July’s full Buck Moon rises on Thursday, July 10! See more information about July’s Full Moon, from why we call it the “Buck” Moon to the best days for activities based on the Moon’s sign and phase in July.
When to See the Full Moon in July 2025
July’s full Buck Moon will rise on Thursday, July 10, reaching peak illumination at 4:37 P.M. Eastern Time. It will be below the horizon at that time, so plan to look towards the southeast after sunset to watch it rise into the sky.
→ Consult our Moonrise and Moonset Calculator to see precisely when the Buck Moon will be visible in your area!
Why Is It Called the Buck Moon?
The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the full Moon.
The Buck Moon
The full Moon in July is called the Buck Moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time. Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year, producing a larger and more impressive set as the years go by.
Alternative July Moon Names
Several other names for this month’s Moon also reference animals, including Feather Moulting Moon (Cree) and Salmon Moon, a Tlingit term indicating when fish returned to the area and were ready to be harvested.
Plants are also featured prominently in July’s Moon names. Some of our favorites are Berry Moon (Anishinaabe), Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe (Dakota), Month of the Ripe Corn Moon (Cherokee), and Raspberry Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe).
Thunder Moon (Western Abenaki) and Halfway Summer Moon (Anishinaabe) are alternative variants that refer to the stormy weather and summer season.
Moon Facts
- On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to step foot on the Moon. He also placed the U.S. flag there.
- On July 31, 1999, the ashes of the astrogeologist Eugene Shoemaker were deposited on the Moon.
Source: Catherine Boeckmann, The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Photo Credit: space.com
