October's full moon is almost here, and it's arriving just in time to add a little extra glow to spooky season.
The Hunter Moon will peak on Monday, Oct. 26, days before Halloween. Those hoping to see a full moon on Halloween night will have to wait much longer: The next Halloween full moon won't occur until 2039, according to NASA.
Here's what to know about October's full moon, including when it peaks and the best time to see it.
When will the Hunter Moon peak?
October's full Hunter Moon will peak on Monday, Oct. 26, at 12:12 a.m. ET, according to the Farmer's Almanac.
The moon will appear full around its peak, giving skywatchers opportunities to catch it Sunday night and again after the official peak.
When is the best time to see the October full moon?
For the best view, look for the moon around the time it reaches peak illumination
early Monday.
The moon should also appear full around the peak, so skywatchers who miss the precise moment will still have a chance to see it.
As always, visibility will depend on local weather conditions.
Why is it called the Hunter Moon?
October's full moon is known as the Hunter Moon this year.
The name has traditionally been associated with the time of year when people prepared for winter by hunting after the harvest.
The Hunter Moon and Harvest Moon don't always fall in the same month. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox, meaning it can fall in either September or October. In 2026, the Harvest Moon occurred in September, making October's full moon the Hunter Moon.
The moon is also known by the following names, according to AccuWeather:
- Dying Grass Moon
- Travel Moon
- Sanguine Moon
- Waking Moon
Will there be a full moon on Halloween 2026?
No. Halloween falls several days after the Hunter Moon reaches its peak on Oct. 26.
Halloween full moons are relatively uncommon. The next one will occur in 2039, according to NASA.
Full moons remaining in 2026
After October's Hunter Moon, two full moons remain on the 2026 calendar:
- Beaver Moon (supermoon): Peaks Nov. 24 at 9:53 a.m. ET
- Cold Moon (supermoon): Peaks Dec. 23 at 8:28 p.m. ET
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: October's Hunter Moon is coming. When to see it
