🌙 Moon Phases December 2027: See all lunar phases for December 2027 including new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter dates. Updated with accurate astronomical data.
About December 2027 moon phases
On December 13, 2027, December's full moon — the Cold Moon — rises closest to the winter solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere axis tilts farthest from the Sun. Because the December full moon's path mirrors the June Sun's path, it sits unusually high in the sky — the highest full moon of the year for most US viewers. Combined with the long winter night, this gives the December moon the longest 'time above horizon' of any month.
Benefits
- ·Highest, longest-visible full moon of the year
- ·Stays above horizon for ~16 hours in mid-latitudes
- ·Pairs with the winter solstice cultural cycle
- ·Affects Geminids meteor shower visibility
- ·Lists prime winter-solstice photography conditions
How it works
the December 2027 full moon peaks on December 13, 2027. Throughout 2027, the moon completes 12-13 full cycles, each lasting 29.53 days. Distance from Earth varies between 356,500 km (perigee) and 406,700 km (apogee), creating supermoon and micromoon size differences of about 14%. Full-moon timing data on this page comes from the US Naval Observatory and NASA Goddard.
The high arc of the December moon means it stays above the horizon for ~16 hours in mid-latitudes, compared to ~9 hours for the June moon. The 'Long Night Moon' is an alternate Indigenous name reflecting this. December full moons often coincide with Geminids meteor shower (Dec 13-14), creating bright-sky conditions that wash out fainter meteors.
Who uses December 2027 moon phases
Photographers planning moonrise shots 2027, December-specific cultural and religious observers, astrology readers tracking December transits, fishermen and surfers reading tide cycles, and anyone curious about which full moon comes next.
Moon Phases December 2027
Moon phases for December 2027. Full Moon on December 13. New Moon on December 27. See daily moon illumination, lunar calendar, and all phases.
Related
Frequently asked questions
When is the full moon in December 2027?
The full moon in December 2027 falls on December 13, 2027. The exact peak time is shown in the major phases table above. This full moon is traditionally called the Cold Moon in the Old Farmer's Almanac, a name traceable to Algonquian and other Indigenous American sources.
Why is December's full moon called the Cold Moon?
December's full moon is called the Cold Moon in Old Farmer's Almanac tradition, drawn from Indigenous American naming conventions tied to seasonal cycles. Different cultures use different names — Celtic, Chinese, and Hindu calendars assign their own meanings.
When is the new moon in December 2027?
The new moon in December 2027 falls on December 27. New moons are not visible because the moon's lit side faces away from Earth. They are the best night-sky observing nights — without moonlight, fainter stars and meteors become visible.
Why do moon phases shift by date each month?
A complete lunar cycle (synodic month) is 29.53 days, slightly shorter than most calendar months. So each month's full moon falls about 0.5-2 days earlier in the calendar than the previous month's. Occasionally a calendar month contains two full moons — the second is called a "blue moon" (about once every 2.7 years).