September Full Moon 2026: Meaning of the Harvest Moon
The September Full Moon in 2026 is the Harvest Moon, the one that once guided farmers through long evenings of work. Enjoy the view on September 26, 2026! Want to know when the Full Moon will rise and set at your exact location? Check the timing with the lunar calendar in the Sky Tonight app. Read on to discover why this Full Moon’s name is linked to the fall equinox, what makes it special, and how to see it at its best.
Contents
- September 2026 Moon Dates & Time
- What Zodiac Sign Is the September Full Moon in?
- Full Moon in September 2026: Meaning of the Name
- September 19, 2026 – International Observe the Moon Night
- September Full Moon 2026 FAQ
- September Full Moon 2026: Conclusion
September 2026 Moon Dates & Time
Moon Phases in September 2026
- Last Quarter: September 4, 07:51 GMT
- New Moon: September 11, 03:27 GMT
- First Quarter: September 18, 20:44 GMT
- Full Moon: September 26, 16:49 GMT
One of the easiest ways to check the current lunar phase is by visiting the lunar calendar on the starwalk.space website or in the Sky Tonight app. You'll find all the essential details, including moonrise and moonset times, the illumination percentage of the lunar disk, and more.
When Is the Full Moon in September 2026?
This month, the Full Moon will occur on September 26 at 16:49 GMT. The exact timing is not crucial for observing a Full Moon, as it will appear round and bright to the naked eye for a few days. You can enjoy the Full Moon from about September 25 to September 27.
The Full Moon rises in the east at sunset and sets in the west around dawn. For a special view, try catching it near the horizon, where it takes on a beautiful orange hue due to atmospheric refraction.
What time will the September Full Moon rise?
The moonrise time during the Full Moon on September 26, 2026, depends on your location. Below are the moonrise times for some major cities:
- Sydney: September 26, 17:29 AEDT
- São Paulo: September 26, 18:11 BRT
- London: September 26, 18:27 GMT
- Chicago: September 26, 18:29 CST
- Mexico City: September 26, 18:29 CST
- New York City: September 26, 18:35 EST
- Los Angeles: September 26, 18:39 PST
- Singapore: September 26, 18:40 SGT
- Toronto: September 26, 18:55 EST
You can check the exact moonrise time for each date in your city in our interactive lunar calendar.
When Is the New Moon in September 2026?
The New Moon will occur on September 11 at 03:27 GMT. On this day, the Moon will be invisible to the naked eye, and it will also be challenging to see the day before and after. This is a great opportunity to observe dimmer celestial objects, like some September deep-sky wonders.
What Zodiac Sign Is the September Full Moon in?
Depending on the year, the September Full Moon can be in one of three constellations. Most years it's in Pisces, sometimes in Aquarius, and very rarely, once every 20 years or so, in Cetus. In 2026, the September Full Moon will be positioned in Pisces. Astrologers, however, say that the September Full Moon is in the sign of Aries. If this sounds confusing, you’re not alone – to finally sort out the difference between zodiac signs and constellations, take a look at our dedicated article on the zodiac.
Bright Dots Near the September Full Moon
This September, the Full Moon will be in Pisces, close to the well-known Circlet asterism – a loose ring of seven stars (Theta, Beta, Gamma, Kappa, Lambda, 19, and Iota Piscium), representing the western fish. To easily identify the asterism, open the Sky Tonight app, type “Circlet” in the search bar, tap the blue target button, then point your device at the sky and follow the arrow to the asterism in your sky.
However, the brightest “star” near the Moon won't be a star at all, but Saturn! You'll likely notice a steady yellow point of light near the lunar disk. Saturn will be glowing at a magnitude of 0.4, visible to the naked eye. It will reach opposition on October 4, and it will already be well-placed for observation.
With a small telescope, you can try to spot another giant neighbor – Neptune. It will be at opposition on the Full Moon night, September 26, when the planet reaches its brightest magnitude and is visible in the sky all night. However, at magnitude 7.7 and close to the bright Moon, Neptune will still only be visible through optics.
With two planets, the bright Full Moon, and a ring of stars, it's a fantastic setup for an evening of stargazing! Want to catch more Moon-and-planet pairings? Then explore our guide to Moon-planet conjunctions.
Full Moon in September 2026: Meaning of the Name
Each Full Moon has a traditional name, often inspired by seasonal changes and natural events typical of that month. In addition to these, some “special” Full Moons have names based on unique celestial phenomena.
Harvest Moon meaning
The Harvest Moon is the Full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, which falls in September in the Northern Hemisphere and March in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Harvest Moon typically occurs in September, as it will in 2026. However, every three to five years, it shifts to October. The next October Harvest Moon will be in 2028.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the Harvest Moon can fall in March or April. In 2026, the Harvest Moon in the Southern Hemisphere is on April 2, 2026. In 2027, it will take place on March 22.
The Harvest Moon is so named because around this time, the Moon rises soon after sunset for several evenings in a row. In the past, this gave farmers extra time to harvest by moonlight in the evening. The next Full Moon after the Harvest Moon is called the Hunter's Moon, and this also has historical roots. After the fields were cleared, it was easier for hunters to see animals out in the open looking for food.
Harvest Moon spiritual meaning
The Harvest Moon is often seen as a time of reflection and balance. Spiritually, it marks a moment to celebrate the abundance we’ve gathered in our lives, while also letting go of what no longer serves us. It can be viewed as a doorway between the active energy of summer and the quieter, inward season of autumn. Although not rooted in astronomy, these interpretations offer a fun way to enjoy the night sky while reflecting on your own life.
The Mid-Autumn Moon
The closest Full Moon to the fall equinox is celebrated by many nations. For the Chinese people, it marks the mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival. It is the second-most-important festival after the Lunar New Year. On this day, people traditionally get together with their family and friends, eat mooncakes, light up paper lanterns, and gaze at the Moon. Similar traditions are found in many cultures around the world, including Japan, Korea, Vietnam, India, and Sri Lanka.
Corn Moon Meaning
Native American tribes referred to the September Full Moon as the Corn Moon because it signified the time for harvesting crops at the end of summer. Different tribes had their own variations of the name, given the importance of corn in the lives of people at the time. For example, the Abenaki people called it the Corn Maker Moon, while the Zuni described it as “the Moon when everything ripens and corn is harvested.”
Alternative Names for the September Full Moon
The other alternative names for the September Full Moon include:
- Chinese: Chrysanthemum Moon
- Celtic: Singing Moon
- Wiccan: Barley Moon
- Cherokee: Nut Moon
- Southern Hemisphere: Worm Moon, Lenten Moon, Crow Moon, Sugar Moon, Chaste Moon, Sap Moon
September 19, 2026 – International Observe the Moon Night
During the September First Quarter Moon, skywatchers around the world will celebrate International Observe the Moon Night on September 19, 2026. Organized by NASA, this annual event invites everyone to step outside, look up, and connect with the Moon. Many local communities host stargazing gatherings, lectures, and online activities, but you can also take part simply by enjoying the view from your own backyard. It’s a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the Moon not only as a celestial body but also as a shared experience that unites people worldwide. To deepen your lunar knowledge, check out our infographic with fascinating Moon facts or try our interactive quiz on Moon colors.
September Full Moon 2026 FAQ
When Is the Next Full Moon 2026?
The next Full Moon after September 26, 2026, will take place on October 26, 2026. This Full Moon is traditionally called the Hunter's Moon. Read our article on the October Full Moon to learn more about it.
When Is the Harvest Moon 2026?
The Harvest Moon is the closest Full Moon to the autumnal equinox. In 2026, the Harvest Moon falls on April 2 in the Southern Hemisphere, while in the Northern Hemisphere, it occurs on September 26. In 2027, the Harvest Moon will arrive on March 22 in the Southern Hemisphere and on September 16 in the Northern Hemisphere.
Is there a Supermoon in September 2026?
There is no Supermoon in September 2026. The next Supermoon will take place on November 24, 2026. It is called the Beaver Supermoon.
Want to learn about Supermoons and never miss one? Check out our infographic on upcoming Supermoons and their counterpart, Micromoons.
Why is the Moon orange tonight?
The September Full Moon can appear orange when it sits low on the horizon because its light travels a longer path through the atmosphere, where blue light is scattered and only red and orange wavelengths reach the ground. The Moon may also seem larger than usual because of the Moon illusion – the Moon isn’t actually bigger, it just appears that way to our brains when it’s near the horizon.
September Full Moon 2026: Conclusion
The September Full Moon of 2026, the Harvest Moon, will shine on September 26 at 16:49 GMT in the constellation Pisces. As the Full Moon is the nearest to the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, it rises close to sunset for several nights in a row, bringing extra evening light. This year, the Full Moon appears alongside Saturn, Neptune, and the Circlet asterism.
Want to know when exactly the Full Moon rises in your city, how to locate Saturn and the stars of the Circlet, or what else is happening in your sky that night? Let the Sky Tonight app guide your observations.
Clear skies and happy Moon-watching!
