Everyone knows and loves the sight of a full Moon rising over a distant horizon (surely?!)

But what is this magical astrological phenomenon, and how do you know when the next Full Moon is on the way…?

What is a full Moon?

A full moon occurs when the visible face of the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun’s rays, so from Earth it appears round and bright in the night sky.

Full Moons happens each month when the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, meaning its face is fully lit up and visible from Earth.

How often does a full Moon occur?

Full Moons occur roughly every 29.5 days, or a little over every every four weeks. This is how long it takes the Moon to travel through one complete lunar phase cycle, and it means there’s a little over one full Moon for almost each calendar month.

In fact, we experience 13 full moons in a calendar year.

For more detail: How Often is there a Full Moon? (and Why!)

Names and dates of all the full Moons in 2026

• January 3, 2026: Wolf Moon (supermoon)
• February 1, 2026: Snow Moon
• March 3, 2026: Worm Moon
• April 1, 2026: Pink Moon
• May 1, 2026: Flower Moon
• May 31, 2026: Blue Moon (second full moon in a calendar month)
• June 29, 2026: Strawberry Moon
• July 29, 2026: Buck Moon
• August 27, 2026: Sturgeon Moon
• September 26, 2026: Harvest Moon
• October 26th, 2026: Hunter’s Moon
• November 24, 2026: Beaver Moon (supermoon)
• December 23, 2026: Cold Moon (supermoon)

January 2026: Full Wolf Moon

The very first full Moon of the year will rise on Saturday, January 3, 2025, at 10:03 GMT / 02:03 PT / 05:03 ET

This full Moon occurs in the zodiac sign of Cancer

The January Full Moon is often known as the Wolf Moon. This name may have Celtic and Old English origins and was brought to North America by European settlers.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that the name comes from Native American Traditions, who noticed that wolves howled in hunger more frequently around this time of year, deep in the cold winter months.

The Wolf Moon is typically the first full Moon of January each year. Its timing in the night sky coincides with the peak of winter, making it an important seasonal marker. Some cultures also associated it with midwinter festivals and spiritual ceremonies during this time.

Read: Full Wolf Moon January 2025: Everything You Need to Know

… and if you like rituals, also check out: 10 Magickal Moon Rituals for January’s Full Wolf Moon

Other names for the Wolf Moon: Old Moon, Quiet Moon, Ice Moon, Severe Moon

February 2026: Full Snow Moon

The second full Moon of the year will rise on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 22:09 GMT / 14:09 PT / 17:09 ET

This full Moon occurs in the zodica sign of Leo.

The February Full Moon is often known as the Snow Moon. It’s believed to earn its name from the heavy snowfall that typically occurs in the northern hemisphere at this time.

In February, snow can accumulate rapidly and blanket the frozen ground, making for difficult travelling conditions. So the snow Moon is often a time to hunker down, draw inwards and preserve energy until Spring finally arrives.

For more, read: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the Snow Moon in 2026

Love full moon rituals? Then read: 10 Moon Magick Rituals for February’s Full Snow Moon

Other names for the Snow Moon: Storm Moon, Hunger Moon, Bear Moon

March 2026: Full Worm Moon

The third full Moon of the year will rise on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 11:38 GMT / 03:38 PT / 06:38 ET

This full Moon occurs in Virgo and will also be a total lunar eclipse (aka blood moon)

The March Full Moon is often known as the Worm Moon. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, at this time of year, the ground begins to soften enough for earthworm casts to reappear.  The Worm Moon has come to represent the signs of the seasons changing from harsh winter to the arrival of spring.

For more, read: Full Worm Moon March 2025: Spiritual Meaning, Energy + Significance

Love ritual? Try: 5 Worm Moon Rituals to Rise UP From the Darkness, Let Go & Manifest

Other names for the Worm Moon: Sugar Moon, Sap Moon (after the tapping of maples), Chaste Moon, Death Moon, Crow Moon

April 2026 Full Pink Moon

The fourth full Moon of the year will rise on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2026, at 03:12 UTC, and at 19:12 PT / 22:12 ET on Tuesday, 1st April (the previous day)

This full Moon occurs in Libra.

The April Full Moon is often known as the Pink Moon. It’s thought that the name of the pink Moon originates with some Native American tribes. It describes the dusky pink colour of the phlox wildflowers that bloom at this time of year.

Read more: Pink Moon Spiritual Meaning (April 2024) Here’s What You Need to Know!

Looking for a Pink Moon ritual? Try: 5 Pink Moon Rituals to Live From the Heart

Other names for the Pink Moon: Egg Moon, Fish Moon, Budding Moon, Seed Moon, Awakening Moon.

May 2026: Full Flower Moon

The fifth full Moon of the year will rise on Friday, May 1, 2026 (Beltane!), at 18:23 GMT / 10:23 PT / 13:23 ET

This full Moon occurs in Scorpio, and it will be what is known as a “micromoon”.

The May Full Moon is often known as the Flower Moon. It’s thought that the name derives from the fact that the May Full Moon coincides with the blooming of many wildflowers in Northern America. This is described in the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

For more, read: The Spiritual Meaning of May’s Full Flower Moon 

And be sure to try this moon ritual: A Full Flower Moon Ritual to Blossom into your Purpose

Other names for the Flower Moon: Hare Moon, Milk Moon, Mothers Moon, Bright Moon, Grass Moon

May 2026: Blue Moon?

The sixth full Moon of the year will rise on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 09:45 GMT / 01:45 PT / 04:45 ET

This full Moon occurs in Sagittarius.

Because this is the second full moon in one single calendar month, it’s often referred to as a Blue Moon. And this is likely what you’re going to be reading all over the internet this month! 

I have never bought into the hype around “Blue Moons”. Calendar time and Moon time aren’t really connected in a way which would make meaning, and the true Blue Moon phenomenon dates back thousands of years, having its origins in Vedic Astrology (and not Western Astrology).

If you want to read more about my thoughts on this, read: Debunking the Blue Moon Myth

June 2026: Full Strawberry Moon

The seventh full Moon of the year will rise on Tuesday June 30, 2026 at 00: 57 GMT and at 16:57 PT / 19:57 ET on the previous day – Monday, June 29.

This full Moon occurs in Capricorn

The June Full Moon is often known as the Strawberry Moon. It likely earned the name, as it often coincides with the peak of the strawberry harvesting season for tribes in North America.

For example, as strawberries ripen and are readily available during late spring and early summer, the Algonquin would time their annual picking and eating of wild strawberries to coincide with this full moon each year.

Read more here: Strawberry Moon Meaning, Magick, Ritual, Themes & Transformation!

And for rituals to try, check out: 5 Sweet & Juicy Rituals for June’s Full Strawberry Moon

Other names for the Strawberry Moon: Rose Moon, Red Moon, Honey Moon, Hoe Moon and Planting Moon, Mead Moon, Horse Moon, Planting Moon.

July 2026 Full Buck Moon

The eighth full Moon of the year will rise on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 15:36 GMT / 07:36 PT / 10:36 ET

This full Moon occurs in Aquarius.

The July Full Moon is often known as the Buck Moon. It’s believed the name comes from the male deer, or buck, which begins to grow its new antlers around the same time of year that this Full Moon rises.

Many Native American tribes observed deer becoming more active and visible as they searched for mates at this time.

For inspiration, read: 5 Full Buck Moon Rituals for Power, Protection, and Rewilding

Other names for the Buck Moon: Deer Moon, berry Moon, raspberry Moon, Thunder Moon, Salmon Moon, Hay Moon, Herb Moon

August 2026: Full Sturgeon Moon

The ninth full Moon of the year will rise on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 17:19 GMT / 09:19 PT / 12:19 ET

This full Moon occurs in Pisces, and will be a partial lunar eclipse.

The August Full Moon is often known as the Sturgeon Moon. It likely receives the name from certain Native American tribes along the eastern coastline and Great Lakes region, where large sturgeon fish would typically be most easily caught around this lunar phase.

As sturgeon swam closer to shore to spawn, they became easier targets for local tribes to harvest.

 I LOVE this full moon – it’s steeped in so much ancient wisdom as these creatures are virtually prehistoric. For rituals to harness this potent energy, read: 5 Full Sturgeon Moon Rituals to Harness Depth & Wisdom

Other names for the Sturgeon Moon: Grain Moon, Corn Moon, Red Moon, Lightening Moon

September 2026: Full Harvest Moon

The tenth full Moon of the year will rise on Saturday, September 26, 2025, at 05:49 GMT / 00:49 ET and at 21:49 PT on the previous evening of Friday, Sept 25.

This full Moon occurs in Aries.

The September Full Moon is often known as the Harvest Moon. This is the full Moon that falls nearest to the autumnal equinox, and is known as the “Harvest Moon” because its light allows farmers to work later into the night. Its bright light would assist with the last harvesting tasks before the arrival of fall.

For some beautiful full Harvest Moon rituals, read: 5 Full Harvest Moon Rituals to Gather in What’s Yours 

Other names for the Harvest Moon: Grain Moon, Corn Moon, Barley Moon

October 2026: Full Hunter’s Moon

The eleventh full Moon of the year will rise on Sunday, October 25, 2025, at 05:12 GMT / 00:12 ET and at 21:12 PT on the previous evening of Saturday, Oct 24.

This full Moon occurs in Taurus.

The October Full Moon is often known as the Hunter’s Moon. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name derives from its proximity to the prime early autumn deer hunting season.

The Full Moon’s bright light across an empty landscape would extend hunting hours after sunset, and aid hunters in tracking prey into the night. This would help them to stock up on game meat before the arrival of winter.

For more, read: Full Hunter’s Moon 2026: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

… And for ritual suggestions, check out: 5 Full Hunter’s Moon Rituals for Focus & Alignment

Other names for the Hunter’s Moon: Seed Fall Moon, Drying Rice Moon, Falling Leaves Moon, Freezing Moon, Blood Moon, Sanguine Moon 

November 2025: Full Beaver Moon

The twelfth and penultimate full Moon of the year will rise on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 14:54 GMT / 06:54 PT / 09:54 ET

This full Moon occurs in Gemini

The November Full Moon is often known as the Beaver Moon. The name is thought to derive from certain Native American tribes, who note this as the time of year when beavers become very active in preparation for winter.

They would furiously gather building materials and food to have their lodges repaired and stocked before ice-over, making them easier for trappers to observe and hunt during this lunar phase.

For a beautiful protection ritual, read: A Protection Ritual for the Full Beaver Moon

Other names for the Beaver Moon: Feezing Moon, Frost Moon, Mourning Moon 

December 2026: Full Cold Moon

The final full Moon of the year will rise on Thursday, December 24, 2026, at 01:24 GMT, and at  17:28 PT / 20:28 ET on the previous evening of Wednesday, December 23.

This full Moon occurs in Cancer, and it will also be a Supermoon.

The December Full Moon is often known as the Cold Moon. It’s thought the name derives from its timing, which is deep in winter when cold weather has set in for most locations.

Many Native American tribes gave it this descriptive name to signify the long nights and especially low temperatures that typically characterize December evenings.

In Celtic traditions, this Full Moon coincides roughly with the winter solstice, or Yule.

For some gorgeous moon magick, try: A Purifying Ritual for the Cold Moon

Other names for the Cold Moon: Hail Moon, Long Night Moon, Oak Moon

Make your own name for the Full Moon!

These are the traditional names fo the full Moons, but as you can see they are based on the location, geography, wildlife, weather, seasons and activities of certain people living across the world.

So why not make your own full Moon names?

Think about what the current Full Moon means to you, and what is happening in your life and locality when it rises. This is not only a fun game, but a practical way to get more intimate with Grandmother Moon, and align yourself and your life with her energy.

Save these calendars to your Pinterest boards, then share your own names in the comments. I’d love to hear what you come up with …