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Moon phases 2026: When is the next Full Moon?

Skywatchers can look forward to a bright start to February with the Snow Moon reaching its peak, marking the second Full Moon of the year.

BY RAJ NAIK

PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO

The Wolf Moon, the first full moon of the year, sets behind Downside Abbey on January 4, 2026, in Glastonbury, England (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty | Matt Cardy)

The second Full Moon of 2026 is anticipated to be seen early in the coming month, delivering to the observers a luminous vista at the height of winter. The mesmerizing lunar phenomenon, typically referred to as the Snow Moon, is going to reach its peak brightness at 5:09 PM EST on Sunday, February 1, according to the Almanac.

A 97 percent illuminated waning gibbous Snow Moon rises behind people visiting the EdgeNYC outdoor observation deck at Hudson Yards in New York City on February 13, 2025, as seen from Hoboken, New Jersey. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

The customary names of full moons, used by sources such as The Old Farmer's Almanac, have been influenced by a historical mixture of Native American, colonial, and European cultures. In the past, these names not only referred to the single night but also were applied to the whole lunar month. The "Snow Moon" is probably the most realistic among the names since February is statistically the month that brings the most amount of snowfall in the United States.

A full Cold Moon supermoon rises behind holiday lights on December 5, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images) — A full Cold Moon supermoon rises behind holiday lights on December 5, 2025, in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

As for the time of moonrise on February 1, that depends on where you are, per Timeanddate.com. In New York, the Moon will rise at 5:03 p.m. local time and then set the next morning at 7:38 a.m. Observers in Chicago will be able to see the Moon rise at 4:57 p.m. local time before it sets at 7:36 a.m. the next day. In San Diego, the moonrise is set for 5:23 p.m. local time, and moonset is scheduled for 7:20 a.m. the next day. On the other hand, people in Los Angeles will get to see the Moon rise at 5:25 p.m. local time. It will disappear below the horizon at 7:27 a.m. the next day.

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As for the first Full Moon of the year, also called the Wolf Moon, it reached its peak on Saturday, January 3, at 5:03 a.m. EST. This event was also a Supermoon, meaning it was somewhat larger and more luminous than the average Moon, and it was very special because it marked the closure of a four-month Supermoon cycle that started last October. People who didn't get to see the Supermoon in January will have to wait until November 2026 for the next one.

A 97 percent illuminated waning gibbous Snow Moon rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan, Hudson Yards and the Empire State Building in New York City on February 13, 2025, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) — A 97 percent illuminated waning gibbous Snow Moon rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan, Hudson Yards, and the Empire State Building in New York City on February 13, 2025, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

The Snow Moon marks merely the onset of a busy month for skywatchers. By the end of February, a seldom-seen "planet parade" will be in full view for the stargazers. The six planets, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune, would be more or less in a straight line. Jupiter would be very hard to miss because of its brightness, while the others might require a telescope and a western horizon view right after sunset to be seen. Besides, there will be a solar eclipse on February 17, with a New Moon also scheduled for the same day. While it will be an annular solar eclipse and is expected to be seen from Antarctica, some parts of South America and Africa will get to see a partial eclipse.