Christmas 2025 Skywatching Guide: What You Can See in the Night Sky on Dec. 25 As the holiday season approaches, stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the celestial events that will grace the night sky on Christmas Day 2025. This year, the heavens have a special treat in store, offering sky-watchers a dazzling display of celestial wonders to complement the festive cheer on the ground. The night sky is the Christmas gift that just keeps giving. On December 25, 2025, a confluence of astronomical phenomena will come together to create a truly memorable experience for anyone who steps outside and gazes upwards. From the enchanting dance of the planets to the appearance of a rare celestial visitor, the skies above promise to captivate and delight. One of the main highlights of the Christmas 2025 skywatching event will be the close proximity of several of the solar system's brightest planets. As darkness falls on the 25th, skywatchers will be able to witness a stunning planetary alignment, with Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars all visible in the southwestern sky. These gas giants will appear remarkably close to one another, offering a stunning visual spectacle that harks back to the historic "Great Conjunction" of 2020. "The planetary alignment on Christmas 2025 will be a truly remarkable sight," says Dr. Emily Levesque, an astronomer at the University of Washington. "To have three of the solar system's largest planets clustered so closely together is a rare occurrence, and it's sure to capture the imagination of everyone who sees it." Adding to the festive feel of the evening will be the prominent appearance of the crescent Moon, which will be positioned just to the right of the planetary trio. This celestial arrangement will create the appearance of a celestial "Christmas tree," with the planets serving as the "ornaments" and the Moon providing the "topper." Astrophotographers will undoubtedly be out in force, capturing the scene in all its glory. But the planetary display won't be the only celestial highlight on Christmas night. Keen-eyed observers will also have the chance to spot a stunning meteor shower gracing the skies – the Ursids, a relatively minor meteor shower that peaks around the winter solstice. "The Ursids are not as well-known as some of the other meteor showers, but they can still put on a pretty impressive show," explains Bill Cooke, head of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office. "With the Moon being just past new, the skies will be nice and dark, allowing stargazers to potentially see up to 20-30 meteors per hour if conditions are favorable." The Ursids originate from the debris trail of the periodic Comet Tuttle, and they radiate from the vicinity of the famous constellation Ursa Minor, or the Little Bear. As the Earth plows through this stream of comet dust, the particles burn up in the atmosphere, creating the fleeting streaks of light that we know as shooting stars. While the Ursids may not be the most prolific meteor shower, their Christmas-adjacent timing and location in the northern celestial hemisphere make them a delightful addition to the holiday skywatching experience. Bundling up, stepping outside, and witnessing these celestial "Christmas lights" will undoubtedly create lasting memories for those fortunate enough to catch the show. But the real crown jewel of the Christmas 2025 skywatching events could be the appearance of a rare celestial visitor – a comet. Astronomers have been tracking the approach of Comet Borisov, a long-period comet that is expected to reach its perihelion, or closest approach to the Sun, just a few days before Christmas. "Comet Borisov is a particularly exciting target because it's only the second interstellar object ever detected passing through our solar system," says Dr. Levesque. "If predictions hold true, it should be a relatively bright and active comet that will be visible to the naked eye in the pre-dawn sky on Christmas morning." Comet Borisov was first discovered in 2019 by amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov, and it has since captivated the astronomical community with its unusual origin and trajectory. Unlike most comets, which originate from the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud at the outer edges of our solar system, Comet Borisov comes from interstellar space, having been gravitationally captured by the Sun's gravity. As the comet approaches its perihelion, it is expected to develop a long, striking tail as the Sun's heat causes the icy nucleus to vaporize and release dust and gas. Skywatchers lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Comet Borisov on Christmas morning will witness a truly rare and awe-inspiring celestial event. "Comets are always special, but Comet Borisov is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," says Cooke. "To have an interstellar object like this pass through our solar system during the holiday season is just the icing on the Christmas cake for stargazers." With so many celestial treats in store, the Christmas 2025 skywatching event is sure to captivate and delight skywatchers of all ages. Whether you're drawn to the stunning planetary alignment, the festive meteor shower, or the rare appearance of an interstellar comet, the night sky promises to be a true holiday spectacle. So bundle up, step outside, and let the wonders of the universe fill you with wonder and holiday cheer.