Celestial events around the world to experience in 2025

There’s something magical about looking up at the night sky and seeing the heavens put on a show. While we’re not yet booking trips to the moon, there are incredible stargazing opportunities worth travelling for. 

This year, there’s a lineup of breathtaking celestial events, including solar eclipses, supermoons, red moons, planetary alignments, and the enchanting northern lights. If you’re heading anywhere with clear night skies, consider adding one of these experiences to your itinerary. Here are some celestial events to look forward to in 2025.

Planetary alignment

In January, six planets will appear aligned in the sky.  When you look up at night, you’ll spot Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn lined up in a grand celestial parade. These planets will shine brightly to the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune will need a telescope to catch them. 

While planetary alignments happen every few years, this one’s special because so many planets will be visible in one night.

When to catch it: The parade starts on January 21 and peaks on January 25, 2025.

Best places to see it: Anywhere with a clear night sky, such as deserts and mountains.

The northern lights

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are like a real-life painting in the sky, with colours swirling in greens, purples, and pinks. This event happens when charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth’s atmosphere. But you don’t need to understand the science of it, you’ll definitely be awestruck when you spot it in real life. It’s one for the books. 

When to catch it: Best seen in March and October, when solar activity peaks.

Best places to see it: Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Canada’s Arctic Circle.

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Partial solar eclipse

Parts of the world will experience a dramatic shadow when the moon glides between the Earth and the Sun in March.  For a few moments, the sky will take on an otherworldly eerie glow.

When to catch it: on March 29

Best places to see it: North Africa, parts of Europe, and the eastern United States.

Supermoon

Supermoons happen when the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth, making it look enormous and incredibly bright. 

The moon is 384,400 km from the earth. For context, if you could line up Earth-sized planets in a straight line, you could fit about 30 Earths within this distance. But this year, the moon will appear close enough to touch during the three supermoon sightings expected to occur. 

When to catch it: on October 7, November 5, and December 4, 2025

Best places to see it: Anywhere in the world with a clear sky. For a dramatic effect, watch it rise on the horizon.

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Total lunar eclipses and blood moons

During a total lunar eclipse, the earth moves directly between the sun and the moon, making the moon appear a rusty red. It’s eerie but fascinating. It occurs every 1-2 years so ensure to catch this one. 

When to catch it:

• March 14, 2025: Best views in the Americas.
• September 7, 2025: Visible in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe.

Best places to see it: Locations with dark skies and minimal cloudiness in the regions mentioned.

Geminid meteor showers

The Geminids are one of the most dazzling meteor showers of the year. This happens as Earth passes through the debris trail of an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon. Although they occur annually, this year’s coincides with a moonless night. Under a dark, moonless sky, you could see up to 120 meteors per hour streaking across the heavens.

When to catch it: December 13-14, 2025

Best places to see it: Anywhere with dark skies and no light pollution, such as deserts or mountains.