Full Moon December 2025: How to See the Rare Cold Supermoon and What It Means

Updated December 2, 2025

Key facts about the December 2025 full moon

Exact full moon time: Thursday, December 4, 2025 at about 23:14 UTC (6:14 p.m. EST / 3:14 p.m. PST / 11:14 p.m. GMT). ^[1]
Traditional name: Cold Moon, also known as the Long Night Moon, Moon Before Yule, and in Pagan tradition, the Mourning Moon when it falls before the winter solstice. ^[2]
Type: A supermoon – the third and final supermoon of 2025 and the last one until January 2026. ^[3]
Why it’s special: Astronomers say it’s the last “extreme” full moon until 2042, thanks to a major lunar standstill cycle that puts this moon unusually high in the northern sky and unusually low in the southern sky. ^[4]
Visibility: Appears full from December 3–5, rising around sunset and setting around sunrise. ^[5]

As of today (December 2, 2025), newsrooms, astronomy outlets and astrology sites around the world are all homing in on this moon as one of the headline sky events of the month, highlighting both its scientific rarity and its symbolic weight at the end of the year. ^[6]

When is the full moon in December 2025?

Astronomically, the moon reaches its exact full phase on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 23:14 UTC. That moment marks the point when the Sun, Earth and Moon form a straight line, with the Moon opposite the Sun in our sky. ^[7]

Here’s what that means in a few major time zones:

Eastern Standard Time (North America): Thursday, December 4 at 6:14 p.m. EST
Pacific Standard Time: Thursday, December 4 at 3:14 p.m. PST
UK & Ireland: Thursday, December 4 at 11:14 p.m. GMT
Central Europe: Friday, December 5 at 00:14 CET
India: Friday, December 5 at 4:44 a.m. IST
Sydney: Friday, December 5 at 10:14 a.m. AEDT

Different outlets round the timing slightly – some give 6:14 p.m. or 6:16 p.m. EST, but they’re all referring to the same instant within a couple of minutes. ^[8]

Even though this moment is precise to the minute, the moon will look “full” for several nights, especially from December 3–5, so you’ll have some flexibility if clouds interfere. ^[9]

Why this Cold Moon is a rare, “extreme” supermoon

Closer, brighter – and scientifically a big deal

This full moon is classified as a supermoon because it occurs near perigee, the point in the Moon’s orbit when it’s closest to Earth. According to skywatching guides, the December 2025 supermoon will be roughly 221,800 miles (about 357,000 km) from Earth – noticeably closer than average. ^[10]

That makes it:

Around 7–8% larger in apparent size than a typical full moon
Around 15–30% brighter than the faintest full moons, depending on the comparison you use ^[11]

Astronomers and news outlets are quick to add that to the naked eye, this difference is subtle. It becomes more obvious if you compare photos of this full moon with pictures of a “normal” full moon taken with the same camera setup. ^[12]

The last “extreme” full moon until 2042

Where this moon really stands out is in its height in the sky. Because we’re currently near the peak of an 18.6‑year cyclecalled a major lunar standstill, the Moon is reaching unusually extreme positions north and south of the celestial equator. ^[13]

Star Walk’s detailed analysis notes that: ^[14]

The December 2025 full moon is the closest full moon to the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
It will be the highest full moon in the northern sky until 2042, staying up longer and following a steep arc that resembles the summer Sun’s path.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite happens: this full moon will hug the horizon, appearing low, golden or orange, enhanced by the moon illusion (our brain’s tendency to see low moons as larger).

This geometry is why some outlets are calling it the last “extreme” full moon of the current standstill season – after this, full moons won’t reach such extreme heights again for nearly two decades. ^[15]

How and where to watch the December 2025 full moon

Best nights to look up

December 3: A nearly full moon passes through the Pleiades star cluster (the “Seven Sisters”), causing a lunar occultation for much of North America and Europe – the Moon actually covers some of the cluster’s stars. ^[16]
December 4: The official full Cold Supermoon – the night most news outlets are highlighting. ^[17]
December 5: Still looks essentially full to the casual eye; a good backup night if you miss the main event. ^[18]

In most locations, the moon will:

Rise roughly around sunset in the east
Climb highest around local midnight
Set around sunrise the following morning

Exact moonrise and moonset times will vary with your latitude and longitude, so outlets and astronomy apps such as timeanddate.com and Star Walk are urging viewers to check local moonrise times for December 4. ^[19]

Viewing tips shared in current coverage

Astronomy columns, NASA’s skywatching guide and local news outlets are making similar recommendations: ^[20]

Look near moonrise or moonset for the most dramatic views. The Moon appears larger near the horizon thanks to the moon illusion, even though its physical size doesn’t change.
Pick an unobstructed eastern or western horizon – beaches, hilltops, rooftops and open fields work well.
Use binoculars if you want to catch the Pleiades near the Moon on December 3, or to sharpen lunar detail once the Moon is higher.
Photographers:
- Use a tripod and a short exposure (the Moon is bright).
- Frame the Moon with buildings, trees or mountains to emphasise scale.
- Try shooting both on December 4 (supermoon) and at a “normal” full moon in 2026 for a before/after comparison.
No special eye protection needed – unlike solar eclipses, the full moon is completely safe to look at directly.

Because this full moon rides so high in the Northern Hemisphere, it will be visible for longer and less likely to be blocked by buildings or trees, a point emphasised in several explainer pieces. ^[21]

Other December 2025 sky shows to pair with the full moon

Current skywatching guides are framing the Cold Supermoon as part of a stacked December night-sky calendar: ^[22]

December 3–4:
- Lunar occultation of the Pleiades for much of North America and Europe – the Moon passes in front of the star cluster.
December 7:
- A conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter, with the pair lined up alongside the bright star Pollux and near the Beehive Cluster – a photogenic grouping in the evening sky.
December 13–14:
- The Geminid meteor shower peaks, often producing up to 100+ meteors per hour under dark skies. This year’s conditions are favourable, with the Moon out of the way for much of the night.
December 19–20:
- New moon in Sagittarius followed closely by the Ursid meteor shower, a modest but charming northern‑sky shower.
December 21:
- The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and summer solstice in the Southern, marking the official change of seasons.

NASA, Fox Weather, Space Coast Daily and regional outlets are all highlighting this sequence as a reason to plan multiple observing sessions throughout the month, not just on the full moon night. ^[23]

Cold Moon: names and cultural traditions

The December full moon carries a cluster of traditional names rooted in different cultures and climates. Recent explainers have been revisiting these stories as the 2025 Cold Moon approaches: ^[24]

Cold Moon – widely used today; traced to Mohawk traditions, where it marks the “time of the cold” as winter tightens its grip in the Northern Hemisphere. ^[25]
Long Night Moon – reflects the fact that December’s full moon appears around the year’s longest nights, near the winter solstice.
Moon Before Yule – used in Old English and Anglo‑Saxon sources, linking the full moon to pre‑Christian Yule celebrations.
Oak Moon, Bitter Moon, Snow Moon, Christmas Moon, and others – alternative names from European, colonial American and East Asian traditions. ^[26]
Mourning Moon – in Pagan and Wiccan traditions, some modern writers use this name when the last full moon before the solstice falls in November or very early December. For 2025, Star Walk and timeanddate note that December’s full moon qualifies as a Mourning Moon because it precedes the December 21 solstice and symbolically invites release and letting go before the new season. ^[27]

Astronomy sites stress that these names are cultural and symbolic rather than scientific, but they give people a way to connect the sky to seasonal cycles and community traditions. ^[28]

December 2025 full moon in astrology and pop culture

While astronomers focus on orbital mechanics, astrology and lifestyle media are treating the December 4 full moon as a major emotional and symbolic turning point to close out 2025.

Here’s how current coverage is framing it, especially as of today (December 2):

A Gemini full moon (in the astrological sense)

Astronomy sites point out that the Moon will physically sit in the constellation Taurus at full phase, but most Western astrologers treat it as a full moon in Gemini based on the zodiac system they use. ^[29]

Astrology columns from outlets like Bustle, People, the Economic Times, PureWow, Michele Knight and others are echoing a few common themes: ^[30]

Communication & clarity:
- Gemini is associated with words, ideas and information.
- With Mercury having just ended a retrograde, many writers describe this supermoon as a moment to integrate lessons, clear up confusion and “say the thing you’ve been holding in.”
Relationships & conversations:
- People‑focused columns talk about candid talks, “what are we?” relationship moments, and important truths surfacing in friendships and partnerships.
Closure & completion:
- As the last full moon of the year and the last in a trio of supermoons, it’s framed as a time to wrap up 2025 storylines, make decisions, and consciously release old patterns.
Gemini spotlight:
- For Gemini placements, horoscopes tend to emphasise identity shifts, reintroducing yourself, or launching something new under the full moon.

Sites like Forever Conscious layer a more spiritual lens onto this, talking about the “twins” of Gemini representing the mortal body and the immortal soul, and encouraging people to balance practical life with inner spiritual needs, as well as to practice forgiveness and relationship healing under this moon. ^[31]

A quick reality check

Scientific outlets and timeanddate are careful to note that, despite popular belief, there is little hard evidence that lunar phases directly affect human behavior or moods in a measurable way. ^[32]

So if you choose to engage with the astrological meaning of the moon, it’s best seen as a symbolic framework or reflective tool, not as a cause‑and‑effect physical influence.

Does a supermoon change tides, weather or earthquakes?

Short answer: not in any dramatic way.

Current explainers from AP News and astronomy sites make a few key points: ^[33]

Tides:
- Supermoons do produce slightly higher “perigean” spring tides, but for most coastal communities, the difference from a typical full‑moon tide is small and usually not hazardous by itself.
Earthquakes & volcanoes:
- There’s no strong evidence linking supermoons to spikes in earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
Weather and health:
- The Moon doesn’t directly control storms, cold snaps or human health conditions. Any correlations people notice tend to be coincidental or influenced by confirmation bias.

What the supermoon does reliably offer is a brighter, longer‑lasting natural night light – great for evening walks, night photography and skywatching.

How to make the most of the December 2025 full moon

Whether you’re coming at this from a scientific, cultural or spiritual angle, this month’s full moon lends itself to a bit of intentional planning:

Plan at least one dedicated viewing session
- Choose one of the “big nights”: Dec 3 (Pleiades event), Dec 4 (exact full moon), or Dec 13–14 (Geminids, with the moon out of the way). ^[34]
Check your local forecast early
- Cloud cover can make or break the view, so many guides suggest having a Plan B location or backup night if possible.
Add a simple ritual, if you like that sort of thing
- Journaling what you’re ready to finish, release or complete at year’s end.
- Writing down worries or habits you want to leave in 2025, then tearing the paper up or storing it away as a symbolic gesture (a common theme in current full‑moon ritual articles). ^[35]
Combine it with other sky events
- Go out early on December 4 to watch the full moon rise, then return on December 7 to catch the Moon near Jupiter, and December 13–14 for the Geminids under darker skies. ^[36]
Don’t forget simple enjoyment
- For all the technical details, this is still just a chance to step outside, look up, and feel time slow down for a few minutes as a bright winter moon hangs high over your part of the world.

As of today, December 2, 2025, the December full Cold Supermoon is being billed across news, science and lifestyle outlets as one of the signature night‑sky moments of late 2025 — rare in its geometry, photogenic in its brightness, and rich in cultural stories. If you pick a clear evening and a good horizon, you’ll be well‑placed to watch it live.