Holy Nights 2026 to 2027

12 Holy Nights 2026 Calendar: The Moon Each Night

The 12 Holy Nights of 2026 begin in the night of December 24 into 25 and end in the night of January 5 into 6, 2027. The Moon is waning gibbous in Cancer as they begin and wanes through all twelve.

The sky around the Holy Nights 2026

The winter solstice falls on December 21, when the Sun enters Capricorn. In parts of Bavaria the Holy Nights season traditionally began then, on St. Thomas's Day. December's Full Moon, the Cold Moon, follows on December 23 in Cancer. From the first Holy Night on, the Moon wanes night by night, and the New Moon on January 7 in Capricorn opens the next cycle after the season has closed.

A waning Moon is traditionally read as a time to let go, clear out and rest, which matches the spirit of the Holy Nights. Below is every Holy Night with the month it stands for, the Moon's sign and phase at the midnight it begins, and one question to write about.

Night by night

Night 1: January

Friday, December 25, 2026, from midnight after Christmas Eve · Moon in Cancer, waning gibbous, 98% lit

A tender night, good for home, family and old memories.

Question for the night: What do you want to begin with a clean slate in January?

Night 2: February

Saturday, December 26, 2026 · Moon in Leo, waning gibbous, 93% lit

A warm night, good for joy and wishes that let you shine.

Question for the night: Who do you want to spend more time with in February?

Night 3: March

Sunday, December 27, 2026 · Moon in Leo, waning gibbous, 86% lit

The Moon stays in Leo, so the mood of the night before carries on.

Question for the night: What would you like to learn or try for the first time in March?

Night 4: April

Monday, December 28, 2026 · Moon in Virgo, waning gibbous, 77% lit

A tidy night, good for clearing out and small practical plans.

Question for the night: What feels ready to grow in April, and what does it need from you?

Night 5: May

Tuesday, December 29, 2026 · Moon in Virgo, waning gibbous, 67% lit

The Moon stays in Virgo, so the mood of the night before carries on.

Question for the night: Where do you want more lightness and fun in May?

Night 6: June

Wednesday, December 30, 2026 · Moon in Libra, last quarter, 56% lit

A gentle night, good for thinking about the people close to you.

Question for the night: What do you want to celebrate in June, even if it is small?

Night 7: July

Thursday, December 31, 2026 · Moon in Libra, last quarter, 46% lit

The Moon stays in Libra, so the mood of the night before carries on.

Question for the night: Where would you like to rest or travel in July?

Night 8: August

Friday, January 1, 2027 · Moon in Libra, waning crescent, 36% lit

The Moon stays in Libra, so the mood of the night before carries on.

Question for the night: What would make you proud of yourself in August?

Night 9: September

Saturday, January 2, 2027 · Moon in Scorpio, waning crescent, 27% lit

A deep night, good for letting go of what you carry.

Question for the night: What habit could make your September days easier?

Night 10: October

Sunday, January 3, 2027 · Moon in Scorpio, waning crescent, 18% lit

The Moon stays in Scorpio, so the mood of the night before carries on.

Question for the night: What can you let go of before October?

Night 11: November

Monday, January 4, 2027 · Moon in Sagittarius, waning crescent, 12% lit

An open night, good for big hopes and travel dreams.

Question for the night: What are you grateful for already, looking ahead to November?

Night 12: December

Tuesday, January 5, 2027, until midnight before Epiphany · Moon in Sagittarius, waning crescent, 6% lit

The Moon stays in Sagittarius, so the mood of the night before carries on.

Question for the night: How do you want to feel when you look back on the year in December?

How to use this calendar

Keep a notebook by your bed. Each Holy Night lasts one whole day, from midnight to midnight. In the morning, write the date, the month it stands for and a few lines: your dream if you remember it, your mood, and your answer to the question. If you also keep the 13 wishes ritual, burn one wish on each of these twelve days, in the evening or the night.

New to the custom? Our guide to the 12 Holy Nights explains where it comes from and how the nights are counted. For the year itself: horoscope 2027, numerology 2027 and the full moon calendar 2027.

Moon positions computed from Nymelia's own ephemeris at midnight US Eastern time. The Holy Nights are a folk custom; we describe it for entertainment and self-reflection.

See every page of the journal

Questions

Frequently asked questions

When are the 12 Holy Nights in 2026?

From the night of December 24 into 25, 2026, to the night of January 5 into 6, 2027. Each day from December 25 to January 5 counts as one Holy Night, and Epiphany, January 6, closes the season.

What is the Moon doing during the Holy Nights 2026?

The Full Moon falls on December 23 in Cancer, just before the first night. The Moon then wanes from 98% to 6% lit, through Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius. The next New Moon follows on January 7.

Which month does each Holy Night stand for?

Night 1 stands for January, night 2 for February and so on, until night 12 stands for December.

Is a waning Moon good for the Holy Nights?

In astrological tradition a waning Moon suits letting go, clearing out and rest. That fits the old idea of the Holy Nights as a quiet time between the years.