Dallas, Texas – The first weekend of the New Year brings a rare and eye-catching night-sky event across Texas as the Wolf Moon rises as a supermoon, offering the last chance to see a full moon this large and bright until the end of 2026. With expansive horizons and often clear winter evenings, Texas could deliver some of the most dramatic viewing conditions in the country.
According to astronomical timing, the Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination early Saturday morning around 4:03 a.m. CST, but the most visually striking moment arrives later that day. Across North Texas, including Dallas–Fort Worth, sunset occurs shortly before 5:45 p.m., with moonrise following 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. That alignment allows the moon to appear up to 14 percent larger and roughly 30 percent brighter than an average full moon. Viewers in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Waco, Tyler, and across the Hill Country should see the moon rise Saturday evening and climb high into the night sky, remaining visible for hours. In West Texas and the Panhandle, wide-open landscapes could make the moonrise especially striking.
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 rides higher across the sky than any other full moon of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, extending visibility across Texas well into the overnight hours.
For the best view, skywatchers should face east at moonrise from an open field, ranchland, hilltop, or lakeshore 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 kick off the New Year across Texas.
