Calling all lunar lovers. The first full moon of the year is lighting up the sky above Sydney in the next 24 hours, and we've got the lowdown. Here at Time Out Sydney, we’re the experts on what’s happening on the ground, including everything to see and do in and around the city, and where to eat and drink. But, we’re also clued-in as to what’s happening upstairs in that dark, mystical sky of ours. Mark your celestial calendars with these magical full moon dates – with the first full moon of 2025 coming up in a matter of hours.
What does a full moon mean?
The full moon is an astronomical event wherein the full face of the moon is visible from Earth. This monthly event happens when the moon and sun are aligned on opposite sides of Earth, meaning that 100 per cent of the moon’s face is illuminated by the sun, making it appear extra big and luminescent in the sky.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon is taking place tomorrow: Tuesday, January 14. This full moon will technically reach its peak at 9.24am Sydney time, meaning it will likely be pretty darn huge on both Monday and Tuesday nights.
Here are all of the full moons in 2025 (according to timeanddate):
- January 14, 9.24am, Wolf Moon
- February 13, 12:53am, Snow Moon
- March 14, 5:54pm, Worm Moon
- April 13, 10.22am, Pink Moon
- May 13, 2.55am, Flower Moon
- June 11, 5:43 pm, Strawberry Moon
- July 11, 6:36 am, Buck Moon
- August 9, 5:55 pm, Sturgeon Moon
- September 8, 4:08 am, Harvest Moon
- October 7, 2:47 pm, Hunter’s Moon
- November 6, 12:19 am, Beaver Moon
- December 5, 10:14 am, Cold Moon
For anyone outside of Sydney, make sure to check the exact moonrise and moonset for your specific location.
Why do all of the full moons have different names?
Each of the 12 full moons has its own special name, which was created by Native American tribes to keep track of the seasons. These poetic names were based on the behaviour of the plants, animals or weather patterns during that particular month.
What does the Wolf Moon mean?
The traditional name for the January Full Moon is the Wolf Moon: named for the wolves that howl with hunger in the cold winter month of January (can’t relate). According to timeanddate, the name has Celtic and Old English origin, and was brought to North America by European settlers.
Other names for the first full moon of the year include the Stay Home Moon, the Quiet Moon, the Severe Moon, the Centre Moon and the Moon After Yule (referring to the first moon after the winter solstice).
What is the significance of the January full moon?
This coming full moon will be a full moon in Cancer, the sign of comfort and self-care. According to foreverconscious.com, this full moon is likely to bring “a rolling wave of emotions that may have us feeling tense, erratic, and unsupported”.
Strap in.
What is a supermoon and when is the next supermoon in Sydney?
A full moon gets upgraded to supermoon status when it’s at the closest point to Earth during its orbit – making it appear bigger in the sky. There will be three consecutive supermoons in 2025: October 7, November 5 and December 4, so we’ll have to wait a while for the next one.
How to see the full moon in Sydney?
You won’t need a telescope to take in the full grandeur of the full moon. So long as there are clear skies, you should easily be able to see it with the naked eye by simply looking up. If you want to see it in more detail, you can also use a telescope or binoculars.
When it comes to fully appreciating the full moon, the darker the area you're in, the better. You can find our top spots in this handy guide to the best stargazing spots near Sydney.
If you're hoping to capture these moon memories forever, then you'll want to check out these top tips from professional photographer Sean Scott. Just make sure to take all the magic in IRL too.
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