Get Almanac's Daily Updates Extended Forecasts Where to Buy Contact Us

December 2025 Cold Moon (Supermoon): Date, Time & Facts

full cold moon, december full moon, the old farmers almanac
Photo Credit
Colleen Quinell/The Old Farmer's Almanac

Why December’s Full Moon is a Supermoon and Called the Cold Moon

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Mark your calendars! December 4, 2025, brings the Cold Moon, and this year it’s a dazzling supermoon. Rising brighter and slightly larger than usual, it lights up the lengthening nights as we approach winter. Don’t miss this stunning celestial show—read on to discover the best times to watch, how to capture it in photos, and the fascinating folklore behind this late fall Moon.

When to See December’s Full Moon

The Full Cold Moon will be 100% illuminated on December 4 at 6:14 P.M. EST. For the most dramatic view, watch just after moonrise, when the Moon appears larger near the horizon—a phenomenon called the “Moon illusion.” Clear skies and minimal light pollution will make it easier to appreciate the Moon’s brightness and detail. Check your local times with our Moon Rise Calculator.

What Makes the December 2025 Full Moon Special

The December full Moon is a supermoon, the third in a series of three consecutive supermoons at the end of 2025 (October, November, December). A supermoon occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, called perigee.

Read Next

Because it’s a supermoon, it may appear slightly larger and brighter than a typical full Moon—up to 8% larger in diameter and 16% brighter. For most casual observers, the difference is subtle, but it’s more noticeable if compared to a micromoon, when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth.

Being near perigee and full, this Moon can also produce slightly higher tides, known as perigean spring tides or king tides, especially along coastlines, though the effect is modest.

This supermoon also comes just before the peak of the Geminid meteor shower (December 13–14), which means exceptionally dark skies for a dazzling display of shooting stars.

The Full Cold Moon

The Moon names we use in The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from centuries of Native American, colonial, and European traditions. December’s Full Moon is most commonly called the Cold Moon (Mohawk), reflecting the frigid season. It is also known as the Long Night Moon (Mohican) because it rises during the longest nights of the year, near the winter solstice, and remains above the horizon for an extended period.

Other traditional names that highlight the cold and snow include:

  • Drift Clearing Moon (Cree)
  • Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree)
  • Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala)
  • Hoar Frost Moon (Cree)
  • Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee)
  • Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki)
  • Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers (Dakota)
  • Little Spirit Moon (Anishinaabe)

In Europe, ancient pagans called it the “Moon Before Yule” in honor of the Yuletide festival celebrating the return of the sun. → See a full calendar year of full Moon names and their meanings.

Moon Phases for December 2025

Below are the dates and times (in Eastern Time) of the Moon’s phases in December. Click here to see the Moon phase dates and times for your location.

December Moon Phase Dates and Times
Full Moon: December 4, 6:14 P.M.
Last Quarter: December 11, 3:52 P.M.
New Moon: December 19, 8:43 P.M.
First Quarter: December 27, 2:10 P.M.

Consult our Full Moon Dates chart for the next full Moon in your area.

Best Days in December 2025

Based on the Moon’s phase and sign:

  • Harvesting: Aboveground crops: 25–26 | Belowground crops: 6–7
  • Setting Eggs: 4–5, 12–13, 31
  • Fishing: 1–4, 19–31

See Best Days for more activities.

Moon Folklore

“If a snowstorm begins when the Moon is young, it will cease at moonrise.”

Share your thoughts about this month’s Moon below!

Full Moon Names
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

More Like This

Comments

<span>Daisyrothschild</span> Wed, 12/18/2013 - 11:34
I knew the Solstice was on its way, (beginning of summer, not winter, if you think about it... all the days start getting longer from this point out-- how's that for a cheery thought?) but I had forgotten the lore about 'hair cuts!' Yesterday I had scheduled, weeks ago, the major trimming for our huge trees, esp. the apples, which you can't trim until after several hard freezes. Well my trees should grow full and fill out this next year, they say, and the wood peckers sure are excited today. The moon last night was spectacular, the night creatures all bathed in blue.
<span>Flowergirl22</span> Sun, 12/15/2013 - 05:21
In many traditions things are cut on the full moon because living things sre at their fullest. For example native tribes in Mexico harvest roots for medicine on full moon b/c the plant is full, the moon pulls on it the same as the tides, the same as a woman's cycle etc. it would make sense that hair and nails are the same.
<span>Ggmelton</span> Mon, 12/16/2013 - 10:35
Full Moon for fullness , new moon for growth.
<span>Marsha Terry</span> Mon, 12/16/2013 - 08:16
My mother used to clip the ends of my hair during a full moon. It always grew back richer and fuller.
<span>Ivy Vega</span> Sat, 12/14/2013 - 20:45
thank you for this it saved me time because im not getting up @ 4 am to look @ it who am i kidding i am
<span>Ggmelton</span> Thu, 12/12/2013 - 22:02
On average everyone's hair grows 6" a year -1/2" a month. I trim/cut my hair on the new moon. It is to my knees. Here is what I know- Hair won't grow if you are not eating enough protein -or use too much heat from chemicals or blow drying. Remember - also can't trim or cut hair faster than it grows. so keep it in good condition so you need to trim only a few inches a year.
<span>Lila Prasad</span> Wed, 12/11/2013 - 12:03
When is the best time to get your hair cut Is it during the period from the full moon to the last quarter of moon
<span>Lila Prasad</span> Wed, 12/11/2013 - 11:58
Is it true to have your hair cut on the full moon cycle and when are those days thanks
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 12/16/2013 - 16:45

Astrologists believe that there are best days by the Moon for certain activities. See the dates for this month for cutting hair: http://www.almanac.com/bestdays/timetable

 <span>Tlc</span> Wed, 12/12/2012 - 19:13
My grandmother trimmed my sister & my hair on the new & full moon from the time we were very little girls. We had very long & very thick braids. I still trim mine on the moon phase. It truly works.