When Is the Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026? Everything You Need to Know About the April Peak

A 27% moon on peak night means relatively favorable conditions when the Lyrid meteor shower returns this April — and you won’t need a telescope to catch it.

The annual meteor shower peaks on the night of Tuesday, April 21 into early Wednesday, April 22, according to the American Meteor Society. The Lyrids are expected to produce around five to six meteors per hour under dark-sky conditions, offering stargazers a brief spring display of shooting stars.

The shower is caused by debris from Comet Thatcher. According to NASA, the meteors originate from dust and particles left behind by the comet as Earth passes through its orbital trail.

When is the 2026 Lyrid meteor shower peak?

The Lyrids will be active from Tuesday, April 14 through Thursday, April 30, 2026, according to the American Meteor Society. The shower’s activity window runs more than two weeks, but the peak falls on the night of April 21 into the early morning hours of April 22.