Next Full Moon 2026: Here's how to see May's Flower Moon and how it got its name - exact date and time
Want to see the fifth full moon of 2026? We have all the details you need.
It's a sight that has inspired myths, superstitions and awe through the centuries - when the night sky is lit up by the seemingly-perfect glowing sphere of a full moon.
We experience one full moon every month (and occasionally a 13th - the so-called Blue Moon), with each one given a different evocative name.
Here's how to see the next one of 2026 - the blossoming Flower Moon.
What is a full moon?
A full moon is when moon appears as a complete circle in the sky. The moon produces no light of its own, so this only happens when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun - meaning the whole of the near side of the moon is fully lit up.
When is the Flower Moon in 2026?
The next full moon or ‘Flower Moon’ will reach its peak on Friday, May 1, at 6.25pm. This time only applies to the UK however as when the full moon rises and sets depends on where you are on the planet. Don’t worry that it’ll be light when it reaches its peak (or if there’s a bit of cloud) - it’ll still appear full over the entire night.
What is it called a Flower Moon?
The Flower Moon was so-called by Native Americans due to May being the time when flowers started to bloom in the warmer weather. For a similar reason, the May full moon is also known as the Budding Moon and the Seed Moon.
Why do full moons have different names?
Full moon names are often attributed to Native American tribes that would give full moons nicknames to keep track of them as they didn’t record time using months found in the Julian or Gregorian calendar. Most of the names were linked to a specific event, for example the Worm Moon relates to a time of year when the ground starts to thaw and worms are able to wriggle up to the surface.
Other moons like the blood moon were thought to be caused by Jaguars who attacked the moon and left it bleeding hence the red colour. These lunar systems and their names differed between tribes but it seems Colonial Americans adopted some of these names and incorporated them into their own calendar systems.
When are the other full moons of 2026?
Here’s a full list of the other full moons still to come in 2026 - and their names:
May 31 - ‘Blue Moon’
June 30 - ‘Strawberry Moon’
July 29 - ‘Buck Moon’
August 28 - ‘Sturgeon Moon’
September 26 - ‘Harvest Moon’
October 26 - ‘Hunter’s Moon’
November 24 - ‘Beaver Moon’
December 24 - ‘Cold Moon’
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.