There will be not one, but two, Full Moons in May! The first Moon, the Full Flower Moon, reaches its peak on Friday, May 1, while the second Moon, the Blue Moon (which is also a Micromoon), peaks on Sunday, May 31. Find out the meaning of the Flower Moon, the Full Moon of May.
When to See the Full Moons in May 2026
May 1: The Flower Moon
May’s first Full Moon, the Flower Moon, reaches peak illumination at 12:23 P.M. (CST) on Friday, May 1. How fitting to have the Flower Moon arrive on May Day!
Find a location with unobstructed views of the horizon, if possible. See what time the moon will be visible in your area with our Moonrise and Moonset Calculator.
While the moon technically reaches peak illumination in the early afternoon, it will appear full and bright to the naked eye on both Thursday, April 30, and Friday, May 1.
- Best Time: Friday, May 1, shortly after sunset.
- Moonrise: The moon will rise in the east-southeast around sunset, offering a large, golden appearance.
- Peak Viewing: As the moon rises during dusk, it will be at its most impressive.
The moon will also appear fully illuminated on the night of Thursday, April 30, if you are unable to view it on Friday. Note that this specific full moon is a “micromoon,” meaning it will appear slightly smaller than average.
Why Is It Called the Flower Moon?
The Full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from many 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 Flower Moon
May’s Flower Moon name should be no surprise; flowers spring forth across North America in abundance this month!
- “Flower Moon” has been attributed to Algonquin peoples, as confirmed by Christina Ruddy of The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre in Pikwakanagan, Ontario.
- May’s Moon was also called the “Month of Flowers” by Jonathan Carver in his 1798 publication, Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America: 1766, 1767, 1768 (pp. 250-252), as a likely Dakota name. Carver stayed with the Naudowessie (Dakota) over a period of time; his expedition covered the Great Lakes region, including the Wisconsin and Minnesota areas.
- Henry David Thoreau sparked the Native American Moon names as well, referencing the Flower Moon and Carver when he wrote about Native Americans.
Alternative May Moon Names
May’s Moon names tend to speak to the arrival of spring and all that it entails!
The Cree names Budding Moon and Leaf Budding Moon celebrate the awakening of local flora, which really begins to leaf out now in many areas. Similarly, Planting Moon (Dakota, Lakota) marks the time when seeds should be started for the farming season ahead.
The activities of animals marked spring’s arrival, too, which is highlighted by the Cree names Egg Laying Moon and Frog Moon, as well as the Oglala term Moon of the Shedding Ponies. All three names indicate that warmer weather is on the way!
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Full Moon: May 1, 12:23 P.M. CST |
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Last Quarter: May 9, 4:10 P.M. CST |
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New Moon: May 16, 3:01 P.M. CST |
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First Quarter: May 23, 6:11 A.M. CST |
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Full Moon: May 31, 3:45 A.M. CST |
Source: Catherine Boeckmann, The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Photo Credit: space.com | A full moon pictured behind a blooming Jasmine plant. (Image credit: Getty Images, Lee Sie Photography
