Of the meteor showers of 2026–2027, the ones worth travelling for are those where a high ZHR coincides with a dark Moon. There are two such peaks, both in winter.
ZHR and the Moon: which peaks to watch
The ZHR (meteors per hour under a perfect sky with the radiant at the zenith) is always higher than what you actually see. The best pair: the Geminids on 14 December 2026 (ZHR 150, Moon lit 25%) and the Quadrantids on 4 January 2027 (ZHR 80, Moon lit 12%). The Eta Aquariids on 6 May 2027 (ZHR 50) have no Moon at all, but the radiant sits low: even in Samaria National Park (Greece, clear-night chance 75% / 65%) it climbs no higher than 28°. The Perseids on 13 August 2027 (ZHR 100) are spoiled by a Moon that is 86% lit, the 2027 Geminids by one 98% lit; the 2027 Lyrids, Orionids and Leonids (ZHR 15–20, Moon lit 58–95%) are ones to catch in passing.
Where the peak night will be clear
The chance of a clear peak night (at least 2 hours with cloud cover of 20% or less while the Sun is below −12°, ERA5 2006–2025) for 465 places across Europe is given on each shower’s pages. It is higher in the south: Garajonay National Park gets 75% on the Quadrantid peak night and 72% on the 2026 Leonid peak night. This is climate, not a forecast (method).