The final lunar phases of 2024 are just weeks away as the calendar year wraps up to start anew, and December says "ciao" with two new moons gracing the night sky -- a rare occurrence to close out the year.

The month begins with the new moon phase on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 12:21 a.m. CST, according to the 2024 lunar calendar.

Midway through the month, the moon will reach full illumination on Sunday, Dec. 15. December's full moon is traditionally called the "cold moon," according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Native Americans and early settlers described this moon as signaling the changing season and colder weather patterns. The month was traditionally known as a time to prepare for winter's stronghold. The Almanac explains that "each full moon name was traditionally applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the full moon."

Later in the month, the second new moon will occur on Monday, Dec. 30, at approximately 4:26 p.m. CST. This phase, known as a black new moon, is the name given to the rare occurrence of two new moons in the same calendar month. This phenomenon typically happens only once every two to three years.

After these final lunar phases of the year, 2025 will kick off with the Quadrantid meteor shower, expected to peak on Jan. 3, 2025, the American Meteor Society reports. This is good news for skywatchers, as the new moon phase will be just 11% illuminated during the peak time forecast for the meteor shower's activity. The low moonlight will create favorable conditions for night viewing. While the Quadrantids are less known for persistent meteor trails, they are recognized for producing bright, dramatic fireballs, the society notes.