January Full Moon Date 2026: How to see the Wolf Moon and how the first full moon of the year got its name
Want to see the first full moon of the year? We have all the details you need.
It's a sight that has inspired myths, superstitions and awe through the centuries - when the night sky is lit up by the seemingly-perfect glowing sphere of a full moon.
We experience one full moon every month, with each on given a different evocative name.
Here's how to see the first one of 2026 - the ferocious-sounding Wolf Moon. Just keep a lookout for werewolves.
What is a full moon?
A full moon is when moon appears as a complete circle in the sky. The moon produces no light of its own, so this only happens when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun - meaning the whole of the near side of the moon is fully lit up.
When is the Wolf Moon in 2026?
The next full moon or ‘Wolf Moon’ will reach its peak on Saturday, January 3, at 10.03am. This time only applies to the UK however as when the full moon rises and sets depends on where you are on the planet. Don’t worry that it’s light, or if it’s cloudy, when it reaches its peak - it’ll still appear full over the entire night.
What is a Wolf Moon?
The January full moon is often called a 'Wolf Moon’ as it dates back to ancient times when hungry wolves would howl outside human settlements at this time of year. It is thought that many native American tribes used the name, which was then brought over to Europe where it stuck. Other names for the January full moon include the Old Moon and the Ice Moon.
Read more: Full Moons 2026: Here's when all 13 full moons of the year take place and their names - including a Blue Moon
Why do full moons have different names?
Full moon names are often attributed to Native American tribes that would give full moons nicknames to keep track of them as they didn’t record time using months found in the Julian or Gregorian calendar. Most of the names were linked to a specific event, for example the Worm Moon relates to a time of year when the ground starts to thaw and worms are able to wriggle up to the surface.
Other moons like the blood moon were thought to be caused by Jaguars who attacked the moon and left it bleeding hence the red colour. These lunar systems and their names differed between tribes but it seems Colonial Americans adopted some of these names and incorporated them into their own calendar systems.
When are the other full moons of 2026?
Here’s when you can see the other full moons of 2026 - and their names:
February 1 - ‘Snow Moon’
March 3 - ‘Worm Moon’
April 2 - ‘Pink Moon’
May 1 - ‘Flower Moon’
May 31 - ‘Blue Moon’
June 30 - ‘Strawberry Moon’
July 29 - ‘Buck Moon’
August 28 - ‘Sturgeon Moon’
September 26 - ‘Harvest Moon’
October 26 - ‘Hunter’s Moon’
November 24 - ‘Beaver Moon’
December 24 - ‘Cold Moon’
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