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Full Moon May 2023: The Full Flower Moon

Mark your calendars for the next May 2023 Full Moon. The next May full moon is Friday May 5, 2023 at 1:34 PM EDT or 5:34 PM UTC based on the data provided by NASA. It will be the fifth of the thirteen full moons in 2023.

A full moon occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and Moon so that the moon looks completely illuminated. It happens about once a month or, 29.53 days on average.

Ready to dive a little deeper into the May 2023 Full Moon? Learn more about the moon’s nicknames and other facts.

Photo of the moon for the Full Moon May 2023 date, the Full Flower Moon

The dates and times provided by NASA in United States Eastern Time are for both Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) for part of the year in the United States. Also below is the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) time. Since you may be in a different time zone, the exact dates may shift for your calendar.

When is the full moon in May 2023?

The full moon in May will be on Friday May 5, 2023 1:34 PM EDT or 5:34 PM UTC. The May 5th full moon will be the fifth full moon of 2023 and the full moon in Scorpio.

What is the name of the May 2023 Full Moon?

The Full Moon in May 2023 is commonly referred to as the Full Flower Moon. This name probably isn’t a surprise when you think of the saying: “April Showers bring May Flowers”. Welcome to spring and the flowers that come with the season.

While the April full moon name doesn’t reference rain, the May full moon matches the time-honored saying.

Other nicknames for the May Full Moon include the Corn Planting Moon, and Milk Moon.

Which season includes the May Full Moon?

In 2023, the May Full Moon will be the second full moon of the Spring 2023 season. It will be the second full moon after the Vernal Equinox in 2023.

The Vernal or Spring equinox marks the beginning of astronomical spring and the end of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

In 2023, the Vernal Equinox was on Monday March 20, 2023 5:25 PM EDT or 9:25 PM UTC.

When is the new moon for the 2023 Full Flower Moon?

The lunar cycle for the May Full Moon will begin with its new moon in April 2023. The New Flower Moon will be on Thursday April 20, 2023 12:12 AM EDT or 4:12 AM UTC and will be in the new moon in Aries. There will also be a Hybrid Solar Eclipse during the New Flower Moon in April.

The new moon that will occur in May 2023 will be the start of the lunar cycle of the June full moon.

Will there be a full supermoon in May 2023?

No, the full moon in May 2023 will not be a full supermoon as it will be more than 360,000 kilometers away during the peak of the full moon. The year will have 2 supermoons in August and 2 additional full supermoons depending on the definition you use.

A full supermoon is a full moon that nearly coincides with the closest point that the Moon comes to the Earth in its orbit, called perigee. The moon will have a larger-than-usual appearance. There isn’t an official definition on the exact distance the moon needs to be to be called a supermoon. It’s approximately 360,000 kilometers or closer depending on the definition.

Will there be a lunar eclipse during the May Full Moon?

Yes there will be a lunar eclipse during the full moon in May 2023. During the May 5th full moon there will be a penumbral lunar eclipse.

The May lunar eclipse will be the first of two lunar eclipses in 2023. There will also be a partial lunar eclipse during the October Full Moon.

May 2023 Moon Phases in Eastern Time and UTC

Below are the lunar phases for May 2023 including the new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter that are on the schedule for each month. The date and times are based on both the United States Eastern Time Zone and UTC, adjusted for daylight saving time.

Lunar PhaseUS Eastern Date & TimeUTC Date & Time
May Full MoonMay 5, 2023 1:34 PM EDTMay 5, 2023 5:34 PM UTC
May Last QuarterMay 12, 2023 10:28 AM EDTMay 12, 2023 2:28 PM UTC
May New MoonMay 19, 2023 11:53 AM EDTMay 19, 2023 3:53 PM UTC
May First QuarterMay 27, 2023 11:22 AM EDTMay 27, 2023 3:22 PM UTC

Future May Full Moons

Wondering about May in the future and when the full moons will occur? Here’s a list for the next few years.

YearDay of the weekFuture May Full Moons
2023FridayMay 5, 2023 1:34 PM EDT
2024ThursdayMay 23, 2024 9:53 AM EDT
2025MondayMay 12, 2025 12:56 PM EDT
2026FridayMay 1, 2026 1:23 PM EDT
2026SundayMay 31, 2026 4:45 AM EDT (Blue Moon)
2027ThursdayMay 20, 2027 6:59 AM EDT
2028MondayMay 8, 2028 3:49 PM EDT
2029SundayMay 27, 2029 2:37 PM EDT

Past May Full Moons

And what about the past? Here is when the full moon occurred in the past for May.

YearDay of the weekPast May Full Moons
2022MondayMay 16, 2022 12:14 AM EDT
2021WednesdayMay 26, 2021 7:14 AM EDT
2020ThursdayMay 7, 2020 6:45 AM EDT
2019SaturdayMay 18, 2019 5:11 PM EDT
2018TuesdayMay 29, 2018 10:20 AM EDT
2017WednesdayMay 10, 2017 5:43 PM EDT

Frequently Asked Questions

Have additional questions about the May Full Moons? Here are a few of the frequently asked questions to help you.

How many full moons will there be in May 2023?

In 2023, there will be one full moon in May. The May Full Moon will be on Friday May 5, 2023 1:34 PM EDT or 6:34 PM UTC. There are other years with 2 full moons, with the second called a blue moon, but not for 2023.

Future Full Moon Calendars

And if you’re looking for when the full moon occurs for the rest of the year, check out these future full moon calendars.

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Photo of the moon for the May 2023 Full Moon, the Full Flower Moon