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Full Cold Supermoon December 2026: Date, Meaning, and Viewing Tips

full cold moon, december full moon, the old farmers almanac
Image Credit:
Colleen Quinell/The Old Farmer's Almanac
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Rising during the darkest nights of the year, the Full Cold Supermoon of December 2026 arrives on December 23—just after the winter solstice and right before Christmas. Brighter and closer than a typical full Moon, it illuminates early winter skies while echoing ancient traditions tied to cold, snow, and long nights.

When to See December’s Full Moon

The Full Cold Moon will be 100% illuminated on Wednesday December 23 at 8:28 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.

Why December’s Full Moon Is a Supermoon

December’s Full Cold Moon orbits closer to Earth than any of the other Full Moons this year, making it one of the three Supermoons of 2026! At its nearest point, the Beaver Moon will be 221,667 miles (356,740 kilometers) from Earth… this is the closest Supermoon of the year!  

Supermoon is a catchy term for what astronomers call a perigean Full Moon, which is when the Full Moon happens at or near its closest point to Earth in its oval-shaped orbit. While a Supermoon is technically bigger and brighter than a regular Full Moon, it only appears about 7% larger—which can be an imperceptible difference to the human eye, depending on other conditions. 

Why Is It Called the 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 2026

december 2026 moon phases including the full cold supermoon

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
Last Quarter: December 1, 1:08 A.M.
New Moon: December 8, 7:52 P.M.
First Quarter: December 17, 12:42 A.M.
Full Moon: December 23, 8:28 P.M.
Last Quarter: December 30, 1:59 P.M.

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

Best Days in December 2026

Based on the Moon’s phase and sign:

  • Harvesting: Aboveground crops: 20, 21 | Belowground crops: 1, 2, 28, 29
  • Setting Eggs: 21-23, 30, 31
  • Fishing: 8-23

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 loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Phil</span> Sat, 10/28/2017 - 12:52
People grow up! - the moon has ZERO impact on hair cuts and/or hair growth. Oy...
<span>Marie Lappe</span> Sun, 12/03/2017 - 03:21
You need education of all kinds, if u don't know or believe in nature, u don't know or believe in the world. Get schooled,shut your mouth,and leave the world alone
<span>Dutch</span> Sun, 11/12/2017 - 23:28
Carefully staying cautious with Outsiders.
<span>Simon</span> Tue, 04/05/2016 - 16:30
I like this.
<span>Denise</span> Fri, 01/01/2016 - 00:06
In which year will the moon next be full on December 31st?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 01/01/2016 - 17:21

Hi Denise, I don't know where you live, but if we use GMT, the next Full Moon on December 31 will happen in 2028 ,then 2066, then 2085. The last full Moon on December 31 was in 2009.

 <span>Karen L</span> Tue, 12/29/2015 - 05:50
What is a cold full moon & what does it mean??
<span>Van</span> Sun, 12/27/2015 - 01:09
For thousands of years, people have known the best time to initiate any project is when the moon is waxing from dark to full. I always believed cutting hair fits into this category. I believe the Almanac states this too, but also gives confusing dates?? Also what is the emphasis all the sudden on Lunar haircutting, I think it stems from the Lunar hair cutting craze put out by that henna company M.M. People, their calendars are wrong and I don't know where they are getting their information. I think they are making it up as a lot of their products are supposed to be based on Traditional Alternative Medicine methods, but they are not, not even close. Please don't go for the baloney - it is just marketing to try to get you to buy their product line at ridiculously HIGH PRICES...They are not experts as their serums and elixirs are B.S. You could ez make them yourself for 99% less of the price they charge for one.
<span>Linda Cestodio</span> Wed, 12/02/2015 - 15:53
what does that mean??? what can I plant on those days if anything,.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 12/03/2015 - 17:19

Hi Linda,

You can plant below-ground crops like radishes, carrots, potatoes in the waning of the Moon (between a full Moon and new). The Moon will be new on Dec. 11. After Dec. 11 plant above-ground crops (tomatoes, peas, pepper etc.).