Here are the latest widely reported details about the May 2026 full moons.
Overview
- May 2026 has two full moons: the first on May 1, 2026, and the second on May 31, 2026. This makes May 2026 one of the few months with a second full moon, often called a blue moon in popular usage.[2][4][5]
First full moon
- Date and time: May 1, 2026, around 17:23 UTC (1:23 PM Eastern Time). This is the traditional Flower Moon in many cultures.[3][2]
Second full moon (Blue Moon)
- Date and time: May 31, 2026, around 08:45 UTC (4:45 AM Eastern Time). This is the second full moon in May 2026.[5][2][3]
Viewing tips
- The full moons are bright and best viewed in clear skies; the exact peak moment is brief, so you’ll likely see a near-full moon on the surrounding nights as well.[3][5]
- If you’re using astronomy apps or sky calendars, you can tune to your local time to see the moon’s phase for May 1 and May 31, 2026, and plan around civil twilight for optimal viewing.[2][3]
Additional context
- May 2026 also includes other lunar phases (last quarter around May 9, new moon May 16, first quarter May 23) which helps plan viewing around the broader lunar cycle.[2]
- Some outlets describe the May 31 moon as a “blue moon” in the common sense (second full moon in a month), though it’s not a true astronomical blue moon; it’s a calendar-based designation.[4][5]
If you’d like, I can tailor viewing times to your exact location in Los Angeles and suggest optimal nights and local rise/set times for the two May 2026 full moons.
Sources
5-01-2026 Full Moon May 1 - 17:23 UTC Last Quarter May 9 - 21:10 UTC New Moon May 16 - 20:01 UTC First Quarter May 23 - 11:11 UTC Full Moon May 31 - 08:45 UTC 〈Full Moon May 1 17:23 UTCLast Quarter May 9 21:10 UTCNew Moon May 16 20:01 UTCFirst Quarter May 23 11:11 UTCFull Moon May 31 08:45 UTC〉 The Full Moon for this month will occur early in the month on Friday, May 1st. The New Moon will happen later in May on Saturday, May 16th. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver May 1, 2026 10:23am PDT...
www.moongiant.comA guide to full Moon highlights in 2026, including supermoons, lunar eclipses and the Christmas Eve Cold Moon that will round off the year.
www.skyatnightmagazine.comPrepare to mark your calendars!
www.cosmopolitan.comCheck the dates for every full Moon throughout the year, learn about the Moon's phases, 'supermoons' and more
www.rmg.co.ukWhen does the next full moon rise? Find out exactly when to see the full moons of 2026, including the full "Blue Moon" in late May.
www.livescience.comWhen is the Flower Moon in 2026? The May Flower Moon peaks on May 1, 2026. Learn the exact time, its meaning, and why May 2026 has two Full Moons.
starwalk.spaceExplore the Full Moons of 2026, see when each one occurs, and discover the standout features of every Full Moon this year.
starwalk.spaceMeteor showers, eclipses, a planetary parade and 13 full moons will be visible in the night sky in 2026. Here's when to see them.
www.cnn.comReal-Time solar activity and auroral activity data website
www.spaceweatherlive.comAncient Mesopotamian farmers, Celtic druids, Roman philosophers, Aztec priests - and you. No matter where you are in the world - or even in history - we all see the same moon. The full moon has been important to many cultures throughout history and around the world, and it’s still important to many
www.butserancientfarm.co.uk