2024 Full Moon calendar: When to see the Full Moon and phases

Here's the schedule of Full Moons in 2024 and the traditional names given to them, depending on the month they appear.
By and | Published: December 4, 2024

The phenomenon of a Full Moon arises when our planet, Earth, is precisely sandwiched between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment ensures the entire side of the Moon that faces us gleams under sunlight. Thanks to the Moon’s orbit around Earth, the angle of sunlight hitting the lunar surface and being reflected back to our planet changes. That creates different lunar phases.

The next Full Moon in 2024 is at 4:02 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Dec. 15, and is called the Cold Moon.

We’ll update this article multiple times each week with the latest moonrise, moonset, Full Moon schedule, and some of what you can see in the sky each week.

Here’s the complete list of Full Moons this year and their traditional names.

2024 Full Moon schedule and names of each

(all times Eastern)

  • Jan. 25 — 12:54 p.m. — Wolf Moon
  • Feb. 24 —7:30 a.m. — Snow Moon
  • March 25 — 3 a.m. — Worm Moon
  • April 23 — 7:49 p.m. — Pink Moon
  • May 23 — 9:53 a.m. — Flower Moon
  • Friday, June 21 — 9:08 p.m. — Strawberry Moon
  • Sunday, July 21 — 6:17 a.m. — Buck Moon
  • Monday, Aug. 19 — 2:26 p.m. — Sturgeon Moon
  • Tuesday, Sept. 17 — 10:34 p.m. — Corn Moon
  • Thursday, Oct. 17 — 7:26 a.m. — Hunter’s Moon
  • Friday, Nov. 15 — 4:28 p.m. — Beaver Moon
  • Sunday, Dec. 15 — 4:02 a.m. — Cold Moon

The phases of the Moon in December 2024

The images below show the day-by-day phases of the Moon in December. The Full Moon this month is Sunday, Dec. 15.

The moonrise and moonset schedule this week

The following is adapted from Alison Klesman’s The Sky This Week column. Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. local time from the same location.

Wednesday, December 4
The Moon passes 2° south of Venus at 6 P.M. EST. You can catch the pair hanging together in the evening sky some 16° high an hour after sunset, brightening eastern Sagittarius. Blazing Venus stands to the Moon’s upper right. It’s a picturesque pairing that any astrophotographer will want to capture. 

At magnitude –4.2, Venus is a stunning evening star that you can’t miss. Through a telescope, its disk appears 18” across and some 66 percent lit. Compare that gibbous phase to the Moon’s thinner crescent: Our nearly four-day-old satellite is just 14 percent lit as the Sun slowly peeks over the eastern limb. See if you can spot any earthshine on the western portion of the Moon — this occurs when sunlight bounces off Earth and lights up regions that are still hidden in Earth’s shadow.

The pair is visible for nearly three hours after sunset, offering a great evening view whether you’re able to get out right at sunset or opt to step outside once darkness has fully fallen. 

Sunrise: 7:06 A.M.
Sunset: 4:34 P.M.
Moonrise: 10:27 A.M.
Moonset: 7:37 P.M. 
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (13%)

Thursday, December 5

Sunrise: 7:07 A.M.
Sunset: 4:34 P.M.
Moonrise: 11:05 A.M.
Moonset: 8:48 P.M. 
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (20%)

Friday, December 6

Sunrise: 7:08 A.M.
Sunset: 4:34 P.M.
Moonrise: 11:37 A.M.
Moonset: 10:00 P.M. 
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (30%)

The phases of the Moon

The phases of the Moon are: New Moon, waxing crescent, First Quarter, waxing gibbous, Full Moon, waning gibbous, Last Quarter, and waning crescent. A cycle starting from one Full Moon to its next counterpart, termed the synodic month or lunar month, lasts about 29.5 days.

Though a Full Moon only occurs during the exact moment when Earth, Moon, and Sun form a perfect alignment, to our eyes, the Moon seems Full for around three days.

RELATED: 20 things to see on the Moon

Different names for different types of Full Moon

There are a wide variety of specialized names used to identify distinct types or timings of Full Moons. These names primarily trace back to a blend of cultural, agricultural, and natural observations about the Moon, aimed at allowing humans to not only predict seasonal changes, but also track the passage of time. 

For instance, almost every month’s Full Moon boasts a name sourced from Native American, Colonial American, or other North American traditions, with their titles mirroring seasonal shifts and nature’s events.

Wolf Moon (January): Inspired by the cries of hungry wolves.

Snow Moon (February): A nod to the month’s often heavy snowfall.

Worm Moon (March): Named after the earthworms that signal thawing grounds.

Pink Moon (April): In honor of the blossoming pink wildflowers.

Flower Moon (May): Celebrating the bloom of flowers.

Strawberry Moon (June): Marks the prime strawberry harvest season.

Buck Moon (July): Recognizing the new antlers on bucks.

Sturgeon Moon (August): Named after the abundant sturgeon fish.

Corn Moon (September): Signifying the corn harvesting period.

Hunter’s Moon (October): Commemorating the hunting season preceding winter.

Beaver Moon (November): Reflects the time when beavers are busy building their winter dams.

Cold Moon (December): Evocative of winter’s chill.

In addition, there are a few additional names for Full Moons that commonly make their way into public conversations and news.

Super Moon: This term is reserved for a Full Moon that aligns with the lunar perigee, which is the Moon’s nearest point to Earth in its orbit. This proximity renders the Full Moon unusually large and luminous. For a Full Moon to earn the Super Moon tag, it should be within approximately 90 percent of its closest distance to Earth.

Blue Moon: A Blue Moon is the second Full Moon in a month that experiences two Full Moons. This phenomenon graces our skies roughly every 2.7 years. Though the term suggests a color, Blue Moons aren’t truly blue. Very occasionally, atmospheric conditions such as recent volcanic eruptions might lend the Moon a slightly blueish tint, but this hue isn’t tied to the term.

Harvest Moon: Occurring closest to the autumnal equinox, typically in September, the Harvest Moon is often renowned for a distinct orange tint it might display. This Full Moon rises close to sunset and sets near sunrise, providing extended hours of bright moonlight. Historically, this was invaluable to farmers gathering their produce.

Common questions about Full Moons

What is the difference between a Full Moon and a New Moon? A Full Moon is witnessed when Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, making the entire Moon’s face visible. Conversely, during a New Moon, the Moon lies between Earth and the Sun, shrouding its Earth-facing side in darkness.

How does the Full Moon influence tides? The Moon’s gravitational tug causes Earth’s waters to bulge, birthing tides. During both Full and New Moons, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in alignment, generating “spring tides.” These tides can swing exceptionally high or low due to the combined gravitational influences of the Sun and Moon.

Here are the dates for all the lunar phases in 2024:

New First Quarter Full Last Quarter
Jan. 3
Jan. 11 Jan. 17 Jan. 25 Feb. 2
Feb. 9 Feb. 16 Feb. 24 March 3
March 10 March 17 March 25 April 1
April 8 April 15 April 23 May 1
May 7 May 15 May 23 May 30
June 6 June 14 June 21 June 28
July 5 July 13 July 21 July 27
Aug. 4 Aug. 12 Aug. 19 Aug 26
Sept. 2 Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 24
Oct. 2 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24
Nov. 1 Nov. 9 Nov. 15 Nov. 22
Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 15 Dec. 22
Dec. 30