Two Meteor Showers and a Supermoon Highlight the December Night Skies

The last full moon of the year, a pair of meteor showers, and the winter solstice highlight the December 2025 astronomical calendar. You may need to bundle up to head outside to catch all of these events; however, the longer nights also make it easier to see the beauty without having to sacrifice as much sleep. Here is a look at what you need to put on your calendar this month.

Supermoon - December 4 and 5

The last full moon of the year will also be distinguished as a supermoon. This means that it will appear slightly brighter and larger than a normal full moon when it shines in the sky on the night of Thursday, December 4. The moon will look so bright to stargazers because it will be near its closest point to Earth in its orbital path. For example, the moon is typically located 238,855 miles from Earth. But on December 4, the moon will be approximately 2,000 miles closer to the planet. As such, the celestial body will seem noticeably brighter and bigger.

The December full moon is typically known as the Cold Moon, a moniker that pays tribute to the arrival of the winterlike temperatures that begin to spread across North America this time of the year. Other nicknames for the December full moon include the Long Night Moon, the Little Spirit Moon, the Moon of the Popping Trees, and the Winter Maker Moon. All of these names are a reflection of the arrival of the long and cold winter season.