Tonight is the peak. The useful window is after local moonset and before dawn, when Orion is high and the sky is darkest.
Get away from streetlights if you can. The radiant sits near Betelgeuse in Orion, but meteors can cross any part of the sky, so do not stare only at Orion. Lie back and take in as much sky as possible.
Bring a reclining chair and patience. Watch in bursts of about 20 minutes, then rest your neck and look again. Fast meteors reward a wide view more than a narrow one.
For rates, the Moon, and the longer forecast, start with the Orionids 2026 guide. For the simple kit behind that guide, see the Starter Kit.
Sources: NASA's Orionids page and NASA's October 2026 skywatching tips.