Stargazers will be treated with a supersized wolf moon for the first weekend of the year. Here's what to know.

The southern night sky at 8 p.m. local time on January 2, 2026 shows the Full Moon and Jupiter in the constellation Gemini, with Saturn between Pisces and Aquarius to the southwest. (Stellarium/Scott Sutherland)

As of Wednesday, Dec. 31, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 88% of the moon will be lit up tonight.

The first full moon of 2026, also known as the Wolf Moon, is a supermoon, making it appear larger and brighter in the night sky, though cloudy skies may obscure the view.

January 2026 full moon is set to usher in the new year. Here's when it rises and why it is called the "Wolf Moon".

Supermoons happen a few times a year and come in groups, taking advantage of the sweet spot in the moon’s elliptical orbit.