Top astronomy events for December 2025
From the best meteor shower of the year, the Geminids, to the changing seasons on the solstice, here are the top astronomy events for December 2025 calendar.
December brings 2025 to a close, and the holiday season is in full swing.
The month is filled with holidays, celebrations, festivals, and more, including the winter solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, and more.
Christmas, Dec. 25, is also a federal holiday, so banks, government offices, and the U.S. stock market will be closed in observance.
Are there any federal holidays in December?
Yes. There is one federal holiday in December:
- Christmas Day – Thursday, Dec. 25
In total, 2025 has 11 federal holidays, according to the Office of Personnel Management. The next and first federal holiday of 2026 will be New Year’s Day on Thursday, Jan. 1.
When is Christmas 2025?
Christmas Day falls on Dec. 25. In 2025, Christmas will fall on a Thursday.
When is the full moon in December 2025, and other celestial events?
December’s Super Moon/Cold Moon will peak on Thursday, Dec. 4, according to Date and Time. The moon will be a new moon on Saturday, Dec. 20, followed by the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice on Sunday, Dec. 21.
The following meteor showers will also peak in the month, according to the American Meteor Shower:
- Geminids – Peaks from Saturday, Dec. 13, to Sunday, Dec. 14.
- Ursids – Peaks from Sunday, Dec. 21, to Monday, Dec. 22.
The Quadrantids meteor shower is also set to begin on Sunday, Dec. 28, but won’t peak until Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.
What religious holidays are in December?
The following are some of the holidays and traditional celebrations throughout December, according to Diversity Resources:
- St. Nicholas Day – Saturday, Dec. 6
- Bodhi Day – Monday, Dec. 8
- Hanukkah – Begins on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 14 and ends on Monday, Dec. 22
- Yule – Sunday, Dec. 21, and ends on Monday, Dec. 22
- Kwanzaa – Begins on Friday, Dec. 26 and ends on Thursday, Jan. 1
