Detroit, Michigan – The first weekend of the New Year brings a rare and striking night-sky event across Michigan as the Wolf Moon rises as a supermoon, giving residents one final opportunity to see a full moon this large and bright until the end of 2026. With expansive horizons along the Great Lakes and crisp January air, Michigan could offer some of the most dramatic viewing conditions in the Midwest.
According to astronomical timing, the Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination early Saturday morning around 5:03 a.m. EST, but the most eye-catching viewing comes later that day. In southeast Michigan, including Detroit, sunset occurs shortly after 5:10 p.m., with moonrise following during early twilight. That timing places the moonrise in the ideal blue-hour window, when the moon appears oversized and richly colored as it lifts above the eastern horizon.
This full moon qualifies as a supermoon because it aligns closely with perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth. That proximity allows it to appear up to 14 percent larger and roughly 30 percent brighter than a typical full moon. Viewers in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, and across northern Lower Michigan should see the moon rise Saturday evening and climb high into the night sky, remaining visible for hours. In the Upper Peninsula, the moon will hang especially high, offering a long viewing window despite colder conditions.
The Wolf Moon takes its name from winter folklore associated with the howling of wolves during the coldest weeks of the year. January’s full moon also rides higher across the sky than any other full moon of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, extending visibility across Michigan well into the overnight hours.
For the best view, skywatchers should face east at moonrise from a lakeshore, open field, frozen bay, or elevated overlook with a clear horizon. While the moon will appear full all night, Saturday evening delivers the most dramatic contrast. After this weekend, another supermoon will not return until late 2026, making this a standout way to open the New Year in Michigan.
