Is there a full moon tonight? Understanding the meaning of December 2025 cold moon and today's moon phase

The December 2025 cold moon is poised to rise in the constellation Gemini, marking the year's final supermoon and lighting up the night sky for several days starting tonight. This luminous spectacle coincides with the onset of the renowned Geminid meteor shower, creating a rare celestial pairing.

This December supermoon will come closer to Earth than typical full moons, with its nearest approach at roughly 221,965 miles, making it appear noticeably larger and brighter. It is the third and concluding supermoon of 2025. Often called the long night moon, December's full moon rises during the years longest nights, approaching the winter solstice.

The Geminid meteor shower, considered one of the most impressive of the year, will begin on the same night. Known for its vivid, colorful meteors, it appears to radiate from the Gemini constellation, moving at moderate speeds across the sky.

Details for Observing the Cold Moon

The December cold supermoon will rise on Thursday, December 4, with peak illumination at 6:14 p.m. ET. Positioned low on the horizon, the moon will look unusually large and luminous. Like the November beaver moon, it will remain visible around the same time for several nights, including the nights before and after. Local moonrise and moonset times can be found on the Old Farmers Almanac website.

Understanding the Cold Moon

The December full moon is traditionally called the cold moon or long night moon, occurring near the winter solstice when nights are longest and temperatures are frigid in the Northern Hemisphere. Alternative names from historical sources include the drift clearing moon and little spirit moon.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moons closest approach to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter. The 2025 supermoon series began in September and will continue through January 2026, with the next cycle not starting until November 2026.

Geminid Meteor Shower Overview

Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through debris left by comets or asteroids. These meteoroids burn up in the atmosphere, creating streaks of light in the sky. The Geminids are unique as they originate from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The meteor shower will be visible from December 4 to December 17, peaking on the night of December 13-14. Observers under dark skies may see up to 120 meteors per hour at the peak, appearing to radiate from the star Castor in Gemini.

The best viewing is typically around midnight, and waiting 30 minutes in a dark location allows eyes to adjust fully. The shower is active from around 9 p.m., reaching its maximum around 2 a.m. and continuing into early morning.

Winter Solstice 2025

The first day of winter, or winter solstice, falls on Sunday, December 21, 2025, with just 9 hours and 17 minutes of daylight. This marks the shortest day of the year, with sunrise and sunset times varying by location.

Upcoming Full Moon

The next full moon after Decembers cold supermoon will be the January 2026 wolf supermoon on Saturday, January 3, marking the final supermoon in the current sequence of four.

Author: Zoe Harrison