards, when the constellation of Gemini is in its prime position.

The meteor shower’s “maximum” will result in meteors streaking through the sky every minute or two, according to the Almanac.

“Given that the Geminid meteor shower is the most active shower of the year, expect to see an average of 75 meteors per hour during its peak,” they explain. “The show typically starts as early as 9 p.m., peaks around 2 a.m., and lasts into the morning hours of the next day.

That said, you might not be able to see clear meteor “trains” trailing behind them, due to their medium-slow velocity. But the American Meteor Society maintains that the Geminids are often “bright and intensely coloured,” so it’ll be a show in the skies nonetheless!

Where to view the Geminid meteor shower near Vancouver

While you can pick practically any part of the sky to catch the Geminids, it never hurts to head to an area sans light pollution to get the best view.

While B.C. doesn’t have any officially designated dark sky preserves, there’s no shortage of prime stargazing spots that serve the same purpose.

McDonald Park in Abbotsford is considered a Dark Sky Park, with mountains blocking off the city lights from Abbotsford to the west, Chilliwack to the east, and Mission to the north, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of undisturbed skies.

Here are some stargazing options a little closer to the city: