A Family Guide to the Geminid Meteor Shower on the North Shore

Winter Meteor Shower | Createed with Dall-E using prompt: imagine a meteor shower over a winter field with a single tree sihouetted against a starlit sky with no moon visible.

When December's early winter chill settles over the North Shore of Massachusetts, nature offers a spectacular celestial event to warm our spirits - the annual Geminid Meteor Shower. The Geminids, with its vibrant and frequent meteors, provide a mesmerizing show that create memorable experiences with families, neoghbors and friends through the magic of the night sky.

About the Geminids:

  • Duration
    • In 2024, The Geminids start in on December 12 and continue through December 20 as Earth's orbit around the Sun forces our planet to travel through the debris field of Asteroid 3200 Phaethon. 
  • Peak Nights | Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 15, 2023
    • The Geminid Meteor Shower typically reaches its peak around mid-December. Mark your calendars, as this is the best time to witness the highest number of meteors streaking across the sky, producing up to 120 meteors per hour!
  • Uniqueness
    • The Geminids originate from the debris of an asteroid, while most other meteor showers are the result of comet debris.

How to Maximizing Your Viewing:

  • Dark Sky Locations
  • Best Direction to Look
    • The Geminids appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini, located in the northeastern part of the sky after sunset. Looking directly at Gemini will result in seeing meteors with short streaks. Point your feet toward the direction of Gemini and look directly upward to catch more spectacular and longer meteor trails.
  • Comfortable Seating
    • Bring comfortable blankets or camping chairs to relax and enjoy the show. The Geminid Meteor Shower can be an extended event, and being comfortable enhances the experience.
  •     Bundle Up
    • December nights on the North Shore can be chilly. Dress warmly in layers, and don't forget to bring hot beverages and snacks for the family.  This is, without a doubt, a perfect event for a thermos filled with cocoa.
  • Stargazing Apps
    • Consider using stargazing apps like SkyView or Star Walk to identify constellations and track the radiant point (origin) of the Geminids.
    • We are fans of Star Walk - available on Apple and Android
  • Patience
    • Meteor showers are unpredictable, and patience is essential. Plan to spend a couple of hours stargazing to increase your chances of witnessing more meteors. Use the time to tell stories and spend time with your family.
  • Put Away Screens
    • Looking at a screen will affect your night vision, and keep you from looking up. Put the screen away, diconnect with the virtual world and enjoy the real one!

Family-Friendly Viewing Locations:

  • Crane Beach, Ipswich
    • With its expansive shoreline, Crane Beach offers an excellent vantage point for families. Set up near the dunes for an unobstructed view of the night sky.
  • Plum Island:
    • Plum Island Point, where the island narrows before reaching the Parker River Wildlife Refuge, is another fantastic location for stargazing. Positioned along the waterfront, families can settle in on the sandy shores and enjoy a clear view of the northeastern sky, enhancing their chances of spotting meteors
  • Halibut Point State Park, Rockport:
    • Its location at the edge of the Atlantic makes Halibut Point State Park a premium coastal backdrop for your meteor shower experience.

Remember to check local regulations and any restrictions related to stargazing in these areas.

With the right location, a little preparation, and a sense of cosmic wonder, families can create lasting memories while enjoying this winter outdoor show. Bundle up, find a dark sky location, and let the Geminid Meteor Shower illuminate your nights with its breathtaking display.

Appleton Farms offers great farm-based Vacation Week Programs for kids ages 5-11

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Beverly Farmers' Market

Get fresh local produce at the Beverly Farmers Market in downtown Beverly Massac
The Beverly Farmers’ Market supports local agriculture while making healthy food available to all members of the Beverly community at affordable prices; the market promotes sustainable living practices and fosters community connections through our vendors, free activities and events. The market...
Where: Odell Park
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Paddle Around Historic Rockport Harbor

Paddle around Rockport Massachusetts Harbor for FREE as part of Trails and Sails
Come join North Shore Adventures and Outdoor Center for some fun on the water! No experience necessary. Depart from our private beach in one of our safe, stable kayaks or paddle boards and paddle around the historic Rockport Harbor for 30 mins. See lobster boats, Motif #1, the Rockport Break water...
10:30 pm

Trails & Sails

Explore the North Shore with over 150 Free Events in Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails celebration in Massachusetts.
Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 14-29, 2024 for the annual celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Discover special places in your backyard and be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in...
7:00 am to 10:00 pm

Tuesday, September 23

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Paddle Around Historic Rockport Harbor

Paddle around Rockport Massachusetts Harbor for FREE as part of Trails and Sails
Come join North Shore Adventures and Outdoor Center for some fun on the water! No experience necessary. Depart from our private beach in one of our safe, stable kayaks or paddle boards and paddle around the historic Rockport Harbor for 30 mins. See lobster boats, Motif #1, the Rockport Break water...
10:30 pm

Wednesday, September 24

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm