The full moon in October 2026 — the Hunter’s Moon — reaches peak illumination at 12:12 AM EDT on Monday, October 26, 2026. That means the best time to watch it rise in North America is the evening of Sunday, October 25, when it climbs over the eastern horizon around sunset looking huge and golden. Here is the exact time in your time zone, the meaning behind its name, what else is happening in the October 2026 night sky, and tips for photographing it.
Full Moon October 2026: Date and Time
| Location | Peak time |
|---|---|
| US Eastern (EDT) | 12:12 AM, Monday, October 26 |
| US Central (CDT) | 11:12 PM, Sunday, October 25 |
| US Mountain (MDT) | 10:12 PM, Sunday, October 25 |
| US Pacific (PDT) | 9:12 PM, Sunday, October 25 |
| UK (GMT, after clocks go back) | 4:12 AM, Monday, October 26 |
| India (IST) | 9:42 AM, Monday, October 26 |
| Universal Time (UTC) | 04:12, Monday, October 26 |
When to look: the moon looks full for about a day on either side of its peak, so Sunday evening (October 25) and Monday evening (October 26) are both great for viewing. Moonrise near sunset gives the famous large, orange “harvest-coloured” moon.
Why Is It Called the Hunter’s Moon?
The Hunter’s Moon is the first full moon after the Harvest Moon (the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, which in 2026 fell in September). By late October, fields had been harvested and leaves had fallen, so hunters could spot animals more easily by moonlight and stock up for winter.
Other names for the October full moon
- Travel Moon and Dying Grass Moon – names associated with Native American traditions.
- Falling Leaves Moon – used by several Indigenous nations.
- Sanguine or Blood Moon – an old European name linked to the autumn hunt (not to be confused with a lunar eclipse).
- Sharad Purnima / Kojagari Purnima – in India, the same full moon is one of the most sacred nights of the year.
In 2026 the Hunter’s Moon and Sharad Purnima coincide — read our Sharad Purnima 2026 guide for the kheer-under-moonlight tradition.
October 2026 Night Sky Highlights
- Draconid meteor shower – around October 8; a small shower best seen in the early evening.
- Orionid meteor shower – peaks around October 21–22; debris from Halley’s Comet, with up to about 20 meteors an hour under dark skies.
- Clocks change – the UK and Europe fall back on October 25; the US on November 1.
- Halloween – Saturday, October 31, under a waning gibbous moon.
Full Moon October 2026 Spiritual Meaning
Many spiritual traditions treat the October full moon as a time of preparation, gratitude and letting go, matching the season of harvest and falling leaves. Popular full-moon practices include:
- Gratitude list – write down what you “harvested” this year.
- Release ritual – write what you want to let go of, then tear up the paper.
- Moon water – leave a jar of water in moonlight overnight to use in intentions.
- Quiet walk – an evening walk under the rising moon to reset your mind.
Seeing angel numbers this month? Read our guides to 999 (completion) and 1111 (new beginnings).
How to Photograph the Hunter’s Moon
- Shoot at moonrise – the moon near the horizon looks bigger next to trees or buildings.
- Use a tripod and a 2-second timer to avoid shake.
- Phone users: tap on the moon, then slide exposure down until craters appear.
- DSLR/mirrorless: start around ISO 100, f/8, 1/125 s, and adjust.
- Add a foreground – a pumpkin patch or bare tree makes the shot feel seasonal.
Post it with one of our fall captions for Instagram.
2026 Full Moon Calendar (Rest of the Year)
| Month | Traditional name |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | Hunter’s Moon (Oct 26, 12:12 AM EDT) |
| November 2026 | Beaver Moon |
| December 2026 | Cold Moon |
Full Moon October 2026 FAQ
When is the full moon in October 2026?
The October 2026 full moon peaks at 12:12 AM EDT on Monday, October 26 (9:12 PM PDT on Sunday, October 25).
What is the October full moon called?
It is called the Hunter’s Moon.
Is there a full moon on Halloween 2026?
No. The moon will be waning (past full) on October 31, 2026, about five days after the Hunter’s Moon.
Timings are from The Old Farmer’s Almanac; check local moonrise times for your city.
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