Come the holiday season, Dallas is brighter than ever. From twinkling Highland Park lights to bustling Deep Ellum nightlife, and festive ice-skating rinks, the city is lighting up this month. This week, Texas skies have a little light show of their own prepared. Keep your eyes peeled to the skies for the Cold Moon, the final supermoon of 2025!
What is a Supermoon?
The term “supermoon” is relatively new. For the past four decades, the term has been used to describe a full moon that occurs near its perigee, or the closest point in its 27-day orbit, within 90%, to Earth.
As a result, the Moon appears bigger (as much as 14%) and brighter (as much as 30%) to the naked eye. Because both the Moon’s and Earth’s orbit changes, supermoons occur three to four times a year.
What is the Cold Moon?
As with other full moon names, the Cold Moon name has origins in Native American, European, and colonial traditions. “Cold Moon” is the moon’s most common term, coming from the Mohawk community.
Other names used to describe the December Moon include “Long Night Moon” (Mohican), “Frost Exploding Trees Moon” (Cree), and “Little Spirit Moon” (Anishinaabe). The pagans of ancient Europe also referred to the moon as the “Moon Before Yule,” perfectly timed for the start of the Yuletide festival.
When to see the Cold Moon Supermoon in Dallas
The Cold Moon will be completely illuminated at 5:14 PM CST on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
However, the best time to see the Moon at its most dramatic is right after moonrise in Dallas: 4:57 PM CST. To catch this stunning event, watch for the “Moon Illusion” right as the Moon comes over the eastern horizon.
The Moon will also be at its full form the night of Friday, December 5, rising just after 6:00 PM CST, if you miss the peak window.
Where to see the Cold Moon in Dallas?
As with any celestial event, the ideal viewing spot is away from bright city lights. However, excellent views are still possible in Dallas at several spacious and famous parks. Look for a location with a clear view to the eastern horizon:
- Cedar Ridge Preserve: Offers high elevation and a more secluded, darker viewing experience.
- White Rock Lake: A popular, open area with expansive views over the water.
- Klyde Warren Park: While central, its open layout allows a decent sky view above the urban skyline.
- Reverchon Park: Offers clear sightlines along the river near the city core.
When is the first supermoon of 2026?
Sources report that Dallasites won’t have to wait long for the next Supermoon, which is set to take place on January 3, 2026.