When Is the Next Full Moon? 2026 Calendar, Names & Myths

If you’ve ever glanced up on a clear Irish night and wondered when the next full moon will light up the sky, you’re not alone. The Moon’s 29.5-day rhythm is one of the most reliable celestial patterns we have, and 2026 brings a particularly interesting year with 13 full moons, including a rare Blue Moon in May. We’ve gathered the dates, traditional names, and the best science on lunar myths so you know exactly what to expect and what to leave behind.

Next full moon (2026): 31 May 2026 (Blue Moon) ·
Total full moons in 2026: 13 ·
Next full moon name: Flower Moon (May) ·
Upcoming supermoon 2026: 3 January 2026 (Wolf Moon) ·
Full moon visibility Ireland: Rises after sunset, June 1 2026

Of the 13 full moons in 2026, two are supermoons and one is a Blue Moon – a pattern that only aligns a few times per decade.

Here are the key details at a glance:

When is the next full moon?

Next full moon date and time (Ireland)

• The next full moon is on 31 May 2026 at 09:45 UTC (Royal Museums Greenwich).
• In Ireland, that converts to 10:45 IST (UTC+1). The Moon will rise after sunset on the evening of 1 June, making it visible across the country (Calendar Yearly).
• This is the second full moon in May, which qualifies it as a Blue Moon (Sky at Night Magazine).

Full moon calendar 2026 (all 13 moons)

Thirteen full moons in one year is unusual – it happens when a calendar month hosts two full moons. Here are the dates for Ireland:

• 3 January (Wolf Moon, supermoon) – Calendar Yearly
• 1 February (Snow Moon) – Royal Museums Greenwich
• 3 March (Worm Moon)
• 1 April (Pink Moon)
• 1 May (Flower Moon)
• 31 May (Blue Moon)
• 30 June (Strawberry Moon) – Royal Museums Greenwich
• 29 July (Buck Moon) – Royal Museums Greenwich
• 27 August (Sturgeon Moon)
• 26 September (Harvest Moon) – Calendar Yearly
• 25 October (Hunter’s Moon)
• 24 November (Beaver Moon)
• 27 December (Cold Moon, supermoon) – Royal Museums Greenwich

The implication: this is a slightly richer lunar year than usual, with more full moons to observe than in a typical 12-moon cycle.

What full moon is in February? And what are the names of all full moons?

February full moon: Snow Moon

February’s full moon is called the Snow Moon, a name rooted in Native American traditions that refer to the heaviest snowfalls of the year (Royal Museums Greenwich). In 2026, it falls on 1 February.

List of traditional full moon names by month

The names we use today come from a mix of Algonquin, Colonial American, and European folklore. Each month carries a distinctive label:

• January: Wolf Moon
• February: Snow Moon
• March: Worm Moon
• April: Pink Moon
• May: Flower Moon
• June: Strawberry Moon
• July: Buck Moon
• August: Sturgeon Moon
• September: Harvest Moon
• October: Hunter’s Moon
• November: Beaver Moon
• December: Cold Moon

When a second full moon occurs in a single month – as in May 2026 – it’s called a Blue Moon (Sky at Night Magazine).

The pattern: traditional names connect lunar cycles to seasonal rhythms, especially relevant for those who track gardening, hunting, or folklore.

Why is the October full moon special?

October 2025 supermoon details

The October 2025 full moon is a supermoon, occurring on 7 October 2025. A supermoon happens when the full moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth (perigee), making it appear about 14% larger and up to 30% brighter than a typical full moon (Royal Museums Greenwich).

October 2026 full moon date and name

In 2026, October’s full moon is the Hunter’s Moon on 25 October. It’s not a supermoon but remains one of the most referenced moons in folklore, traditionally marking the time for hunting and storing meat for winter (Royal Museums Greenwich).

What this means: if you missed the 2025 supermoon, the next supermoon in 2026 is in December, not October.

Does a full moon affect behavior, physical, or mental well-being?

What science says about full moon and sleep

Multiple studies have looked at whether full moons affect sleep. Some research reports a slight reduction in sleep duration of 5–10 minutes on nights around the full moon, but the effect is inconsistent and not confirmed by all studies (Royal Museums Greenwich). No large-scale, peer-reviewed evidence shows a robust link between full moons and insomnia in the general population.

Does a full moon affect mood or mental health?

The myth that full moons cause lunacy, increased crime, or emotional instability has been tested widely. Systematic reviews find no causal relationship between the lunar phase and psychiatric admissions, violent crime, or suicide rates (Royal Museums Greenwich). Folklore associated with werewolves and lunar madness remains just that – folklore.

“There is no scientific evidence that the Moon influences human behaviour in a statistical way.”

Royal Museums Greenwich (astronomy education)

The pattern: what we attribute to the Moon often has more to do with confirmation bias and anecdotal stories than real data.

What should you avoid during a full moon?

Three things to avoid (from Grazia USA)

While scientific evidence doesn’t support behavioral changes, some cultural traditions suggest avoiding impulsive decisions, starting big arguments, or making major financial moves during a full moon (Grazia USA). These are personal recommendations, not medical advice.

• Don’t make snap decisions – full moon energy is said to amplify emotions, so wait 24 hours.
• Avoid heavy arguments – tempers may flare more easily.
• Don’t start a new project – tradition holds that full moon is a time for completion, not initiation.

Five things to do during a full moon

Many self-care routines embrace the full moon as a reflective moment. Grazia USA suggests setting intentions, resting, cleaning your space, meditating, and taking a ritual bath (Grazia USA). None of these are medically prescribed, but they can serve as mindful pauses in a busy month.

The implication: cultural practices offer structure, but scientific evidence should guide health decisions.

How to check the next full moon (easy steps for Ireland)

Finding the precise date for your location is straightforward:

1. Use a reliable calendar: The Royal Museums Greenwich publishes an annual full moon calendar with exact UTC times (Royal Museums Greenwich).
2. Adjust for Irish time: Add one hour for Irish Standard Time (IST, UTC+1) from late March to late October. Calendar Yearly provides times directly for Dublin (Calendar Yearly).
3. Check local visibility: The Moon rises about 50 minutes later each night. On the full moon day, it rises around sunset – so look east after dusk.

2026 full moon timeline

Six key milestones in Ireland’s lunar year:

“The full moon rises around sunset and is visible all night – perfect for evening walks in Ireland’s countryside.”

Timeanddate.com (moon phase calculator)

“Use the full moon as a reset – clean your space, meditate, and set clear intentions for the month ahead.”

Grazia USA (lifestyle magazine)

For Irish sky-watchers, the takeaway is practical: the Moon’s schedule is fixed, and the next show – the Flower Moon Blue Moon on 31 May 2026 – is well within sight. Whether you use it as a moment for reflection or simply enjoy the view, you now have the facts to plan ahead.

Frequently asked questions