5 Facts About the December 2023 New Moon

Get ready to mark your calendars because the December 2023 New Moon is just around the corner! Scheduled for Tuesday, December 12th at 6:32 PM EST, this will be the twelfth and final new moon of the year. While the moon itself may not be visible, it holds a special significance as the start of the December Full Moon cycle. With nicknames like the New Cold Moon and the New Long Nights Moon, this new moon is closely aligned with the start of winter and the shortest day of the year. In this article, we’ll explore more fascinating facts about the December 2023 New Moon, including its standing within the autumn season and when the full moon will make its appearance. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the enchanting world of lunar cycles!

What is the name of the December 2023 New Moon?

One name for the December 2023 New Moon is the New Cold Moon. It’s a name that doesn’t come as a surprise and one you may have guessed. The New Cold Moon is a fitting name for a moon given how the temperatures get colder with the official start of Winter. Another nickname for the December New Moon is the New Long Nights Moon, another equally fitting given December has the shortest day of the year. And a final nickname for the new moon is the Oak Moon. Depending on the year, the December new moon’s name switches based on which lunar cycle it starts. The December 12th new moon was the start of the December Full Moon in 2023. In other years, the new moon in December may be the start of the January Full Moon Lunar Cycle of the next year.

Which season includes the December New Moon?

In 2023, the December New Moon will be the last new moon of the Autumn 2023 season. It will be the last new moon before the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice marks the beginning of astronomical winter and the end of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2023, the Winter Solstice will be Thursday December 21, 2023, 10:28 PM EST or December 22, 2023, 3:28 AM UTC. Depending on the year, the December New Moon can occur either at the end of Autumn or just after the start of Winter, depending on the timing of the Winter Solstice. In 2023, the New Cold Moon is part of the Autumn season.

When is the full moon for the 2023 New Cold Moon?

The full moon for the New Cold Moon will be in December 2023. The Full Cold Moon will be on Tuesday December 26, 2023, 7:33 PM EST or December 27, 2023, 12:33 AM UTC, and will be the full moon in Cancer. Also interesting to note, in 2023, this will be one of the few new moon-full moon cycles that will be in the same month. But in this month, the new moon and full moon will be in different seasons.

December 2023 Moon Phases in Eastern Time and UTC

Below are the lunar phases for December 2023 including the new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter that are on the schedule for each month. The date and times are based on both the United States Eastern Time Zone and UTC, adjusted for daylight saving time.

December Last Quarter: December 5, 2023, 12:49 AM EST or December 5, 2023, 5:49 AM UTC
December New Moon: December 12, 2023, 6:32 PM EST or December 12, 2023, 11:32 PM UTC
December First Quarter: December 19, 2023, 1:39 PM EST or December 19, 2023, 6:39 PM UTC
December Full Moon: December 26, 2023, 7:33 PM EST or December 27, 2023, 12:33 AM UTC

Future December New Moons

Wondering when in the future the new moons will occur in December beyond December 2023 new moon? Here’s a list through 2029:

2023: Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 6:32 PM EST
2024: Sunday, December 1, 2024, 1:21 AM EST
2024: Monday, December 30, 2024, 5:27 PM EST
2025: Friday, December 19, 2025, 8:43 PM EST
2026: Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 7:52 PM EST
2027: Monday, December 27, 2027, 3:12 PM EST
2028: Friday, December 15, 2028, 9:06 PM EST
2029: Wednesday, December 5, 2029, 9:52 AM EST

Past December New Moons

And what about the past? Here is when the new moon occurred in the past for December:

2022: Friday, December 23, 2022, 5:17 AM EST
2021: Saturday, December 4, 2021, 2:43 AM EST
2020: Monday, December 14, 2020, 11:17 AM EST
2019: Thursday, December 26, 2019, 12:13 AM EST
2018: Friday, December 7, 2018, 2:20 AM EST
2017: Monday, December 18, 2017, 1:31 AM EST
2016: Thursday, December 29, 2016, 1:53 AM EST
2015: Friday, December 11, 2015, 5:29 AM EST

Frequently Asked Questions

Have additional questions about the December New Moons? Here are a few of the frequently asked questions to help you.

When was the December 2022 new moon?

The December 2022 New Moon will be on Friday, December 23, 2022, 5:17 AM EST or 10:17 AM UTC. This will be the first new moon of the Winter 2022-2023 season as the December 2022 new moon will occur after the Winter Solstice.

When was the December 2021 new moon?

The December 2021 New Moon was on Saturday, December 4, 2021, 2:43 AM EST or 7:43 AM UTC. This was the last new moon of the Fall 2021 season as the December new moon occurred before the Winter Solstice.

When was the December 2020 new moon?

The December 2020 New Moon was on Monday, December 14, 2020, 11:17 AM EST or 4:17 PM UTC. It was the last new moon of the Autumn 2020 season because the December 2020 new moon occurred before the Winter Solstice in 2020.

Additional Content

For more information and insights about the moon, make sure to check out our Full Moonology blog. We cover various topics related to the full moon and provide interesting facts and stories. You can also follow us on social media for regular updates and moon-related content.

Remember to mark your calendars for the next December 2023 New Moon, and enjoy observing the moon’s phases and its connection to the natural world around us. Happy moon-gazing!