The first full moon of summer—the Strawberry Moon—will peak Monday, June 29, 2026 at 7:57 p.m. ET, lighting the night sky after the June 21 summer solstice.
On the night the Strawberry Moon reaches its peak, the sky is expected to look simple—bright, full, and familiar. But the timing is what matters: it arrives as summer officially starts, turning a calendar event into a visible marker for millions of stargazers across the U.S.
The first full moon of summer will occur after the summer solstice, which fell on Sunday, June 21. Even with its sweet-sounding nickname, June’s full moon won’t resemble an actual strawberry. The Old Farmer’s Almanac says its name has a seasonal origin rather than a color guarantee. and that June’s moon won’t look red like the fruit.
The Strawberry Moon peaks on Monday, June 29, at 7:57 p.m. ET, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. It should still appear full a few days before and after that peak moment, giving skywatchers a short window to plan around work schedules—and the weather.
Despite the nickname, June’s moon has traditions baked into it. The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains that full and new moon names are used to track the seasons. It also traces the Strawberry Moon’s nickname to Native American Algonquian tribes in the northeastern U.S. as well as the Ojibwe. Dakota and Lakota peoples.
Other names also circulate for the same full moon. The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists Berries Ripen Moon, Blooming Moon, Green Corn Moon, Hoer Moon, and Birth Moon.
For many stargazers. the moon doesn’t need to be rare to be worth the trip outside—it just needs a clear view. The full moon may peak before the sun sets in certain areas. but it will still look full. bright. and beautiful at night. provided conditions cooperate. The key is timing and transparency in the sky.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac advises checking local weather forecasts for heavy cloud coverage or storms. If you’re planning to watch on the night it peaks. dress for the weather and bring something to make staying outside easier. like a blanket. sleeping bag. or reclining chair. If mosquitoes are an issue where you live, bug spray is recommended.
The rest of 2026’s full moons are also already set on the calendar. The Farmer’s Almanac lists Buck Moon peaking July 29, at 10:36 a.m. ET; Sturgeon Moon (partial lunar eclipse) peaking Aug. 28, at 12:18 a.m. ET; Harvest Moon peaking Sept. 26, at 12:49 p.m. ET; and Hunter’s Moon peaking Oct. 26, at 12:12 a.m. ET.
The lineup continues with Beaver Moon (super moon) peaking Nov. 24, at 9:53 a.m. ET; and Cold Moon (super moon) peaking Dec. 23, at 8:28 p.m.
Between those dates, the Strawberry Moon stands out as a seasonal handoff: it’s not dramatic in color, but it’s timed to the turning point of summer—and on June 29 at 7:57 p.m. ET, the sky will confirm it.
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