A supermoon is a full moon that happens when the Moon is at or near its closest point to Earth, so it looks a little bigger and brighter than usual. The next supermoons are on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, and Wednesday, December 23, 2026, and December's is the closest full moon of the whole year.
When Is the Next Supermoon?
The next supermoon is the Beaver Moon on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 9:53 AM Eastern. After that come the Cold Moon on December 23, then two more in early 2027.
| Full moon (ET) | Name | Distance from Earth | Moon sign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 24, 2026, 9:53 AM | Beaver Moon | 224,169 miles (360,765 km) | Gemini | See the sky |
| Wed, Dec 23, 2026, 8:28 PM | Cold Moon | 221,667 miles (356,738 km) | Cancer | See the sky |
| Fri, Jan 22, 2027, 7:17 AM | Wolf Moon | 222,230 miles (357,644 km) | Leo | See the sky |
| Sat, Feb 20, 2027, 6:23 PM | Snow Moon | 225,748 miles (363,306 km) | Virgo | See the sky |
The first supermoon of 2026 was the Wolf Moon on January 3. October's Hunter's Moon on October 26 comes close, but it falls just outside the usual cutoff, so most lists leave it out.
The best time to look is at moonrise on the evening closest to the full moon, when the Moon sits low on the horizon and looks its largest. In New York, the Moon rises at 4:15 PM on November 24 and at 3:58 PM on December 23, just before sunset. The moon calendar shows the phase and sign for every night of the month.
What Is a Supermoon?
A supermoon is a full moon (or new moon) that happens while the Moon is near perigee, the closest point in its monthly orbit around Earth. The Moon's orbit is an oval rather than a circle, so its distance from us changes all month, from about 221,500 miles at its closest to about 252,700 miles at its farthest.
The word "supermoon" came from astrology, not astronomy. The astrologer Richard Nolle coined it in 1979 in Dell Horoscope magazine and defined it as a new or full moon that happens when the Moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth. Astronomers call the same event a perigee syzygy, and the opposite, a full moon at its farthest point, is called a micromoon (Wikipedia: Supermoon).
A new moon can be a supermoon too, but you can't see it, so almost everyone means a full supermoon.
How Much Bigger Does a Supermoon Look?
A supermoon looks about 14% larger and about 30% brighter than a micromoon, the full moon at its farthest point. Next to an ordinary full moon, the difference is smaller and hard to spot by eye, because there is nothing in the sky to compare it to.
What makes a supermoon look huge is catching it near the horizon. A low Moon behind trees or buildings looks far bigger than the same Moon high in the sky, an effect known as the Moon illusion. Watch it rise just after sunset for the most striking view.
Supermoon Spiritual Meaning
Many practitioners treat a supermoon as a stronger full moon. The full moon is traditionally a time for gratitude, release, charging tools and divination, and a supermoon is said to carry more of that energy because the Moon is closer to Earth.
The Moon's sign adds its own flavor:
- November 24, Full Moon in Gemini: a good day for conversations, learning, writing and clearing the air. Watch out for scattered attention and saying too much.
- December 23, Full Moon in Cancer: the Moon rules Cancer, so astrologers consider it at home here. A good night for home, family, comfort food and honoring the people who raised you. Watch out for old hurts coming back up.
- January 22, 2027, Full Moon in Leo: a good day for confidence, creativity and celebration. Watch out for pride and needing attention.
- February 20, 2027, Full Moon in Virgo: a good day for routines, organizing and practical help. Watch out for picking things apart.
The December supermoon falls two days after the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, so it fits naturally into Yule celebrations.
How to Work With a Supermoon
A supermoon ritual can be as simple as setting out a jar of water, charging your crystals in the moonlight and naming what you are grateful for and ready to release. You can do it on the night of the full moon or the night before or after.
You will need a clean glass jar with a lid, fresh water, a white or silver candle, a slip of paper and a pen, and any crystals you want to charge, such as moonstone or clear quartz.
- Set up where the Moon can reach. Choose a windowsill or a safe spot outside, and place the candle on a heat-proof surface away from anything that can catch.
- Make moon water. Fill the jar with water, close the lid, and set it where the moonlight can fall on it overnight. Our guide to moon water covers safe water, storage and uses.
- Lay out your crystals. Set them next to the jar so they sit in the moonlight too. Leave out stones that fade or crack in water or sunlight, and bring everything in before morning.
- Light the candle and give thanks. Say out loud three things that have gone well for you since the last full moon.
- Write what you are releasing. On the paper, write one habit, worry or situation you are ready to let go of, then fold the paper away from you and tear it up.
- Close and record it. Snuff the candle and note the date, the Moon's sign and how you felt in the moon journal.
If you like to time your work closely, the Moon also rules certain hours of each day. The planetary hours calculator shows when the next Moon hour starts in your town. For more ideas, see 13 things to do during a full moon.
Does a Supermoon Affect the Tides?
Yes, a little. When a full moon lines up with perigee, the Moon's pull on the oceans is slightly stronger, which causes higher-than-usual high tides called perigean spring tides. Along some coasts, these can add to the flooding known as king tides, especially when they meet a storm.
Supermoon FAQ
When is the next supermoon?
The next supermoon is the Beaver Moon on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 9:53 AM Eastern Time. The next one after that is the Cold Moon on Wednesday, December 23, 2026, at 8:28 PM Eastern Time.
How many supermoons are there in 2026?
There are three supermoons in 2026: January 3, November 24 and December 23. The December supermoon is the closest full moon of the year.
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon is a full moon that happens when the Moon is at or near its closest point to Earth, called perigee. It looks slightly bigger and brighter than an average full moon.
What is the difference between a supermoon and a full moon?
Every supermoon is a full moon, but only a few full moons each year happen close enough to perigee to count as supermoons. The rest are ordinary full moons, and the farthest one is called a micromoon.
Who named the supermoon?
The astrologer Richard Nolle coined the word "supermoon" in 1979. Astronomers call the same event a perigee syzygy.
What is the spiritual meaning of a supermoon?
Many practitioners treat a supermoon as a stronger full moon, a time for gratitude, release, charging crystals and making moon water. The Moon's sign that night adds its own themes.
When is the best time to see a supermoon?
The best time is at moonrise on the evening nearest the full moon, when the Moon is low on the horizon and looks its largest. In New York, that is 4:15 PM on November 24 and 3:58 PM on December 23, 2026.
Can you see a supermoon if it is cloudy?
No, clouds will hide it. The night before and the night after a supermoon still show a nearly full Moon at almost the same distance, so you have about three nights to catch it.
When are the supermoons in 2027?
The supermoons of 2027 are the Wolf Moon on January 22 and the Snow Moon on February 20.
