Skywatchers can look forward to the first planet parade of 2026 during the last week of February, featuring Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. This alignment offers a rare chance to observe six planets simultaneously, though a telescope will be essential for most views. The event marks the start of three such parades expected that year.
The upcoming planet parade will unfold in the evening sky, providing a striking celestial display visible across much of the world. Scheduled for February 21 to 28, 2026, it includes six planets: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. This is one short of a complete planetary lineup, which last occurred in February 2025.
Observers in the Northern Hemisphere, including the US, Canada, and Mexico, will have the best opportunity around sunset, specifically at about 6:45 p.m. local time. However, the viewing window is brief—Mercury and Venus will descend below the western horizon 30 to 45 minutes later. The challenge stems from the proximity of four planets to the setting sun, exacerbated by twilight glare.
Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune will cluster near the western horizon, with Venus and Mercury adjacent, and Saturn close to Neptune. This grouping may aid in spotting them. Jupiter and Uranus, meanwhile, will remain visible longer: Uranus traversing the southern sky near the Taurus constellation before setting hours after midnight, and Jupiter positioned with Gemini.
The parade extends beyond the Northern Hemisphere, observable from locations like Tokyo to London and in the Southern Hemisphere as well, though optimal dates may shift slightly by region. After February, a five-planet version persists into early March until Saturn and Neptune set, leaving Venus, Jupiter, and Uranus.
To locate the planets, stargazers should start with the bright Venus, then use tools like Stellarium's sky map on desktop or mobile apps. A telescope is crucial, particularly for faint Uranus and Neptune; experts recommend at least an 8-inch aperture with 50 times magnification to discern Saturn's rings, or 150 times for Neptune's. Venture to dark skies away from urban lights, select clear nights, and avoid directing equipment toward the sun to prevent eye damage.
This February event kicks off a banner year for alignments, with additional parades anticipated in April (five planets) and August (six planets).
