In 2026, there will be a blue moon on May 31st. May will have an extra full moon. Each season will have three full moons.
When is the blue moon is 2026?
The blue moon in May 2026 will be on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 4:45 AM EST. The May 31st full moon will be the sixth full moon of 2026 and the full moon in Sagittarius.
The 2026 Full Moon Calendar will have a total of 13 full moons.
Season of the May Blue Moon
In 2026, the May Blue Moon will be the third and last full moon of the Spring season. It will be the third full moon after the Spring Equinox, also called the Vernal Equinox.
In 2026, the Vernal Equinox will be on March 20 at 10:46 a.m. The Spring Equinox marks the first day of Spring and the end of winter. A May Blue Moon will always be the third and last full moon of the spring season.
May 2026 Blue Moon Phases
The Lunar Phases for the 2026 Blue Moon are:
| Lunar Phase | Date & Time | Season | Moon Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Moon | May 16, 2026 4:01 p.m. EDT | Spring | New Blue Moon |
| First Quarter | May 23, 2026 7:11 a.m. EDT | Spring | Blue First Quarter |
| Blue Moon | May 31, 2026 4:45 a.m. EDT | Spring | Full Blue Moon |
| Last Quarter | June 8, 2026 6:00 a.m. EDT | Spring | Blue Last Quarter |
What is a blue moon?
There are two definitions of blue moons. The most common, and the one you likely know is when two full moons occur in the same month. The second full moon is typically called a blue moon.
The second definition of a blue moon relates having an extra full moon during a season. When a season has four full moons, the third full moon of the season is also called a blue moon, or a seasonal blue moon to help distinguish between the other definition.
Typically there’s a monthly blue moon every 2 to 3 years, and there is a seasonal blue moon every 2 to 3 years. Rarely do the two happen in the same year, but it can happen.
Is a blue moon actually blue?
While it’s possible for the moon to not appear as its usual greyish-white, a blue moon does not typically appear as blue in color. If there’s smoke or dust in the atmosphere, it’s possible for the moon take a different color including blue.
