Moon phases · Central Time
Moon phases December 2026
In December 2026, the new moon is Tuesday, December 8, 2026 at 6:52 p.m. CST, and the full moon, traditionally called the Cold Moon, is Wednesday, December 23, 2026 at 7:28 p.m. CST.
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All December 2026 moon phases (Central Time)
| Phase | Date | Time (Central) |
|---|---|---|
| Last quarter | 12:08 a.m. CST | |
| New moon | 6:52 p.m. CST | |
| First quarter | 11:42 p.m. CST | |
| Full moon (Cold Moon) | 7:28 p.m. CST | |
| Last quarter | 12:59 p.m. CST |
New and full moon times in other U.S. time zones
| Phase | Eastern | Central | Mountain | Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New moon | December 8 7:52 p.m. EST | December 8 6:52 p.m. CST | December 8 5:52 p.m. MST | December 8 4:52 p.m. PST |
| Full moon | December 23 8:28 p.m. EST | December 23 7:28 p.m. CST | December 23 6:28 p.m. MST | December 23 5:28 p.m. PST |
Mountain Time shown is Denver; most of Arizona does not observe daylight saving time.
The Cold Moon
The Cold Moon is the traditional North American folk name for the full moon around this time of year. Names like this come from almanacs and seasonal folklore; they describe the time of year rather than anything about the moon itself.
A simple candle ritual for this month
Many people use the new moon as a time to set an intention and the full moon as a time to pause and reflect. This is a quiet practice for ambiance and reflection, not a promise of any outcome.
- Choose an evening close to the new or full moon time above.
- Light your candle in a calm, safe spot and put your phone away.
- Breathe slowly for a minute or two and let the room settle.
- Write a few lines. At the new moon, an intention for the weeks ahead; at the full moon, what you want to notice or let go of.
- Sit with it for a few minutes, then snuff the candle and keep your note somewhere you'll see it.
Read more in our moon phase guide, and see candle care for safe burning.
Candles for the new and full moon
Questions
What time is the full moon in Chicago in December 2026?
The full moon is Wednesday, December 23, 2026 at 7:28 p.m. CST. That is the exact instant of the full phase; the moon looks full for about a night on either side.
When is the new moon in December 2026?
The new moon is Tuesday, December 8, 2026 at 6:52 p.m. CST. The new moon itself isn't visible; a thin crescent usually appears in the evening sky a day or two later.
Can I do a moon ritual the day after?
Yes. Many people light their candle on the evening closest to the exact time, whether that is the night before, the night of, or the night after. Pick the evening that suits your schedule.
Where do these times come from?
From the U.S. Naval Observatory's Phases of the Moon data, converted from Universal Time to Central Time, with daylight saving time applied where it is in effect.
Source
Times: U.S. Naval Observatory, Astronomical Applications Department, Phases of the Moon (aa.usno.navy.mil), retrieved October 2026. USNO publishes times in Universal Time rounded to the minute; we converted them to Central Time (CST/CDT) and cross-checked each one against an independent astronomical calculation (agreement within one minute). Full moon names are traditional folklore.