12/28/2025
The Wolf Moon Returns 🌕
January 3, 2026 – The first full moon of the year rises over the winter landscape as the powerful Wolf Moon illuminates the night sky with stunning brilliance. Named for the haunting howls of wolves echoing through deep winter snows beneath January’s glowing moon.
What Makes This Special ✨
This Wolf Moon is also a supermoon, appearing near its closest point to Earth. It will shine about 30% brighter and look 14% larger than the smallest full moon of the year.
Peak illumination: 5:03 AM EST (10:03 UTC) on January 3, though it will appear full for several nights before and after.
The Legend of the Wolf Moon 🐺
The name comes from Native American traditions, particularly the Algonquian tribes, who associated January’s full moon with wolves howling from hunger during winter’s harshest days.
Legend says a wolf spirit was placed in the sky as guardian of the evening star and loyal servant of the sun, forever lifting its voice in song to the Moon.
How to See It 🌌
On the evening of January 3, look east at sunset to watch the Moon rise, glowing golden as it climbs through the atmosphere. This supermoon will command the sky all night long – a dramatic and beautiful start to the year.
