Full Moon Schedule 2026
January: Sat, Jan 3, Super Moon
WOLF MOON
The traditional name for the first full moon of the year, typically occurring in January, named because hungry wolf packs were believed to howl more frequently during this cold, scarce winter period. While wolves do howl to communicate, the name comes from Native American and European folklore, symbolizing winter's harshness and the wolves' vocalizations, not necessarily them howling at the moon, though the clear winter skies help the moon appear brighter.
February: Sun, Feb 1
SNOW MOON
The traditional name for the full moon that occurs in February, named for the heavy snowfall common during this month in the Northern Hemisphere. This name comes from Native American traditions, reflecting the peak winter season when snow makes hunting difficult, leading to other names like the "Hungry Moon" or "Bear Moon".
March: Tue, Mar 3, Blood Moon
WORM MOON
The traditional name for the full moon in March, named for the earthworms that emerge as the ground thaws, signaling spring's arrival, though some tribes historically linked it to beetle larvae appearing in tree bark as the soil warms. It's also known as the Lenten Moon, Crow Moon, Sap Moon, or Sugar Moon, marking the transition from winter to spring,
April: Wed, Apr 1
PINK MOON
April's full moon, named not for its color (it's usually white or yellowish) but for the early spring blooming of the wildflower "moss pink" (creeping phlox) in North America, with names also coming from Native American traditions marking spring's arrival. It's also called the Paschal Full Moon, which helps set the date for Easter.
May: Fri, May 1, Micro Moon
May: Sun, May 31, Blue Moon, Micro Moon
FLOWER MOON
The traditional name for the full moon that occurs in May, named by Native American tribes (especially Algonquin) to mark the time when spring wildflowers and other blossoms are abundant in the Northern Hemisphere, signaling peak spring growth, renewal, and planting time. Other names for this moon include the Budding Moon, Planting Moon, and Moon of the Shedding Ponies, all reflecting the season's natural changes.
June: Mon, Jun 29, Micro Moon
STRAWBERRY MOON
Name for the full moon that occurs in June, given to a full moon by early Native American tribes to mark the strawberry harvesting season. The name is traditional and doesn't refer to the moon's color, which can appear reddish or orange due to atmospheric conditions and the moon's low angle. The moon often appears reddish when close to the horizon because light passes through denser atmosphere. It's also known as the Honey Moon and the Rose Moon.
July: Wed, Jul 29
BUCK MOON
Name for the full moon that occurs in July, named because it's the time when male deer (bucks) are growing their new antlers, which are covered in soft velvet and in peak growth mode. This name comes from Native American traditions, particularly the Algonquin tribes, who used moon cycles to track nature. Other names for this moon include Thunder Moon (for summer storms) or Berry Moon (for ripe berries).
August: Thu, Aug 27
STURGEON MOON
The traditional name for the full moon in August, named by Native American tribes, especially in the Great Lakes region, because it coincided with the time when the large, prehistoric lake sturgeon were most easily caught, making them an important food source. This ancient fish, which can grow quite large, was abundant in late summer, leading to this descriptive lunar name alongside others like the Green Corn Moon or Blueberry Moon.
September: Sat, Sept 26
HARVEST MOON
Name for the full moon that occurs in September, closest to the autumnal equinox (the start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere), known for rising around sunset for several nights in a row, providing extra light that historically helped farmers extend work to gather crops before electricity. This special timing causes the moonrise to happen much closer to sunset than usual, giving the illusion of more moonlight for late-night harvesting.
October: Sun, Oct 25
HUNTER'S MOON
The name given to the full moon that occurs in October. It's named after the extra light it provided hunters in the northern hemisphere who were preparing for winter by storing game. The moon can appear larger and orange when it rises near the horizon, similar to a sunset.
November: Tue, Nov 24, Super Moon
BEAVER MOON
The traditional name for the full moon in November, named by Native American tribes and early colonists because it's when beavers are busiest building dams and stocking food for winter, and it's also peak time for trapping them for their valuable pelts. This moon can often be a supermoon, appearing larger and brighter as it's near its closest point to Earth, symbolizing preparation for winter's harshness.
December: Wed, Dec 23, Super Moon
COLD MOON
The traditional name for December's full moon, named by Native American tribes (like the Mohawk) for the frigid winter weather and the long nights around the winter solstice, also known as the "Long Night Moon" because it rises during the year's longest nights. This full moon often appears larger and brighter as it can coincide with a supermoon, occurring when the moon is closest to Earth, making it a significant event for stargazers and symbolizing deep winter's arrival.
SUPER MOON
A full moon (or new moon) that happens when the Moon is near its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, called perigee. This alignment can happen a few times a year, making it appear larger and brighter than usual, appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it's farthest away (apogee).
BLOOD MOON
The popular name for a total lunar eclipse, occurring when Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow that makes the Moon turn a deep red or coppery color. This happens because sunlight filters through Earth's atmosphere, scattering blue light and allowing red light to reach the Moon.
MICRO MOON
Happens when a full or new moon occurs at apogee, the farthest point in its elliptical orbit from Earth, making it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual, the opposite of a supermoon. While not dramatically different to the naked eye, it can be about 14% smaller and 30% dimmer compared to a super moon.
BLUE MOON
An extra full moon occurring in a season or month, happening because the lunar cycle (29.5 days) doesn't perfectly align with our calendar, resulting in a rare, extra full moon every 2-3 years, though it's usually not actually blue; the term came from a calendar mix-up but can occasionally refer to the Moon appearing bluish due to atmospheric dust/smoke.
