Wolf Moon to Light Up January: When and How to See the First Full Moon of 2025


The first full moon of the year is ready to rise, and it’s bringing a celestial show worth watching.

Known as the "wolf moon," this January full moon gets its name from the belief that wolves howled more frequently during the cold, dark winter months. Here’s everything you need to know about this lunar event, its origins, and when to catch it.

Why is it called the "wolf moon"?

The "wolf moon" nickname comes from the Old Farmer's Almanac, which notes that early European settlers in North America associated wintertime wolf howls with this time of year. Wolves are nocturnal and often more active at night, which made their vocalizations particularly noticeable during winter.

Contrary to popular belief, wolves don’t howl at the moon or because they’re hungry. Instead, their howls serve practical purposes, such as locating pack members, reinforcing social bonds, defining territory, and coordinating hunts.

When and how to see the full wolf moon

A full moon occurs when the moon is directly opposite the sun from Earth's perspective, making its surface fully illuminated by sunlight.

January’s full wolf moon will reach its peak illumination on Monday, Jan. 13, at 5:27 p.m. EST. However, it will appear extra bright and round for about three days, from Sunday evening through Wednesday morning.

To catch the best view, look to the eastern horizon around sunset as the moon begins its ascent. By midnight, the wolf moon will shine brightly overhead before setting in the western horizon at sunrise.

Bonus celestial event

As a special treat, on the night of the full moon, it will pass in front of Mars, creating an occultation visible to most of the continental United States, according to NASA. Don’t miss this rare alignment for an added dose of cosmic wonder!