Horsetail Fall “firefall”
On rare evenings in mid to late February, when the fall is flowing and the sky is clear, sunset lights it orange.
The park sets daily restrictions in mid to late February: check its page for the year’s rules before you go.
What’s in season, month by month
A nature calendar for planning trips: blooms, fall colors, wildlife, the firefall, meteor showers and festivals. Pick a month to see what’s on, with the window each official source gives and its peak where there is one.
19Events so far, each with its source
Jan–MarPeak humpback whale season in Hawaii (NOAA)
Last 3 weeks of OctBest fall colors in the Smokies, the park says
01
What’s in season
This monthWhere
PeakIn season
Humpback whales
In Hawaiian waters from November through April, seen from shore and at sea; peak season is January to March.
Keep at least 100 yards away.
Cherry blossoms, Washington DC
Peak bloom is most likely between the last week of March and the first week of April; it has come as early as March 15 and as late as April 18.
The park can’t forecast the peak more than about 10 days ahead.
Cherry blossoms, Japan
From the second half of March to as late as early May, moving north. In Tokyo the first flowers open around March 24 on average.
Forecasts change with the weather.
Fall colors, Great Smoky Mountains
Above 4,000 ft from early to mid-October; lower down from mid-October to early November. The park calls the last three weeks of October the best time.
Peak dates vary from year to year with the weather.
Fall foliage, Vermont
Colors usually reach their best in the last week of September and the first or second week of October, starting in the north and the hills.
Wind, rain or an earlier drought can shift the timing.
Synchronous fireflies
Two to three weeks between late May and mid-June; since 1993 the peak has fallen between the third week of May and the third week of June.
Viewing at Elkmont is by a Recreation.gov lottery in late April.
Desert wildflowers
Usually in full bloom from late February or early March; how good a year is depends on the winter rain.
The park keeps a wildflower update page in season.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
October 2–10, 2027Nine days in the first week of October: October 2–10 in 2027.
General admission tickets are also sold at the gate.
Keukenhof tulip gardens
March 18 – May 9, 2027Open March 18 to May 9 in 2027. Crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths come first, the larger tulips later.
Tickets are for a time slot; the Flower Parade is on April 17, 2027.
Green turtles nesting
The green turtle nesting season runs from June through November.
Northern lights season
At Fairbanks the sun sinks 12° or more below the horizon every night from mid-August to late April; from late April to mid-August the nights never get properly dark.
How active the aurora is on a given night is a separate forecast: see Sky & Light.
Quadrantid meteors
Peak night January 3–4, 2027Active December 28, 2026 to January 12, 2027; the peak night is January 3–4, and the best of it lasts only about 6 hours.
A thin waning crescent Moon: favorable.
Lyrid meteors
Peak night April 21–22, 2027Active April 14–30, 2027; the peak night is April 21–22.
A full Moon gets in the way in 2027.
Perseid meteors
Peak night August 12–13, 2027Active July 17 to August 24, 2027, with a strong peak on August 12–13.
A bright gibbous Moon gets in the way in 2027.
Orionid meteors
Peak night October 21–22, 2026Active October 2 to November 7, 2026; the peak night is October 21–22.
A bright gibbous Moon gets in the way this year.
Leonid meteors
Peak night November 16–17, 2026Active November 6–30, 2026; the peak night is November 16–17.
A crescent Moon may hide the fainter meteors.
Geminid meteors
Peak night December 13–14, 2026Active December 4–17, 2026; the peak night is December 13–14.
A thin crescent Moon: favorable.
Total solar eclipse
August 2, 2027On August 2, 2027 the Moon covers the Sun along a narrow path; totality lasts up to 6 min 23 s, the longest in Egypt.
Totality is seen only inside the central path: NASA’s map shows where it runs.
Nothing listed for this month and region yet. Try “Everywhere” or another month.
How the nature calendar works
01
Windows, not promises
Nature keeps its own calendar: a warm spring, a dry winter or a storm can move a bloom or a peak by weeks. Each card gives the window its source gives, and says when the source warns that it varies.
02
Peak, where there is one
Gold marks the months a source names as the peak or the best time. Cards without gold have no stated peak.
03
Plan around it
Pair a season with the weather in When to Go, and with the light in Sky & Light. Some events need a booking or a lottery: the card says so.
Guides in this section
Cherry Blossom Season in JapanCherry blossom season in Japan runs from late March in the south to May in Hokkaido: average first-flower and full-bloom dates for 26 cities, and a date check.Maui Whale SeasonMaui whale season runs from November through April, peaking January to March (NOAA). Check your dates, the weather by month and the rules for watching.Yosemite FirefallThe Yosemite firefall glows on clear evenings in mid to late February. Sunset times for every day of 2027, the live forecast, where to watch and the rules.
Follow the numbers
Sources for these dates
Checked Oct 18, 2026National Park ServiceHorsetail FallHorsetail Fall “firefall”NOAA · Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine SanctuaryAbout the sanctuaryHumpback whalesNational Park ServiceBloom WatchCherry blossoms, Washington DCJapan National Tourism OrganizationCherry Blossom ForecastCherry blossoms, JapanNational Park ServiceFall ColorsFall colors, Great Smoky MountainsVermont Department of TourismBest time to see foliage in VermontFall foliage, VermontNational Park ServiceFirefliesSynchronous firefliesCalifornia State ParksAnza-Borrego Desert State ParkDesert wildflowersAlbuquerque International Balloon FiestaFAQsAlbuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: October 2–10, 2027KeukenhofFrequently asked questionsKeukenhof tulip gardens: March 18 – May 9, 2027Sea Turtle ConservancyGreen turtles in TortugueroGreen turtles nestingAmerican Meteor SocietyMeteor Shower CalendarGeminid meteors: Peak night December 13–14, 2026NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterTotal Solar Eclipse of 2027 Aug 02Total solar eclipse: August 2, 2027