Full Moons of 2026: Dates, Supermoons, a Blue Moon and Two Lunar Eclipses

2026 is an above-average year for moonwatchers: there are 13 full moons, three supermoons, a Blue Moon and two lunar eclipses — including one total eclipse that will be the last total lunar eclipse until New Year's Eve 2028. Below are the dates, peak times and notable events for each full moon in 2026, along with simple explanations of supermoons, micromoons and how to catch these sights.

Full Moon Dates and Peak Times (2026)

All times are given in UTC and U.S. Eastern time (EST or EDT as noted). Times and names are based on timeanddate.com.

See a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026. | Credit: Getty Images

• Saturday, Jan. 3 — Wolf Moon (10:02 UTC / 5:02 a.m. EST) — Supermoon
• Sunday, Feb. 1 — Snow Moon (22:09 UTC / 5:09 p.m. EST)
• Tuesday, March 3 — Worm Moon (11:37 UTC / 6:37 a.m. EST) — Total Lunar Eclipse
• Wednesday, April 1 — Pink Moon (02:11 UTC on April 2 / 10:11 p.m. EDT on April 1)
• Friday, May 1 — Flower Moon (17:23 UTC / 1:23 p.m. EDT)
• Sunday, May 31 — Blue Moon (08:45 UTC / 4:45 a.m. EDT)
• Monday, June 29 — Strawberry Moon (23:56 UTC / 7:56 p.m. EDT) — Micromoon
• Wednesday, July 29 — Buck Moon (14:35 UTC / 10:35 a.m. EDT)
• Friday, Aug. 28 — Sturgeon Moon (04:18 UTC / 12:18 a.m. EDT) — Partial Lunar Eclipse
• Saturday, Sept. 26 — Harvest Moon (16:49 UTC / 12:49 p.m. EDT)
• Monday, Oct. 26 — Hunter's Moon (04:11 UTC / 12:11 a.m. EDT)
• Tuesday, Nov. 24 — Beaver Moon (14:53 UTC / 9:53 a.m. EST) — Supermoon
• Wednesday, Dec. 23 — Cold Moon (01:28 UTC on Dec. 24 / 8:28 p.m. EST on Dec. 23) — Supermoon

Lunar Eclipses in 2026

Two lunar eclipses occur in 2026, one total and one deep partial:

• Total lunar eclipse (March 2–3): The Worm Moon will pass through Earth's inner umbral shadow, producing a "blood moon" effect. Totality lasts about 58 minutes, roughly from 6:04 to 7:02 a.m. EST on March 3. Best viewing will be from western North America and across the Asia–Pacific region.
• Partial lunar eclipse (Aug. 27–28): About 96% of the Sturgeon Moon will enter Earth's umbra, possibly taking on a reddish hue near maximum at about 12:12 a.m. EDT on Aug. 28. This event will be well placed for viewers in the Americas, Europe and Africa.

What Are Supermoons and Micromoons?

Supermoons occur when a full moon happens near perigee, the moon's closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making the lunar disk appear slightly larger and brighter. Micromoons occur when a full moon coincides with apogee, the moon's farthest orbital point, making it appear a little smaller.

This NASA diagram shows the eight lunar phases. | Credit: NASA/Bill Dunford

Why Some Full Moons Have Names

Traditional North American names — like Wolf, Snow, Strawberry and Harvest — come from Native American and colonial-era naming conventions tied to seasonal events. These names are informal but useful for remembering which full moon occurs when.

Quick Overview Of Moon Phases

A single lunar (synodic) cycle lasts about 29.5 days and is commonly divided into eight phases: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter and waning crescent. A new moon, when the moon lies roughly between Earth and the Sun, is the only phase when a solar eclipse can occur. In 2026 there are two central solar eclipses: an annular eclipse on Feb. 17 and a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12.

Photography & Viewing Tips

• For moonrise shots, include foreground elements (trees, buildings, mountains) and use a telephoto or zoom lens to compress distance.
• Use a tripod and mirror lock or electronic shutter to reduce shake; shutter speeds are often fast for the full moon, but stability still helps.
• To photograph the lunar surface details, shoot during crescent and quarter phases when shadows highlight craters and mountains.
• Check weather and local moonrise times; for eclipses, verify the local visibility window and exact contact times for penumbral, partial and total phases.

With 13 full moons and multiple notable events, 2026 offers plenty of opportunities for casual observers and photographers alike to enjoy the changing face of Earth's nearest neighbor.