Quick Reference Cold Moon 2026: Wednesday, December 23, 2026, 8:28 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (peak) UTC peak: Thursday, December 24, 2026, 01:28 UTC Moon sign at peak: Cancer Sun sign at peak: Capricorn Best viewing: Tuesday night, December 22, into Christmas Eve, December 24 Why “Cold”: the name marks the deepest cold of the Northern

Quick Reference Cold Moon 2026: Thursday, December 24, 2026 (Christmas Eve) Peak illumination: 12:43 a.m. Eastern Time (05:43 UTC) Best viewing: Wednesday night, December 23, into the small hours of Thursday, December 24 Naming rule: the first full Moon of December, the last full Moon of the calendar year Why “Cold”: marks the deepest cold

Want to pick a Christmas tree that will radiate joy through the holiday season? Buy a local tree, choose a type that suits your needs (whether it is soft needles for young kids or sturdy branches for heavy ornaments), and make sure it’s fresh! We explain all the details and offer great suggestions, even one

Mistletoe. Eggnog. Fruitcake. The smell of fresh pine … These are quintessential Christmas traditions that the holidays simply wouldn’t feel as festive without! And when it comes to Christmas Day weather, a snowy “White Christmas” tops the list! Whether or not you’ll awaken to an official White Christmas (one inch or more of snow on

Writers and illustrators in the 19th century brightened the magic of Christmas and influenced our perceptions of this special holiday. Read on to learn about the creativity that went into the lovable Santa Claus figure and the “merry” tradition that we know so well today! “The Night Before Christmas” Origins In 1822, the Reverend Clement

Is there a Christmas pickle on your tree this year? Learn the interesting origins of this unique holiday tradition.

These Christmas legends from around the world are so sinister, you'll want to be good, for goodness' sake!

Partridges, geese, hens, and more... Here is a closer look at the many wild birds given as gifts in the popular Christmas carol.

Not necessarily a Christmas Star, but more of a “Holiday Ornament” will appear exactly three weeks before Christmas 2024. On the evening of December 4, just after sunset, look low in the southwest sky to see Venus hovering above a slender crescent Moon. Read on to learn about Christmas stars from previous years, especially a rare event in