Cold Supermoon December 2025: Exact date, time and best way to watch the last big moon of the year

Cold supermoon in December 2025

A rare cold supermoon will rise in early December 2025, appearing larger and brighter than a typical full moon and traveling high across the winter sky. This event will be the final supermoon of the year and one of the most visually striking lunar moments of the season.

Exact date and full phase time

The cold moon will officially turn full on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The moment of full phase occurs at 8:20 am EST, when the moon is completely illuminated. Although the precise peak happens in daylight for much of North America, the moon will look essentially full on the nights of December 3 and December 4.

Why it is a supermoon

Astronomers classify this December full moon as a supermoon because it occurs close to the moon’s perigee, the point in its orbit where it comes nearest to Earth. At perigee, the moon appears larger and brighter than average; in December 2025 it will be about 221,965 miles (357,218 km) from Earth, compared with the usual distance of roughly 238,900 miles (384,472 km). The full phase arrives about 12 hours after perigee, making this one of the biggest and brightest full moons of 2025.

Names and seasonal context

In many Northern Hemisphere traditions, December’s full moon is called the Cold Moon, associated with the onset of harsher winter weather and long, dark nights. Historical names also include the Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule, reflecting extended winter darkness and the approach of seasonal celebrations.

Best time and way to watch

The most impressive view for many observers will come at moonrise around dusk on Friday, December 5, 2025, when the nearly full moon lifts above the eastern horizon shortly after sunset. At this time the sky is darkening, the moon is still low, and it can look especially dramatic and oversized against familiar landmarks.

Suggested viewing tips

Watch near local sunset on December 5, facing east to see the moon rising while the western sky still glows with twilight.
Choose a location with a clear, low eastern horizon and minimal light pollution, such as a hilltop, open field, or coastal area.
Include trees, buildings, or mountains in your view to enhance the sense of scale as the moon climbs.

Sample city timings

The article highlights example times for major US cities on Friday, December 5, when the supermoon will look particularly striking at dusk.

City	Sunset time	Moonrise time
New York	4:29 pm EST	4:56 pm EST
Los Angeles	4:43 pm PST	5:27 pm PST

Moon’s path and apparent size

Because this full moon occurs near the winter solstice period, the moon follows a high arc through the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere, reaching a greater altitude than many other full moons of the year. Its combination of high elevation and perigee-enhanced apparent size will make it stand out against the cold season backdrop.

The Moon illusion

Many people notice that the moon seems larger when it is close to the horizon, particularly at moonrise. This effect, known as the moon illusion, arises from the way the human brain interprets the size of objects near terrestrial reference points like trees or buildings, even though the moon’s actual angular size does not significantly change.

The cold supermoon of December 2025 will be both the last supermoon of the year and one of its brightest, thanks to the close timing of perigee and full phase.

One-sentence author’s summary

A rare December 2025 cold supermoon, peaking on the morning of December 4 but best viewed at dusk on December 5, will shine unusually large, bright and high as the year’s final and most eye-catching full moon.

The Financial Express — 2025-11-30