Full moon
The next full moon is Friday, 28 August 2026 at 04:19 UTC. All upcoming full moons with exact times, names and signs.
in 21 days
The next 12
| Fri, 28 August 2026 | Sturgeon Moon | |
| Sat, 26 September 2026 | Corn Moon | |
| Mon, 26 October 2026 | Hunter's Moon | |
| Tue, 24 November 2026 | Beaver Moon | |
| Thu, 24 December 2026 | Cold Moon | |
| Fri, 22 January 2027 | Wolf Moon | |
| Sat, 20 February 2027 | Snow Moon | |
| Mon, 22 March 2027 | Worm Moon | |
| Tue, 20 April 2027 | Pink Moon | |
| Thu, 20 May 2027 | Flower Moon | |
| Sat, 19 June 2027 | Strawberry Moon | |
| Sun, 18 July 2027 | Buck Moon |
What is a full moon?
A full moon is the moment Earth stands between the sun and the moon, so the entire face we see is lit at once. It happens every 29.5 days — the synodic month — which gives most years 12 full moons and some years 13.
A full moon rises around sunset, stays up all night and sets around sunrise — the only phase that does. That's also why it dominates the night so completely: no other phase delivers more light, for longer, at friendlier hours.
Each month's full moon carries a traditional name — Wolf Moon in January, Harvest Moon near the autumn equinox — inherited from Native American and European seasonal calendars. Follow the name links in the table above to read the story behind each one.
The full moon also changes character with the seasons: winter full moons ride high across the sky and stay up longest, while June's hangs low and amber near the horizon. Around the autumn equinox, the moon rises only shortly after sunset for several nights running — the Harvest Moon effect that once let farmers work their fields late.
When is the next full moon?
Friday, 28 August 2026 at 04:19 UTC.
How often is there a full moon?
Every 29.5 days on average. Most years have 12; some fit 13, which is when a "blue moon" — a second full moon in a single calendar month — occurs.
Why does the full moon rise at sunset?
A full moon sits directly opposite the sun, so as the sun sets in the west the full moon rises in the east — and it stays up until the sun returns.
Does the full moon affect sleep?
Small controlled studies (Basel, 2013) found roughly 20 minutes less sleep and reduced deep sleep around full moon; larger studies are mixed. Any effect is minutes, not hours.