Advertisement

When is the next full moon? How and when to see April's Pink Moon

We see around 12 full moons a year when the sun is directly on the other side of the Earth from the moon (Prakesh Mathema / AFP via Getty Images)
We see around 12 full moons a year when the sun is directly on the other side of the Earth from the moon (Prakesh Mathema / AFP via Getty Images)

If you missed March’s Worm Moon, you’ll have to wait just under a month to catch the next one in April.

Until then, you might see the moon in its waning gibbous or crescent form — if Britain’s gloomy skies clear up.

Although the weather isn’t great, the arrival of spring means we may have clearer skies in the coming months and more chance of seeing a full moon in all its glory.

When the moon is completely illuminated and facing the sun in its orbit around the Earth, it gives you a full moon.

Even though we refer to it as a full moon, that’s technically untrue. The moon is only full when Earth, the sun, and the moon are perfectly aligned — causing a lunar eclipse.

When is the next full moon?

You’ll be able to see the next full moon between April 23 and April 24.

April’s moon is known as the Pink Moon and it gained its name from its correlation to blossom and spring.

What is a full moon?

A full moon occurs when the Earth is positioned directly between the sun and the moon. The side of the moon facing Earth is fully illuminated by sunlight.

This alignment causes the moon to appear as a complete, round disk in the sky, with its entire surface visible from Earth.

Full moons happen roughly once every 29.5 days as the moon orbits around the Earth. They're often associated with various cultural beliefs, myths, and traditions. They can also affect phenomena such as tides and animal behaviour.

How many full moons are there a year and what is a cold moon?

There are typically 12 to 13 full moons in a year, averaging about one per month. This variation is due to the slightly shorter lunar cycle than the 12-month calendar cycle we use.

The "Cold Moon” is a full moon that occurs in December, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, where December tends to be one of the coldest months of the year.

The name "Cold Moon" comes from the seasonal association with winter and the dropping temperatures during this time. Different cultures have their own names for the full moons based on local climate, seasonal changes, and cultural traditions.

Full moon dates in 2024

  • January 25

  • February 24

  • March 25

  • April 24

  • May 23

  • June 22

  • July 21

  • August 19

  • September 18

  • October 17

  • November 15

  • December 15

What are the names of the full moons?

Full moon nicknames mostly come from Native American culture. Many tribes assigned either 12 or 13 full moons to the year. These names were later adopted by colonial Americans, before entering popular culture.

January

January’s full moon is called the Wolf Moon. It’s named after the howling of wolves, hungry after the lack of food available in midwinter. January’s full moon has other nicknames, including Old Moon and Ice Moon.

February

The full moon in February is called the Snow Moon, after the snowy weather in North America. February’s full moon is also known as the Storm Moon and Hunger Moon.

March

March’s full moon is known as the Worm Moon. Native Americans named this after the worm trails that appeared in the ground after it thawed at the end of winter. It is also called the Chaste Moon, Death Moon, and Crust Moon.

April

April’s full moon is called the Pink Moon — named after an early blooming wildflower. Other cultures call April’s moon the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon.

May

May’s full moon is known by many cultures as the Flower Moon, after the flowers that bloom in spring. It’s also called the Hare Moon and the Milk Moon, among other names.

June

June’s full moon is known as the Strawberry Moon, named after the harvesting of strawberries during this month. In Europe, it’s known as the Rose Moon, while other cultures call it the Hot Moon.

July

The full moon in July is known as the Buck Moon, which got its name from when male deer began to regrow their antlers. It’s also known as the Thunder Moon and Hay Moon.

August

The full moon in August is known as the Sturgeon Moon by North American fishing tribes because the fish species appear during this month. It’s also known as the Green Corn Moon and the Red Moon.

September

September’s full moon is called the Full Corn Moon, because this is the time of year when crops are gathered following summer. It’s also known as the Harvest Moon as it is often the nearest full moon to the autumnal equinox.

October

The full moon in October is called the Hunter’s Moon because October is the preferred moon to hunt deer and foxes that cannot hide among crops. It’s also called the Travel Moon and the Dying Grass Moon.

November

November’s full moon is called the Beaver Moon. Some believe it’s named after the time of year Native Americans set up beaver traps, while others believe it comes from the time of year beavers build their winter dams.

December

December’s full moon is known as the Cold Moon due to the cold weather winter brings. It’s also known as the Long Night Moon.