Date
Thursday, December 24, 2026
Full Moon December 2026
The Full Moon in December 2026 occurs on Thursday, December 24, 2026 at 02:28 CET and is in the sign of Cancer ♋. It is the largest full moon of the year — Supermoon at perigee.
Full Moon December 2026 — All Details
Time
02:28 CET
Moon Name
Cold Moon
Zodiac Sign
Cancer ♋
Next New Moon
January 7, 2027
Full Moon December 2026: Highlights and Observation
What makes this Full Moon special
This Full Moon is a supermoon: at the moment of the phase on December 24, 2026, the Moon is only about 357,000 km from Earth, well below the mean distance of 384,400 km. By the 90 percent rule (distance within the closest 10 percent of its orbit, perigee of this orbit about 357,000 km) it qualifies as a supermoon. In 2026 it is the 1st closest of 13 Full Moons; it is about 4,000 km closer than the Full Moon of November (361,000 km) and about 1,000 km closer than the one of January (358,000 km).
Observing from London
In London the Moon rises on December 24 at 15:59 GMT and sets the following morning at 09:44; the Sun sets at 15:55 and rises the next morning at 08:05. The Full Moon is therefore above the horizon all night long. Other locations in the UK differ by a few minutes.
Meteor showers and eclipses
The Ursids peak (December 22–23) falls into the Full Moon period, 1 day from the peak: bright moonlight washes out the shower, poor conditions, only the brightest meteors remain visible.
Observing Full Moon December 2026
Best Timing
Shortly after moonrise, the full moon is close to the horizon — ideal for photos with a foreground. City skylines, trees, or bodies of water yield impressive compositions. The live view shows the exact moonrise for your location.
Photography Tip
Short exposure (1/250s–1/500s), low ISO (100–400), telephoto range. Smartphone: tap the moon manually, slide exposure control down. Use a tripod for sharpness at long focal lengths.
The Cold Moon: Name & Folklore
Cold Moon: the full moon of the longest, coldest nights. In Europe it is also known as the Moon before Yule.
Tip for December 2026
The December full moon takes the year’s highest path and shines for up to 17 hours — the longest full-moon night, ideal for extended observation.
Special Note
Doubly special: the closest supermoon of 2026 — and a full moon on Christmas Eve (once in ~19 years).
Frequently Asked Questions about Full Moon December 2026
When is the Full Moon in December 2026?
Thursday, December 24, 2026, at exactly 02:28 CET. The exact local moonrise is shown in the live view on the homepage.
In which zodiac sign is the Full Moon of December 2026?
The Full Moon is in the sign of Cancer ♋.
When is the next New Moon after the Full Moon of December 2026?
The next New Moon after the Full Moon in December is on January 7, 2027.
Why is the December full moon called “Cold Moon”?
Cold Moon: the full moon of the longest, coldest nights. In Europe it is also known as the Moon before Yule.
Is the Full Moon of December 2026 a supermoon?
This Full Moon is a supermoon: at the moment of the phase on December 24, 2026, the Moon is only about 357,000 km from Earth, well below the mean distance of 384,400 km. By the 90 percent rule (distance within the closest 10 percent of its orbit, perigee of this orbit about 357,000 km) it qualifies as a supermoon. In 2026 it is the 1st closest of 13 Full Moons; it is about 4,000 km closer than the Full Moon of November (361,000 km) and about 1,000 km closer than the one of January (358,000 km).
Can I see meteors around the Full Moon of December 2026?
The Ursids peak (December 22–23) falls into the Full Moon period, 1 day from the peak: bright moonlight washes out the shower, poor conditions, only the brightest meteors remain visible.