The last supermoon of 2025 is set to illuminate the skies this week, so prepare to look up and enjoy its spectacular glow. The good news about longer nights? You have more time to catch a glimpse!
What is a supermoon?
According to NASA, a supermoon happens when a full Moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as “perigee.”
The Old Farmer’s Almanac adds that the upcoming Cold Moon will rise “brighter and slightly larger” than usual, taking place on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. Compared to a full moon, this last supermoon of 2025 will be up to eight per cent larger in diameter and 16 per cent brighter—a subtle difference to the casual viewer, but a difference all the less.
The December full Moon is a supermoon, the third in a series of three consecutive supermoons at the end of 2025 (October, November, December)
It’s named to reflect the “frigid season,” according to the Almanac, also known as the Long Night Moon in Mohican traditions, as it rises during the longest nights of the year, near the winter solstice and remains above the horizon for an extended period of time.
Best times to view the Cold Moon
The Cold Moon will be fully illuminated at 6:14 p.m. EST on Dec. 4, 2025, but the most dramatic views come just after moonrise, when the moon appears to sit on the horizon. This phenomenon is called the “Moon illusion,” and makes it seem its largest.
Local moonrise times across Canada
According to the Almanac, the moon will rise at the following times across the country:
- Vancouver: Rises at 2:21 p.m. (NE) at 91 per cent illumination, sets at 4:59 a.m. (NW)
- Calgary: Rises at 2:37 p.m. (NE) at 91 per cent illumination, sets at 5:37 a.m. (NW)
- Edmonton: Rises at 2:24 p.m. (NE) at 91 per cent illumination, sets at 5:24 a.m. (NW)
- Toronto: Rises at 2:41 p.m. (NE) at 91 per cent illumination, sets at 4:38 a.m. (NW)
- Ottawa: Rises at 2:20 p.m. (NE) at 91 per cent illumination, sets at 4:27 a.m. (NW)
- Montreal: Rises at 1:11 p.m. (NE) at 91 per cent illumination, sets at 4:18 a.m. (NW)
For your best chances of viewing, head to your nearest dark sky preserve or scout out an area with low light pollution.
Fingers crossed for clear skies for at least a couple of hours on Thursday.
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