2025 Full Moon Calendar — Dates, Traditional Names and When to Watch (Super Moons Highlighted)

The Full Moon occurs when Earth lies nearly directly between the Sun and the Moon, so the lunar hemisphere that faces us is fully illuminated. As the Moon orbits Earth, the angle of sunlight striking the lunar surface changes, producing the familiar sequence of lunar phases.

Complete List of Full Moons in 2025 (All times Eastern; * = Super Moon)

• Monday, Jan. 13 — 5:27 P.M. ET — Wolf Moon
• Wednesday, Feb. 12 — 8:53 A.M. ET — Snow Moon
• Friday, March 14 — 2:55 A.M. ET — Worm Moon
• Saturday, April 12 — 8:22 P.M. ET — Pink Moon
• Monday, May 12 — 12:56 P.M. ET — Flower Moon
• Wednesday, June 11 — 3:44 A.M. ET — Strawberry Moon
• Thursday, July 10 — 4:37 P.M. ET — Buck Moon
• Saturday, Aug. 9 — 3:55 A.M. ET — Sturgeon Moon
• Sunday, Sept. 7 — 2:09 P.M. ET — Corn Moon
• Monday, Oct. 6 — 11:48 P.M. ET — Hunter’s Moon *
• Wednesday, Nov. 5 — 8:19 A.M. ET — Beaver Moon *
• Thursday, Dec. 4 — 6:14 P.M. ET — Cold Moon *

Note: Times listed above are Eastern unless otherwise noted. The sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset times given elsewhere in this guide are for the reference location 40° N, 90° W; local times will vary. We update this guide regularly with the latest skywatching details.

Day‑by‑Day Sky Notes (Early December)

Monday, December 8

Sunrise: 7:10 A.M. — Sunset: 4:34 P.M.
Moonrise: 8:50 P.M. — Moonset: 10:49 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous (77%)

Tuesday, December 9

Sunrise: 7:10 A.M. — Sunset: 4:34 P.M.
Moonrise: 10:02 P.M. — Moonset: 11:20 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous (67%)

Wednesday, December 10

At 2:00 A.M. EST the Moon passes about 0.7° north of Regulus. Observers in parts of Greenland and northern Canada may see the Moon occult (briefly block) the star; elsewhere the Moon will pass very close by. The Moon rises before midnight; track it as the constellation Leo climbs in the eastern sky.
Sunrise: 7:11 A.M. — Sunset: 4:34 P.M.
Moonrise: 11:09 P.M. — Moonset: 11:46 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous (52%)

Thursday, December 11

Last Quarter occurs at 3:52 P.M. EST.
Sunrise: 7:12 A.M. — Sunset: 4:35 P.M.
Moonrise: — — Moonset: 12:07 P.M.
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (47%)

Friday, December 12

Sunrise: 7:13 A.M. — Sunset: 4:35 P.M.
Moonrise: 12:12 A.M. — Moonset: 12:28 P.M.
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (37%)

Understanding the Lunar Cycle

The sequence of lunar phases runs: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter and Waning Crescent. The synodic month—the interval from one Full Moon to the next—averages about 29.5 days. Although the astronomical Full Moon is a single instant when the Sun, Earth and Moon are precisely aligned, the Moon appears essentially full to the eye for roughly three days.

Traditional Moon Names and What They Mean

Many Full Moons carry traditional names drawn from cultural, agricultural and natural observations across North America and Europe. Below are the common North American names and short explanations:

• Wolf Moon (January): Named for wolves whose howls were associated with midwinter.
• Snow Moon (February): Reflects frequent heavy snowfall in many regions.
• Worm Moon (March): Signals earthworms appearing as the ground thaws.
• Pink Moon (April): Named for early pink wildflowers (phlox) that bloom in spring.
• Flower Moon (May): Celebrates abundant spring blossoms.
• Strawberry Moon (June): Marks the traditional strawberry harvest.
• Buck Moon (July): Coincides with new antler growth on male deer.
• Sturgeon Moon (August): Named for seasonal sturgeon fishing in some regions.
• Corn Moon (September): Associated with corn harvesting.
• Hunter’s Moon (October): Linked to hunting season before winter.
• Beaver Moon (November): When beavers traditionally prepare for winter.
• Cold Moon (December): Evokes the chill of deep winter.

Other Common Moon Terms

• Super Moon: A Full Moon occurring near lunar perigee (the Moon's closest approach to Earth), making it appear slightly larger and brighter. This guide flags Super Moons with an asterisk.
• Blue Moon: The second Full Moon in a single calendar month (roughly every 2.7 years). The term doesn't mean the Moon looks blue except under rare atmospheric conditions.
• Black Moon: An informal term used either for the third of four New Moons in a season or the second New Moon in a calendar month; a Black Moon is a New Moon and therefore not visible.
• Harvest Moon: The Full Moon nearest the autumnal equinox (usually in September), which rises soon after sunset and provides extended evening light for harvests.

FAQs

What Is The Difference Between A Full Moon And A New Moon?
The Full Moon is when Earth lies between the Sun and Moon and the Moon’s Earth-facing hemisphere is fully lit. A New Moon occurs when the Moon lies between Earth and the Sun and its Earth-facing side is dark.

How Do Full Moons Affect Tides?
During Full and New Moons the Sun, Earth and Moon are roughly aligned, producing stronger "spring tides" — higher high tides and lower low tides — due to the combined gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon.

All Lunar Phase Dates For 2025

Below is a month-by-month list of the principal lunar phase dates for 2025. (New / First Quarter / Full / Last Quarter)

Jan. 6 / Jan. 13 / Jan. 21 / Jan. 29

Feb. 5 / Feb. 12 / Feb. 20 / Feb. 27

March 6 / March 14 / March 22 / March 29

April 4 / April 12 / April 20 / April 27

May 4 / May 12 / May 20 / May 26

June 2 / June 11 / June 18 / June 25

July 2 / July 10 / July 17 / July 24

Aug. 1 / Aug. 9 / Aug. 16 / Aug. 23

Aug. 31 / Sept. 7 / Sept. 14 / Sept. 21

Sept. 29 / Oct. 6 / Oct. 13 / Oct. 21

Oct. 29 / Nov. 5 / Nov. 12 / Nov. 20

Nov. 28 / Dec. 4 / Dec. 11 / Dec. 19

Dec. 27

Note on Sources and Times: Times in this article are given in Eastern Time unless noted. Daily sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset times shown for early December are for the reference location 40° N, 90° W; your local times will differ. We correct and update this guide as new information or clarifications become available. For precise local timings, consult a reliable astronomical almanac or planetarium app.

This calendar was originally published by Astronomy Magazine and is republished here with updates and scheduling notes.