May Flower Moon 2026: Date, Time, and Meaning of the First Full Moon in May
The Full Moon in May 2026, traditionally called the Flower Moon, peaks on May 1, 2026, at 17:23 UTC/GMT (1:23 PM EDT). It will be the first of two Full Moons in May 2026, with the second one — a Blue Moon — coming on May 31. The May 1 Full Moon will shine in the constellation Libra and will also be a Micromoon, appearing slightly smaller and dimmer than an average Full Moon. Want to know exactly when the Moon rises where you are? Use the Sky Tonight app.
Contents
- May 2026 Full Flower Moon at a glance
- May 2026 Moon Dates & Times
- Best time to see the Flower Moon
- May 2026 Flower Moon: a Micromoon
- Why are there two Full Moons in May 2026?
- Is the Flower Moon in Scorpio or in Libra?
- What objects will be visible near the Flower Moon in May 2026?
- What is the Flower Moon?
- May Full Moon 2026: Frequently asked questions
- May Flower Moon 2026: Key takeaways
May 2026 Full Flower Moon at a glance
- Date: May 1, 2026
- Peak time: 17:23 UTC/GMT (1:23 PM EDT)
- Name: Flower Moon
- Meaning: named for the abundance of flowers blooming in May
- Type: Micromoon
- Constellation (astronomy): Libra
- Sign (astrology): Scorpio
- Special feature: the first of two Full Moons in May 2026
May 2026 Moon Dates & Times
Moon phases in May 2026
- Full Moon: May 1, 2026 — 17:23 UTC/GMT (1:23 PM EDT)
- Last Quarter: May 9, 2026 — 21:11 UTC/GMT (5:11 PM EDT)
- New Moon: May 16, 2026 — 20:01 UTC/GMT (4:01 PM EDT)
- First Quarter: May 23, 2026 — 11:11 UTC/GMT (7:11 AM EDT)
- Full Moon (Blue Moon): May 31, 2026 — 08:45 UTC/GMT (4:45 AM EDT)
Did you know? While the Full Moon is a stunning sight on its own, the best time to view the Moon through a telescope or binoculars is during its quarter phases! At these times, the Moon isn't overly bright, and the shadows cast across its surface reveal more detail.
Want to know the dates of all the Moon phases in May 2026 for your city? Check our Moon Phases Calendar.
When is the Full Moon in May 2026?
The first Full Moon in May 2026 occurs on Friday, May 1, at 17:23 UTC/GMT (1:23 PM EDT). The Moon will also look full on the nights around that date, so you do not need to catch the exact minute to enjoy it.
The second Full Moon will occur on Sunday, May 31, at 08:45 UTC/GMT (4:45 AM EDT), making May 2026 one of those rare months with two Full Moons.
You can see how the Moon will look in the sky on any chosen date in the Sky Tonight app: tap the calendar icon, open the Moon tab, and select any date. You will see an accurate 3D image of the Moon, which reflects the angular size and orientation of the real Moon as seen from your location.
Full Flower Moon in May 2026: Time in the UK and the USA
- UK (BST): 6:23 PM on May 1
- US ET: 1:23 PM on May 1
- US CT: 12:23 PM on May 1
- US MT: 11:23 AM on May 1
- US PT: 10:23 AM on May 1
Best time to see the Flower Moon
- In most places, the best time to see the Flower Moon is around moonrise, near local sunset.
- Moonrise is also a good time for photos, because the Moon is low on the horizon, where it can appear golden or orange and make for more dramatic compositions with foreground objects.
- The Moon will appear full on the nights around April 30, May 1, and May 2, so you have more than one good chance to observe it.
What time does the Full Flower Moon rise in May?
On the day of the Full Moon, the Moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise because it is opposite the Sun in the sky. However, the exact moonrise time depends on your location.
- New York: 8:16 PM on May 1
- Los Angeles: 8:03 PM on May 1
- London: 8:45 PM on May 1
- Beijing: 8:02 PM on May 2
- Sydney: 5:09 PM on May 2
Times vary by location and can differ even between nearby cities. For the exact moonrise time where you are, use the Sky Tonight app: search for the Moon and open the Events tab to see rise and set times for your location.
May 2026 Flower Moon: a Micromoon
The Full Moon on May 1, 2026, is a Micromoon. This means it occurs near apogee, the point where the Moon is farthest from Earth in its orbit.
Because of this, the Moon will appear about 5% smaller and 10% dimmer than an average Full Moon. The difference is subtle, but it becomes clearer when compared with a Supermoon in photos.
Interestingly, the second Full Moon in May 2026, on May 31, will also be a Micromoon — and an even more distant one. So both Full Moons this month will appear slightly smaller than usual.
Want to learn more about these two types of Full Moons? Check out our infographic on Supermoons and Micromoons.
Why are there two Full Moons in May 2026?
May 2026 has two Full Moons:
- May 1 — the Flower Moon
- May 31 — the Blue Moon
This happens because the lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, which is slightly shorter than most calendar months. When a Full Moon occurs near the beginning of a month, there is enough time for another one before the month ends.
Curious about how often Blue Moons appear? Check out our detailed article on Blue Moons.
Is the Flower Moon in Scorpio or in Libra?
Astronomically speaking, the Full Moon on May 1, 2026, will be in the constellation Libra.
From an astrological perspective, this Full Moon will be in the sign of Scorpio. Zodiac signs and zodiac constellations are not the same thing, which is why the astronomical and astrological answers can differ. You can read more about this in our zodiac infographic.
What objects will be visible near the Flower Moon in May 2026?
The day before the May Full Moon, on April 30, the Moon will pass near Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. The two objects will be closest to each other at 08:17 UTC/GMT (4:17 AM EDT), at a distance of 2°. You will easily distinguish Spica by its bluish glow. Both objects will be visible to the naked eye.
At the Full Moon date, the Moon will be located in the constellation Libra, which doesn’t host any bright first-magnitude stars. However, you can spot Zubenelgenubi, a third-magnitude star, shining nearby.
By May 3, the Moon will move into Scorpius, where it will pass close to the reddish star Antares (mag 1.1), often called the "heart of the scorpion." The closest approach between the two will occur on May 4, at 02:20 UTC/GMT (10:20 PM EDT).
To easily find Antares in the sky, use the Sky Tonight app. You can also learn what planets are close to the Moon from our dedicated article.
What is the Flower Moon?
The Flower Moon is the traditional name for the May Full Moon. It refers to the abundance of flowers that bloom in May across much of the Northern Hemisphere.
Many traditional Full Moon names are linked to seasonal changes in nature, and the Flower Moon is one of the most widely recognized examples.
May Full Moon alternative names
May’s Full Moon is best known as the Flower Moon, but different cultures and traditions use different names — and even within one culture, names can vary by region and source. The name Flower Moon is associated with Algonquin traditions, while other folk names are also widely recorded. Let’s take a look at some of them:
- Budding Moon (Cree — Subarctic and Plains regions, Canada)
- Planting Moon (Dakota, Lakota — Northern Plains / Great Plains, USA)
- Moon of the Green Leaves (Lakota — Great Plains, USA)
- The Time of Big Leaf (Mohawk — Northeast / upper New York, USA)
- Mulberry Moon (Choctaw — Southeastern USA)
- Egg Laying Moon (Cree — Subarctic and Plains regions, Canada)
- Frog Moon (Cree — Subarctic and Plains regions, Canada)
- Moon When Ponies Shed Their Coats (Oglala — Great Plains, USA)
- Alewife Moon (Passamaquoddy — Northeastern North America)
- Milk Moon (traditional European folk name)
- Hare Moon (Celts — Northwestern Europe / the British Isles)
- Grass Moon (Celts — Northwestern Europe / the British Isles)
Seasonal names of Full Moons in the Southern Hemisphere are often shifted by 6 months compared to the Northern Hemisphere:
- Hunter’s Moon / Frost Moon (Southern Hemisphere)
Meaning of the Flower Moon: Spiritual and astrological meaning
Spiritually, the Flower Moon is often associated with flourishing, abundance, and fertility. Because it arrives during a season of blossoming and visible change, many people connect it with personal transformation and new beginnings.
From an astrological perspective, the May 2026 Full Moon is considered a Scorpio Full Moon. Scorpio is often linked with intuition, deep emotions, and personal growth, so this Full Moon is sometimes seen as a time for letting go of old patterns, revealing hidden feelings, and embracing inner change.
Full Flower Moon and Buddha Purnima
In India, the May Full Moon is also associated with Buddha Purnima (or Buddha Jayanti / Vesak), one of the most important Buddhist holidays. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha and is observed on the Full Moon day. In 2026, Buddha Purnima in India falls on May 1, the same day as the Flower Moon.
May Full Moon 2026: Frequently asked questions
When is the Full Moon in May 2026?
May 2026 has two Full Moons. The first one, traditionally known as the Flower Moon, occurs on May 1 at 17:23 UTC/GMT (1:23 PM EDT). The second Full Moon will occur on May 31 at 08:45 UTC/GMT (4:45 AM EDT).
Why are there two Full Moons in May 2026?
Because one Full Moon happens on May 1, there is enough time in the lunar cycle for another to occur on May 31, creating a Blue Moon. To learn more about what a Blue Moon is and get a list of upcoming Blue Moons, check our dedicated article: Next Blue Moon — Dates & Full Calendar Through 2032.
Why is the Full Moon in May called the Flower Moon?
The May Full Moon is called the Flower Moon because May is associated with abundant blooming flowers in the Northern Hemisphere.
Is the Flower Moon in May 2026 a Supermoon?
No. The Full Moon on May 1 is actually a Micromoon — an opposite of a Supermoon. It occurs near apogee and appears slightly smaller than a usual Full Moon.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon after the Flower Moon will occur on May 31, 2026, at 08:45 UTC/GMT (4:45 AM EDT). It will be a Blue Moon. To learn more about it, read our dedicated article: Blue Moon in May 2026.
When is the next Flower Moon?
The next Flower Moon after May 1, 2026, will occur on May 20, 2027. The exact local date and time may vary depending on your time zone.
May Flower Moon 2026: Key takeaways
The first Full Moon in May 2026, known as the Flower Moon, peaks on May 1 at 17:23 UTC/GMT (1:23 PM EDT). It will shine in Libra, appear as a Micromoon, and mark the beginning of a rare month with two Full Moons. The second Full Moon of May 2026 — on May 31 — will be a Blue Moon. Use the Sky Tonight app to learn the Moon’s current phase and position in the sky. We wish you clear skies and happy Moon-gazing!
