How to catch all seven visible planets… without launching into orbit.
A planetary parade is when multiple planets align in the sky from Earth’s point of view. While they’re still millions of kilometers apart in space, they appear grouped along the ecliptic line—like celestial VIPs showing up for a red carpet event.
In 2025, the Solar System’s got a whole lineup of them. Think Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn—even Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune if you're packing binoculars.
This guide gives you:
Want to know the best time to stargaze all year? Check out our Month-by-Month Viewing Tips.
| 🗓️ Date | ✨ What You'll See | ⏰ Where & When | 👁️ Naked-Eye Planets | 🔭 Telescope Targets | 🌙 Moon Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10 | Moon “kisses” Jupiter | SW sky, dusk | Jupiter | — | Waning gibbous |
| Jan 17–18 | Venus & Saturn close pair | W sky, after sunset | Venus, Saturn* | — | First quarter |
| Jan 25 | 4-planet arc: Venus–Saturn–Neptune–Jupiter | Low SW horizon, 45 min post-sunset | Venus, Jupiter | Saturn†, Neptune | Waxing gibbous |
| Jan 29 | 5 planets + Moon in arc | SW sky, early evening | Venus, Jupiter, Mars | Saturn, Neptune | Waning gibbous |
| Feb 24 | Mercury–Saturn conjunction | W horizon, 20 min after sunset | Mercury, Saturn* | — | 🌑 New Moon |
| Feb 28 | 7-planet parade! | W to SW sky, ~30 min after sunset | Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars | Saturn, Uranus, Neptune | Waxing crescent |
| Aug 28 | 4-planet sunrise string | E horizon, ~1 hr before sunrise | Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter | — | Waning crescent |
*Saturn may be faint from cities—look for the “golden star” that doesn’t twinkle.
†Use binoculars or a scope for Saturn’s rings and Neptune’s ghostly blue glow.
Want more celestial events? See our Ultimate Meteor Shower Calendar for 2025’s top showers.
| Planet | Easy ID Tip | Where to Look |
|---|---|---|
| Venus | Brightest object after the Moon | Low in west (sunset) or east (sunrise) |
| Jupiter | Bright “star” that doesn’t twinkle | Near Venus in evening sky |
| Mars | Dim red-orange dot | Slightly higher up than Jupiter |
| Mercury | Tiny, flashes fast near horizon | Just after sunset or before sunrise |
| Saturn | Steady gold point | Above Venus in January evenings |
| Uranus/Neptune | Binocular targets only | Use apps to pinpoint location |
Want to level up your skywatching skills? Try our Beginner’s Aurora Tracker Guide for more tips on reading the night sky.
You don’t need a telescope. You do need a steady hand and a little prep.
Want more night-sky photo hacks? Check out How to Photograph the Northern Lights (Without Pro Gear).
Traveling for the parade? See our Dark‑Sky Road Trips for the best stargazing destinations.
For a complete celestial calendar, see our 2025 Space Calendar.
| App | Use Case | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Stellarium Mobile | Real-time sky map | Great for planet positions & visibility windows |
| Sky Guide / Night Sky (iOS) | Augmented reality labels | Point your phone and watch planets pop up |
| Heavens-Above | Rise/set times & altitudes | Includes fainter planet paths & ISS flyovers (learn more about ISS flyovers) |
| PhotoPills | AR planning for photographers | Ideal for framing planets over landmarks |
Planetary parades remind us that the solar system is in motion—and so are we. No telescope? No problem. Your unaided eyes, a phone, and 15 minutes of peace are enough to witness an astronomical lineup spanning millions of miles.
Seven planets.
One sky.
Zero excuses not to look up.
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