Full moon photographed by NASA

June full moon guide

Strawberry Moon 2026

June's Strawberry Moon reaches peak illumination on Monday, June 29, 2026 at 7:56 PM ET. Use this guide for the exact local time, meaning, and best viewing window.

Get the exact time
Peak
June 29, 2026
UTC
23:56
Best view
Near moonrise

Fast answer

When is the Strawberry Moon?

The full Strawberry Moon peaks at 23:56 UTC on June 29, 2026. In New York, that is 7:56 PM EDT. In London, it lands just after midnight on June 30 at 12:56 AM BST.

Date and timing

The 2026 peak is Monday, June 29

The full moon happens at one global instant, but calendars show different local dates depending on time zone. For North America, the headline date is Monday evening, June 29. For the UK, Europe, China, and much of Asia, the exact peak falls on Tuesday, June 30.

Peak illumination is not always the same as the prettiest viewing moment. For photos and casual skywatching, check your local moonrise and look east around sunset.

Common time zones

  • New York: June 29, 7:56 PM EDT
  • Los Angeles: June 29, 4:56 PM PDT
  • London: June 30, 12:56 AM BST
  • Shanghai: June 30, 7:56 AM CST
Detailed full moon against black space

Full moon image: NASA public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Name and meaning

Why is it called the Strawberry Moon?

Strawberry Moon is a traditional name for June's full moon. The name points to early summer and the season when wild strawberries ripen in parts of North America.

It is not a promise that the moon will turn strawberry-pink. When the moon is low, it may look amber, orange, or gold because its light travels through more of Earth's atmosphere before reaching your eyes.

Viewing checklist

How to watch the Strawberry Moon

01

Find moonrise

Search your city plus "moonrise June 29 2026" and aim for the first hour after it clears the horizon.

02

Look east

Choose a clear eastern view. Beaches, ridges, rooftops, open fields, and lake edges give the cleanest horizon.

03

Use foreground

For a better photo, frame the moon near trees, skyline, hills, or people. A telephoto lens makes it look larger.

04

Protect detail

Tap the moon to meter on phones. On cameras, start near ISO 100, f/8, and 1/125s, then adjust.

FAQ

Strawberry Moon questions

Is the Strawberry Moon the same everywhere?

Yes. The full moon moment is global, but the clock time and calendar date change by time zone.

Does the Strawberry Moon happen every June?

Usually, yes. Strawberry Moon is the common nickname for June's full moon.

Will I see it if the exact peak is during daylight?

Yes. A full moon looks full for roughly a night on either side of the exact peak, so moonrise is often the better target.

What are other names for June's full moon?

Other traditional names include Rose Moon, Hot Moon, Mead Moon, and Honey Moon, depending on culture and source.

Is there an astrology meaning?

Astrology communities often frame the June full moon as a moment of growth, harvest, and emotional clarity. That meaning is cultural, not astronomical.

Sources

Astronomy references

Dates and naming notes are cross-checked against timeanddate.com, and the Griffith Observatory moon phase table. The moon image is NASA public domain via Wikimedia Commons.