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Now that we’re firmly into November, we’re all eagerly counting the minutes until the dazzling holiday lights ignite across Dallas. But before Holiday at the Arboretum and the Dallas Zoo get their seasonal sparkle, Mother Nature is about to deliver a celestial spectacle right over the Big D: the Beaver Supermoon!
Set to make its brightest appearance this week, this isn’t just any Full Moon. It’s the closest supermoon of 2025 and the second-to-last we’ll see this year!
Photo via Shutterstock What makes the Beaver Moon a Supermoon?
The Beaver Moon is the traditional name for the November Full Moon, dating back to the Native American tribes and early settlers in North America. It marked the crucial time to set beaver traps before the waterways froze completely, securing essential winter pelts and food stores. It’s a reminder of preparation before the deep cold sets in.
Other cultures have alternative names for the Beaver Moon, “Frost Moon” by Assiniboine and Cree, the “Freezing Moon” by the Anishinaabe, and “Deer Rutting Moon” by the Dakota and Lakota.
“Supermoon” is a non-scientific term that refers to a perigean Full Moon, meaning the Full Moon occurs when the Moon is at the closest point of its elliptical orbit to Earth. Of the supermoons in 2025, this will be the closest one to Earth, orbiting at just 221,817 miles away. This proximity makes it appear noticeably brighter and slightly larger than a typical Full Moon.
Image via Shutterstock When and where to see the supermoon in Dallas
You don’t need to drive far; the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is under the viewing zone!
The Supermoon will technically reach peak illumination at 7:19 AM CST on Wednesday, November 5th. However, since the moon will be setting at that time, your best views will be during the evenings of Tuesday, November 4, and Wednesday, November 5, as the moon rises in the east.
The key to seeing the Supermoon at its most dramatic is minimizing light pollution. For the best, clearest view, drive outside the immediate city glow. If you’re staying in town, seek out elevated spots or parks with open horizons. We recommend White Rock Lake, a favorite spot for an unobstructed eastern view; Reverchon Park, which offers open skies away from the intense downtown glare; or a rooftop or parking garage: Any high, unblocked vantage point works wonders, especially as the moon is rising.
Don’t miss the biggest celestial show of the year! The final one, the Cold Moon supermoon, will be here on December 4, 2025.