The next particularly close full moon — a supermoon by the strict definition — falls on December 24, 2026. Depending on the definition, other close full moons of 2026 are also called supermoons, which is why some supermoon calendars differ slightly.
The term supermoon is not strictly defined, so different astronomical sources may publish different lists. In 2026 there are three full moons that are generally classified as supermoons. The strongest of them is the Christmas Eve full moon on December 24, 2026.
| Date | Event | Distance to Earth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 3, 2026 | Wolf Moon (super full moon) | approx. 356,600 km | Bright winter full moon, ideal for photos over snow. |
| November 24, 2026 | Beaver Moon (super full moon) | approx. 356,900 km | Late-autumn supermoon with very sculptural crater relief. |
| December 24, 2026 | Christmas Eve Full Moon (super full moon) | approx. 356,400 km | The strongest supermoon of 2026 (closest approach to Earth). |
The term supermoon is not an official astronomical designation. It was coined by the astrologer Richard Nolle, who defined a supermoon as a full moon (or new moon) occurring while the Moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth (the so-called perigee).
Because this 90% threshold can be interpreted differently — depending on whether the orbit of a particular month or of the whole year is used as the baseline — the calendars diverge. Some sources count two to four supermoons per year, others apply the definition more strictly.
When the Moon rises above the eastern horizon shortly after sunset, it stands close to buildings, trees and the skyline. The so-called moon illusion makes it appear even larger. That impression is not purely a trick of the eye — the contrast with the horizon strengthens the effect noticeably.
Find an elevated point with a clear view to the east. City skylines, striking buildings or a tree line on the horizon turn the rising supermoon into a powerful photo subject.
The Moon's orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle but an ellipse. That means the distance between Earth and Moon changes constantly. At the closest point (perigee) the distance is about 356,000 km; at the farthest point (apogee) it is roughly 406,000 km.
In a direct comparison, a supermoon appears up to 14% larger in diameter and up to 30% brighter than a full moon at apogee (a micromoon). But when you simply look up at the evening sky, the naked eye lacks a direct reference point, so the difference can feel subtler than the numbers suggest.
The most important requirement for an impressive supermoon shot is a tripod — even with a smartphone. Use a telephoto focal length or the optical zoom to make the Moon as large as possible in the frame. Reduce the exposure manually, because a bright full moon otherwise burns out into a white, featureless disk. A foreground subject (a tree, a church tower) gives the image depth and scale.
The next particularly close full moon — a supermoon by the strict definition — falls on December 24, 2026. Depending on the definition, other close full moons of 2026 also count as supermoons.
That depends on the current date, the moon phase and the Moon's distance from Earth. For the current phase, check the moon phase today page.
The term supermoon is not a strict astronomical definition. Most sources mean a full moon near the closest point of the lunar orbit. The exact threshold varies between sources.
Yes, a supermoon can appear somewhat larger and brighter than an average full moon. To the naked eye the difference is often subtle.
A supermoon is visible worldwide wherever the sky is clear. What matters most is the local moonrise time, the weather and an unobstructed view of the horizon.
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