Full Moon 2026: dates of all 13 full moons

In 2026 there will be 13 full moons —one more than usual, because May has two— including 3 supermoons, 1 blue moon and 2 that coincide with an eclipse. Here are all the dates and their names.

Want to know the current phase? Check what phase the Moon is in today.

✦ 2026 full moon calendar

✦ Why does each full moon have a name?

The names come from Native American peoples and European folklore, who named each full moon after what was happening in nature at that time of year. The Strawberry Moon marked the harvest of that fruit; the Wolf Moon, the howls of winter; the Harvest Moon, the autumn gathering. They are not scientific terms, but they have become popular worldwide.

✦ The 3 supermoons of 2026

A supermoon happens when the full moon coincides with perigee, the closest point of its orbit to Earth. It looks slightly bigger and up to 30% brighter. In 2026 there are three: January 3, November 24 and December 24. The two at year's end, with clean winter air, are the best for viewing and photographing.

✦ The 2 full moons with an eclipse

A lunar eclipse can only happen at full moon, when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon. In 2026 there are two:

On March 3, a total eclipse visible from the Americas: the Moon will turn a coppery red (the famous "blood moon") for about an hour. On August 28, a partial eclipse will cover about 96% of the lunar disk.

✦ How to see and photograph the full moon

The full moon is the brightest but, oddly, not the best for seeing craters: lit head-on, the shadows flatten and detail is lost. For detail, observe during the quarters. To photograph it, use a tripod, lower the exposure (it is far brighter than it looks) and, if you can, a telephoto lens or a telescope with a phone adapter. Plan with the moon phase tool and the 2026 moon calendar.

✦ Frequently asked questions