Yes, there is a major meteor shower active tonight: the Geminids, which peak around December 13–14 each year and are considered one of the best annual showers.
What is happening tonight
The Geminid meteor shower is currently at or just past its peak, with forecasts of tens to over 100 meteors per hour under very dark skies. Activity remains strong on the night of December 14, so it is still worth going out to look, especially late at night and before dawn.
Best time to look
The shower is visible all night, but you will see the most meteors after about 10 p.m., with the highest rates typically between midnight and around 3–4 a.m. local time. This is when the constellation Gemini, where the meteors appear to radiate from, is high in the sky and Earth is moving most directly into the stream of debris.
Where to look in the sky
Geminid meteors appear to come from near the bright stars Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini, which is in the eastern sky during the evening and higher toward the south after midnight. You do not need to stare directly at Gemini; look generally overhead and across a wide patch of sky to catch more meteors with longer trails.
How to improve your chances
To see the shower well, go to the darkest place you can find away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark. You do not need a telescope or binoculars; just lie back, dress warmly, and watch the sky for at least an hour to allow for natural lulls and bursts in activity.
What might limit visibility
How many meteors you personally see depends on local cloud cover, light pollution, and the phase and position of the Moon; a brighter or high Moon will wash out many of the fainter meteors. Even under less-than-perfect conditions, some brighter Geminids are usually visible, so if your sky is reasonably clear, it is still worth stepping outside and looking up.
