April Full Moon 2026: See the Pink Moon
Depending on where you are in the world, April's full moon will occur on different dates. In North America, that date is April 1. Some locations will see it during the evening hours, while others will experience it in the early hours of the following day.
Keep reading to find out more about this month’s full moon.
When is the April full moon?
If you're in North America, the full moon will occur on Tuesday, April 1. Time and Date estimates it will peak at 9:11 p.m. ET.
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What is the April full moon called?
April's full moon is known as the Pink Moon. This isn't related to its color (sorry, the moon won't be big and pink tonight), but is, in fact, another indicator of Spring's arrival. According to Royal Museums Greenwich, this name comes from the arrival of a special kind of spring wildflower. Does this mean we can officially wave goodbye to winter?
When is the next full moon?
In North America, the next full moon is expected on May 1. In other time zones, it will reach fullness on May 2.
What are the lunar phases?
The full moon is just one of eight phases in the Moon’s roughly 29.5-day orbit around Earth. Each phase shows a different amount of the Moon’s surface lit by the Sun as seen from our perspective. Because we always see the same side of the Moon, the changing angle of sunlight makes it appear full, half-lit, or nearly dark at different points in its cycle.
The phases are:
New Moon — The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (so, we don't see anything).
Waxing Crescent — A small sliver of light appears on the right side
First Quarter — Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.
Waxing Gibbous — More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon — The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous — The moon starts losing light on the right side
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) — Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent — A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
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Lois Mackenzie is a freelance reporter at Mashable. Over the years she has written for many publications, covering everything from the local news to the best pair of running shoes. You can find bylines in publications including Fit&Well, Metro, and Coach magazine, usually covering deals on everything from earbuds to TVs, or guides on how to beat your half marathon time.
Lois also holds a Master's degree in Digital Journalism from Strathclyde University and obtained a Master of Arts in English Literature at the University of Aberdeen.
