What Makes The Beaver Supermoon A Must-See Event?

Illinois is about to get one of the most dazzling sky shows of the year… the November Beaver Supermoon, the biggest and brightest full moon of 2025. This lunar spotlight will rise on Wednesday, November 5, reaching peak illumination early that morning but shining impressively for several nights. And yes, we get bonus sky magic: meteor showers happening at the same time.

When to See Illinois’ November Beaver Supermoon

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The moon will rise low on the horizon, glowing more orange as it lifts into the fall sky; that color change is just an atmospheric illusion, but it’s gorgeous every time. Look east around moonrise on November 4, 5, and 6 for the best views. Peak illumination is expected on Wednesday, November 5, at 7:19 am Central time.

Where to Watch in Illinois

Illinois has some prime stargazing locations to take in this supermoon:

Starved Rock State Park (Oglesby) – dramatic bluffs and dark skies
Shawnee National Forest (Southern Illinois) – stunning rural views
Rock Cut State Park (Rockford) – wide-open sky reflections over the lake
Adler Planetarium Lakefront (Chicago) – iconic skyline/moonrise pairing
Matthiessen State Park – fewer crowds, darker skies than nearby Starved Rock

Find a wide, dark area away from bright city lights and give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust.

Meteor Showers to Watch, Too

This supermoon coincides with the peak of the Southern Taurids on November 4–5, followed by the Northern Taurids on November 11–12. Then the popular Leonids arrive mid-month, peaking November 17–18.

Why It’s Called the Beaver Moon

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Native American and early colonial traditions named this moon for the time when beavers prepare their shelters before winter, and historically, when trappers set lines before freeze-up.

I’ll be sharing a photo when the moon rises. Tag me in your Illinois supermoon pics!