Full Moon December 2025: Cold Supermoon peaks on December 4 with prime evening views

The final full Moon of the year arrives as a Cold Supermoon, reaching peak illumination on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Because the Moon is near perigee—its closest point to Earth—the disk will look slightly larger and brighter than average, capping the year with an especially photogenic rise at dusk for many regions. Skygazers can expect vivid detail along the lunar maria and a striking, low-on-the-horizon appearance that enhances the spectacle.

When to see the December 2025 full Moon

The Cold Supermoon becomes full at 23:14 UTC on December 4. Here are handy local times:

Note: Fullness is an instant; your best visual experience is typically at moonrise shortly after local sunset, when the Moon is low and foreground landmarks add scale.

Why December’s full Moon is called the “Cold Moon”

The name “Cold Moon” reflects the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, with longer nights and typically clearer, drier air that can sharpen lunar views. Different cultures have seasonal names for each full Moon; “Cold Moon” has become the widely used December moniker associated with frosty weather and the approach of the solstice.

What makes it a supermoon

A supermoon occurs when a full Moon aligns closely with perigee. The effect is subtle to the naked eye but real: the Moon can appear up to around 7% larger in diameter and roughly 15% brighter than an average full Moon. Photographers may notice more saturated highlights on the bright lunar surface and stronger reflections on water and snow.

Best viewing tips for the full Moon in December 2025

• Catch moonrise: Look to the eastern horizon about 15–30 minutes after your local sunset on December 4. In the UK and across Europe, striking views continue into the late evening; in North Africa and the Middle East, the Moon will be highest after midnight local time (early December 5).

• Find a clear horizon: Beaches, rooftops, open fields, and hilltops provide the best sightlines. Urban observers can frame the Moon with skyline silhouettes for dramatic compositions.

• Let your eyes adjust: Avoid bright phone screens for a few minutes to enhance contrast and reveal subtle shading across the lunar plains and highlands.

• Use binoculars: Even a small pair (7× to 10×) reveals craters like Tycho and Copernicus, plus the ray systems that radiate across the surface.

• Photograph smart: Start around 1/125–1/250s at ISO 100–200, f/8–f/11 for a sharp, detailed lunar disk. At moonrise, expose a bit longer to balance city lights and twilight color.

What to look for on the lunar face

• Mare regions: Dark basaltic plains such as Mare Imbrium and Mare Tranquillitatis provide contrast that pops under clear winter skies.

• Highland relief: Along the terminator (the line between lunar day and night), small binoculars resolve crater rims casting long shadows, adding striking texture.

• Ray systems: Bright streaks from impact craters—Tycho in the south and Copernicus near the center-left—are especially photogenic during full phase.

Weather and timing notes

Skies in early December can be crisp but changeable. If clouds threaten on the 4th, remember that the Moon will still appear nearly full the nights immediately before and after—offering additional chances for clear views with only a slight change in illumination.

What’s next after the Cold Supermoon

The lunar cycle marches on with last quarter on December 11 and a new Moon on December 20. The next full Moon—the Wolf Moon—arrives in January 2026. While the supermoon effect varies year to year depending on perigee timing, the December 2025 full Moon is a standout finale for observers and photographers alike.

Whether you’re catching it at dusk above a city skyline or high overhead after midnight, the December 2025 Cold Supermoon is a bright, accessible target—no telescope required.