Chicago, Illinois – The first weekend of the New Year brings a rare and eye-catching celestial event across Illinois as the Wolf Moon rises as a supermoon, giving residents their final chance to see a full moon this large and bright until the end of 2026. With crisp winter air and wide-open horizons across the Prairie State, viewing conditions could be especially favorable if clouds stay away.
According to astronomical timing, the Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination early Saturday morning around 4 a.m. CST, but the most visually striking moment arrives later that day. In the Chicago area and across northern Illinois, sunset occurs shortly after 4:30 p.m., with moonrise following soon after during early twilight. That timing places the moon’s appearance in the blue-hour window, when it looks oversized and richly colored as it lifts above the eastern horizon.
This full moon qualifies as a supermoon because it occurs near perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth. During this event, the moon can appear up to 14 percent larger and roughly 30 percent brighter than a typical full moon. Observers in Rockford, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Peoria, Springfield, and Champaign should see the moon rise Saturday evening and climb high across the night sky, remaining visible for hours.
The Wolf Moon takes its name from winter folklore tied to the howling of wolves during the coldest weeks of the year. January’s full moon also hangs higher in the sky than any other full moon of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, giving Illinois a longer viewing window compared to later months.
For the best view, skywatchers should face east at moonrise from an open lakeshore along Lake Michigan, a park, farmland, or an elevated overlook with a clear horizon. While the moon will appear full throughout the night, Saturday evening delivers the most dramatic contrast and photo-worthy moments. After this weekend, another supermoon will not return until late 2026, making this a standout way to begin the New Year across Illinois.
