December Full Cold Moon Was The Last Supermoon of 2025

The full moon on December 4, 2025 dubbed the “Cold Moon” served as the final supermoon of the year for observers around the world.

The designation “supermoon” applies when the full moon’s phase coincides with its perigee, the point in its orbit closest to Earth.

On this occasion, the lunar distance was about 357,218 kilometers, a proximity that caused the moon to appear up to 14% larger and as much as 25-30% brighter than an average full moon.

In the Northern Hemisphere, this Cold Moon also climbed to its highest nightly elevation of the year.

Because the sun sits lowest in the sky near the winter solstice, the Moon, which rises opposite the sun, appears unusually high and bright.

The full moon reached official peak illumination at 6:14 p.m. Eastern Time on December 4.

Cold Moon Supermoon

Still, observers in many regions saw a brilliant, nearly full moon on the nights of December 3 and 5 as well.

Cultural traditions assign various names to the December full moon. “Cold Moon” reflects the onset of winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere.

Other historic names include “Long Night Moon” and “Moon Before Yule.”