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 in Ipswich Massachusetts offers farm-based Summer Programs for kids ages 5-15

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

Ukrainian Egg Workshop at NTL

Ukrainian Egg Workshop at the Newbury Town Library in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! Kati Bourque will present a brief history on Ukrainian Easter Eggs and teach you how to create your own egg.  All materials will be provided and you will go home with an egg that you made! This program is geared towards teens and adults, as you will be handling a raw egg, a...
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Friday, April 4

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

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Saturday, April 5

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

Yukan Fool's Run | Half Marathon & 5k

Yukan hosts the Fool's Dual Half Marathon and Half Marathon in Gloucester Massahcusetts
Yukan hosts the Fool's Dual Half Marathon and Half Marathon in Gloucester Massahcusetts! Jump into spring with beautiful ocean views as you run along the scenic coastline on Cape Ann. Kids 5K only $10.00! (12 & under, Open to ages 6 and up)
9:00 am

Music Together - Saturday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Vernal Pools | Family Nature Series

Vernal Pools - Family Nature Series with Essex County Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs
Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs team up for this event for all ages! What sound do frogs make? Turns out, they make a lot of different sounds! Come meet the residents of the vernal pools to learn who says ribbit, quack, chirp, peep and more!​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We recommend...
10:00 am to 11:30 am

Girls in STEM Session at Acera School

Acera Schools Girls in STEM Hands-On Science Event for K-8 Kids in grade K-8
Do you know a girl who is curious about science? Join Acera School on Saturday, April 5th from 10AM to 12PM for an exciting – and FREE – morning of interactive STEM! The event will be held at Acera School, located at 5 Lowell Ave in Winchester. Free on site parking is available.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Sunday, April 6

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!
From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families!  Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!
5:00 am to 3:00 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

CoastalExplorer: Sand Dune Safari

Come hike the dunes of Crane Beach at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
The sand dunes at Crane Beach are like a desert. Water is hard to come by; the sand is hot and the dunes are always moving & shifting with the strong ocean winds. Despite these stressors, a variety of life thrives here. Come explore the dunes of Crane Beach, and learn how animals and plants...
10:00 am to 12:00 pm