The May Flower Moon: A Celestial Beauty
Everyone knows that April showers bring May flowers, but what about the May Flower Moon? This year, the full moon in May, known as the Flower Moon, will soon light up the night sky. The Flower Moon will reach its peak on Friday, May 1, at 1:23 p.m. ET, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. While it is peaking in the afternoon on the East Coast, it will still look bright and beautiful on Friday night and for a couple of nights after.
What is the Flower Moon?
The Flower Moon was given that name because it falls in the middle of spring, when flowers, trees, and bushes bloom throughout nature. It’s a time of renewal and growth, making this full moon a symbol of the changing seasons. Like other full moons, May’s full moon is known by multiple names given to it by different cultures throughout history. These include Frog Moon, Milk Moon, and Hare’s Moon, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
How to Watch the Flower Moon
If you’re planning to view the Flower Moon, here are some key details:
When can you see the Flower Moon?
The Flower Moon will peak on May 1 at 1:23 p.m. ET. While it peaks in the afternoon, the moon will still look full at night and for a few days after.Where will the Flower Moon be visible in the US?
The full moon will be visible around the globe, but cloudy skies might obscure backyard astronomers’ views. Be sure to check the weather in your area before going out to check the night sky. As of April 30, clouds could obscure the view over parts of the West Coast, the South, and the East Coast.
Other Names for the Flower Moon
May’s full moon is called many things, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Some of these names include:
- Corn, or Corn Planting Moon
- Milk Moon
- Hare’s Moon
- Vesak, Buddha Jayanti, or Buddha Purnima
- Mothers’ Moon
- Grass Moon
May is Once in a Blue Moon
The Flower Moon won’t be the only full moon we can expect this month. A blue moon will also take place on May 31, giving us two full moons—one on the first day of the month and another on the last day of the month.
A blue moon is not a common occurrence, hence the expression “once in a blue moon,” and only occurs every 2.5 years, according to NASA. The last blue moon occurred on August 19, 2024, when the moon was a super blue moon, meaning it was the closest it had been to Earth that month and appeared brighter and larger.
The blue moon occurring later in the month will appear smaller than usual, a phenomenon known as a micromoon. According to NASA, this occurs when the celestial body is at its farthest point from Earth, about 251,000 miles away.
List of Full Moons in 2026
Here is a list of full moons for 2026, according to the Farmer’s Almanac:
- Flower Moon: Peaks on May 1, at 1:23 p.m. ET
- Blue Moon: Peaks on May 31, at 4:45 a.m. ET. The blue moon occurs when two full moons occur in the same month. The last blue moon occurred on August 19, 2024, according to Space.com.
- Strawberry Moon: Peaks on June 29, at 7:57 p.m. ET
- Buck Moon: Peaks on July 29, at 10:36 a.m. ET
- Sturgeon Moon (partial lunar eclipse): Peaks on August 28, at 12:18 a.m. ET
- Harvest Moon: Peaks on September 26, at 12:49 p.m. ET
- Hunter’s Moon: Peaks on October 26, at 12:12 a.m. ET
- Beaver Moon (super moon): Peaks on November 24, at 9:53 a.m. ET
- Cold Moon (super moon): Peaks on December 23, at 8:28 p.m. ET
About the Author
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, space phenomena, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected].
