Wolf Moon Supermoon Lights Up UK Skies This Weekend: A Celestial Start to 2026

A Rare Lunar Spectacle Begins the Year

Sky watchers across the United Kingdom are in for a spectacular treat this weekend as the wolf moon, the first full moon of the year, will ring in 2026, gracing the sky this weekend. January’s Full Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 5:03 A.M. EST, offering stargazers an extraordinary opportunity to witness one of the year’s most impressive lunar events.

What makes this full moon particularly special is its supermoon status. January’s wolf moon will also be 2026’s first supermoon, which generally indicates a full moon that’s closer than normal to Earth and seems larger and brighter in the sky. When this occurs, the moon can appear up to 14% larger and shine 30% brighter than a typical full moon, creating a stunning visual display for observers.

Triple Brightness Boost Makes This Event Unique

The full Wolf Supermoon of 3 January 2026 is going to put in one of the brightest appearances of which our Moon is capable, and it’s all down to an extraordinary set of serendipitous circumstances. Beyond the supermoon effect, this wolf moon benefits from Earth’s perihelion—our planet’s closest approach to the Sun—which can increase the amount of solar energy reaching our planet and its Moon, giving the full Moon another brightness boost of about 6.5 percent.

Adding to the spectacle, the best thing about the January 2026 Wolf Moon is its close approach to Jupiter. Take time to observe how this January full Moon dances with the bright planet Jupiter over the course of the weekend. Jupiter will be particularly brilliant as it approaches opposition on 10 January, making it an ideal companion to the bright lunar display.

How to View the Wolf Moon Supermoon

Each night, 2–4 January, the Wolf Moon is visible in the eastern sky as the sky grows dark, climbing higher and tracking towards the south as midnight approaches. For the most dramatic viewing experience, observers should look toward the eastern horizon at sunset on Friday, Jan. 2, or Sunday, Jan. 4.

It will be one of the highest full Moons you’ll see all year, because it’s a winter full Moon. As we know, the Sun is lower in winter, and because the full Moon is mirroring the Sun’s position in the sky, that makes the Moon higher in winter. This makes it particularly accessible for urban dwellers, as the moon will tower above buildings and remain visible even through light pollution.

The Last Supermoon Until Autumn

Don’t miss this celestial event, as it’s also the last full supermoon we’re going to see until 24 November 2026. The wintry orb will be one of the three closest moons to Earth this year, with the cold moon in December expected to be the closest, providing a brilliant bookend to 2026’s lunar calendar.

The name ‘wolf moon’ derives from ancient traditions. It’s thought that January’s Full Moon came to be known as the Wolf Moon because wolves were more likely to be heard howling at this time. This weekend’s spectacular display offers UK residents a perfect opportunity to start the new year by reconnecting with the night sky and witnessing one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena.