October full moon 2025: When is the supermoon, and what is it called?
October's full moon is here, and it’s a supermoon, the first of three consecutive supermoons. That means it’ll appear bigger and brighter in the sky than usual, perfect for late-night stargazing.
Alongside all this, October's full moon marks an important point in the lunar calendar, with seasonal significance. Here’s when it's due, what it’s called, and what it means.
When is the October full moon?
October's full moon will occur on Sunday, Oct. 6, and Monday, Oct. 7, depending on where you are in the world.
You May Also Like
In E.T., the full moon will reach its peak at 11:47 p.m. on Oct. 6. however, in BST, the peak occurs at 4:47 a.m. on Oct. 7, according to Time And Date.
The previous full moon was on Sept. 7.
What is the October full moon called?
Full moons all have their own names, a custom from early cultures that used the lunar cycle to follow time and seasonal shifts.
The full moon closest to the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon. In 2025, that falls in October, so this full moon takes the name Harvest Moon instead of the usual Hunter’s Moon.
This full moon is also a supermoon, meaning it appears larger and brighter in the sky because it's closer to Earth during its orbit, and will be the first of three consecutive supermoons, according to NASA.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon is predicted to occur on Nov. 5, 2025, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.
What are the lunar phases?
The full moon is just one day of the lunar phase, which is a 29.5-day cycle of the moon's orbit. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible.
There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:
New Moon — The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent — A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
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.
Last Quarter (or Third 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.
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.
