The next full moon arrives just days after fall officially begins.
Here's what to know about September's full moon — the Harvest Moon — and why it is one of the most anticipated full moons of the year:
When will we see the Harvest Moon?
The full Harvest Moon will arrive Saturday, Sept. 26, and reach peak illumination at 12:49 p.m. ET, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The moon will appear nearly full for several nights around its peak. Because the Harvest Moon occurs near the autumnal equinox, the time between sunset and moonrise is typically shorter than usual, giving farmers extra moonlight in the evening.
Why is it called the Harvest Moon?
The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, which falls Tuesday, Sept. 22, this year. The Harvest Moon can occasionally occur in October,
as it did in 2025.
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the name dates back centuries and refers to the extra light provided by the moon around harvest time, allowing farmers to work later into the evening before electric lighting was widely available.
Because of its timing near the start of fall, the Harvest Moon has become one of the best-known full moons of the year.
What else is September's full moon called?
September's full moon can be known by several other names, including the Corn Moon. The name varies among traditions and calendars, and the Corn Moon is often associated with the September full moon rather than specifically with an October Harvest Moon.
Other traditional names for September's full moon include the Autumn Moon, Falling Leaves Moon and Mating Moon.
Why does the Harvest Moon look orange?
When the Harvest Moon is low on the horizon, it can appear orange, yellow or even reddish.
The moon itself is not changing color. The effect occurs because moonlight passes through more of Earth's atmosphere when the moon is near the horizon, scattering shorter wavelengths of light and leaving more red and orange light visible.
The moon can also appear larger when it first rises. This is known as the moon illusion, an optical phenomenon in which the moon appears larger near the horizon even though its actual size and distance have not changed.
When is the October full moon in 2026?
The next full moon after the Harvest Moon will be October's Hunter's Moon on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at 12:15 a.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Harvest Moon 2026: When to see September's full moon
