The Moon has been a guide for people for thousands of years. Farmers used it to plan their work. Sailors used it to read the tides. Families still use it to mark festivals and special days. Today, many of us simply enjoy looking up at a bright Full Moon or a sky full of stars on a dark New Moon night.
If you want to plan ahead for 2027, this article will help. You will find every New Moon date and every Full Moon date for the year. You will also learn what these phases mean, why the dates can look different in different places, and how to make good use of each one. Everything is written in plain English, so you can follow along even if you know nothing about astronomy.
In 2027, there are 12 Full Moons and 13 New Moons. That is because August has two New Moons. We will look at why that happens later on.
What Are Moon Phases
The Moon does not make its own light. It only reflects sunlight. Half of the Moon is always lit by the Sun, just like half of the Earth is always in daylight. But from Earth, we do not always see the lit half.
As the Moon travels around the Earth, we see different amounts of its bright side. Sometimes we see a thin curve of light. Sometimes we see half a circle. Sometimes we see the whole bright face. These changing shapes are called Moon phases.
The Moon moves around the Earth in a steady path. It takes about a month to go all the way around. During that trip, the angle between the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon keeps changing. That changing angle is what gives us the phases.
There are eight main phases. They are the New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent. The word waxing means growing. The word waning means shrinking. In this article, we focus on the two most famous phases, the New Moon and the Full Moon.
What Is a New Moon
A New Moon happens when the Moon sits between the Earth and the Sun. The side of the Moon that faces us is not lit. The bright side faces away from us, toward the Sun.
Because of this, the New Moon is almost impossible to see. It also rises and sets with the Sun, so it is lost in the bright daytime sky. You cannot spot it on the exact day. A day or two later, a thin crescent appears low in the sky just after sunset. That is the first sign of the new cycle.
The New Moon marks the start of the lunar month. Many calendars around the world begin each month at this point. It is also the best time for stargazing, because there is no moonlight to hide the stars.
What Is a Full Moon
A Full Moon happens when the Earth sits between the Sun and the Moon. The side of the Moon that faces us is fully lit. It looks like a bright, round disc.
A Full Moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise. That means it is up all night long. It is the easiest phase to see and the most popular one to photograph. On a clear night, the light from a Full Moon is strong enough to cast soft shadows on the ground.
Many cultures have given each Full Moon a special name. These names often come from the seasons, the weather, or farm work. We will go through the names for 2027 later in this article.
How Long Is One Lunar Cycle
The time from one New Moon to the next is about 29 and a half days. Astronomers call this a synodic month. It is a little longer than the time the Moon takes to circle the Earth once. The reason is that the Earth is also moving around the Sun, so the Moon needs a bit of extra time to catch up to the same position.
Because the cycle is 29 and a half days, and our calendar months are 30 or 31 days long, the phases slowly shift against the calendar. A Full Moon that falls early in one month will fall a little earlier in the next month. Over a year, there are about 12 and a third lunar cycles. That is why most years have 12 Full Moons, but some years have 13.
In 2027, each calendar month has exactly one Full Moon, so there are 12 in total. There are 13 New Moons because August has two of them.
Why Moon Phase Dates Can Change by Place
Before we look at the dates, there is one very important thing to understand. Moon phases happen at one exact moment in time. That moment is the same for everyone on Earth. But the date and the clock time depend on where you live.
Astronomers usually give the time in Coordinated Universal Time, often called UTC. UTC is the standard world time. Your local time is UTC plus or minus some hours.
Here is an example. Say a Full Moon happens at 00:46 UTC on June 19. In the United States, it is still the evening of June 18 at that moment. In Europe, it is already the early morning of June 19. In parts of Asia, it is around breakfast time on June 19.
So the date you see on your local calendar may be one day earlier or one day later than the date in this article. All the dates and times below are in UTC. Please add or subtract your own time difference to find your local date. The times are also rounded and may differ by a minute or two between sources. This does not matter for everyday use.
Remember too that the Moon looks almost full for about three days around the exact Full Moon. So if the date in your place is one day off, you will still enjoy a bright, round Moon.
All the New Moon Dates in 2027
Here are all 13 New Moons in 2027. Times are in UTC and are rounded to the nearest few minutes.
January 7 at about 20:25 UTC
February 6 at about 15:57 UTC
March 8 at about 09:30 UTC
April 6 at about 23:52 UTC
May 6 at about 11:00 UTC
June 4 at about 19:41 UTC
July 4 at about 03:03 UTC
August 2 at about 10:06 UTC
August 31 at about 17:42 UTC
September 30 at about 02:37 UTC
October 29 at about 13:38 UTC
November 28 at about 03:25 UTC
December 27 at about 20:13 UTC
Notice that there are two New Moons in August. The first is on August 2 and the second is on August 31. This is a rare treat. Some people call the second New Moon in a month a Black Moon. This is not an official science term. It is just a fun nickname.
All the Full Moon Dates in 2027
Here are all 12 Full Moons in 2027, along with their traditional names. These names come from old folk traditions, mostly from North America and Europe. Times are in UTC.
January 22 at about 12:18 UTC, the Wolf Moon
February 20 at about 23:25 UTC, the Snow Moon
March 22 at about 10:45 UTC, the Worm Moon
April 20 at about 22:28 UTC, the Pink Moon
May 20 at about 11:00 UTC, the Flower Moon
June 19 at about 00:46 UTC, the Strawberry Moon
July 18 at about 15:46 UTC, the Buck Moon
August 17 at about 07:29 UTC, the Sturgeon Moon
September 15 at about 23:05 UTC, the Harvest Moon
October 15 at about 13:48 UTC, the Hunter’s Moon
November 14 at about 03:27 UTC, the Beaver Moon
December 13 at about 16:10 UTC, the Cold Moon
A Month by Month Guide
Now let us walk through the year and see what each month brings.
January
The year starts with a New Moon on January 7 and a Full Moon on January 22. The January Full Moon is known as the Wolf Moon. The name comes from old stories about wolves howling in the cold winter nights. It is also the first Full Moon of the year, so it is a nice moment to set goals and think about the months ahead.
February
February has a New Moon on February 6 and a Full Moon on February 20. The Full Moon is called the Snow Moon, because February is often the snowiest month in the northern parts of the world. As you will read below, both of these dates are linked to eclipses, which makes February a special month for sky watchers.
March
The New Moon is on March 8 and the Full Moon is on March 22. The March Full Moon is called the Worm Moon. In many places, the ground begins to soften in March, and earthworms come out. Birds follow them. It is a sign that spring is on its way in the northern half of the world. In the southern half, it marks the start of autumn.
April
April brings a New Moon on April 6 and a Full Moon on April 20. The April Full Moon is called the Pink Moon. Do not expect a pink color, though. The name comes from a pink flower that blooms in early spring in North America. The Moon itself will look white or pale gold.
May
In May, the New Moon is on May 6 and the Full Moon is on May 20. The Full Moon is called the Flower Moon, because spring flowers are in full bloom in many places. Notice that the New Moon and the Full Moon both happen around 11:00 UTC. That is a fun coincidence.
June
The New Moon falls on June 4 and the Full Moon on June 19. The June Full Moon is called the Strawberry Moon. It marks the short season when wild strawberries are ready to pick. The Full Moon happens very early in the day in UTC, so in the Americas it will be on the evening of June 18.
July
July has a New Moon on July 4 and a Full Moon on July 18. The July Full Moon is called the Buck Moon. Male deer, called bucks, grow new antlers at this time of the year. The New Moon happens in the early hours of July 4 in UTC, so it will be July 3 in the Americas.
August
August is the busiest month of the year. There is a New Moon on August 2, a Full Moon on August 17, and a second New Moon on August 31. The August Full Moon is called the Sturgeon Moon. Sturgeon are large fish that were easy to catch in the lakes of North America at this time of year. August 2 is also the date of a famous solar eclipse, which you will read about soon.
September
The Full Moon is on September 15 and the New Moon is on September 30. The September Full Moon is the Harvest Moon. This name is given to the Full Moon that falls closest to the autumn equinox, which is around September 23. In the past, farmers used the bright light of this Moon to work late into the evening and bring in their crops.
October
The Full Moon is on October 15 and the New Moon is on October 29. The October Full Moon is called the Hunter’s Moon. After the harvest, hunters would use its light to track animals before the winter. The long October nights are also great for stargazing around the New Moon.
November
November has a Full Moon on November 14 and a New Moon on November 28. The November Full Moon is called the Beaver Moon. This was the time when beavers got ready for winter, and trappers set their traps. The Full Moon happens early in the day in UTC, so people in the Americas will see it on the night of November 13.
December
The year ends with a Full Moon on December 13 and a New Moon on December 27. The December Full Moon is called the Cold Moon, because the winter chill sets in around this time. It is a lovely sight on a frosty night. The New Moon on December 27 gives you a dark sky to close out the year with stargazing.
Eclipses in 2027
Eclipses only happen at a New Moon or a Full Moon. That is why they matter when we talk about Moon dates. A solar eclipse happens at a New Moon, when the Moon passes in front of the Sun. A lunar eclipse happens at a Full Moon, when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, so the Earth’s shadow touches the Moon.
2027 has a very exciting eclipse calendar. Here are the main events.
On February 6, there is an annular solar eclipse. In an annular eclipse, the Moon is a little too small in the sky to cover the whole Sun. It leaves a bright ring of light around the edge. This one is best seen from parts of South America and the Atlantic Ocean, and some of Africa sees a partial view.
On February 20, there is a penumbral lunar eclipse. In this kind of eclipse, the Moon passes through the lighter part of the Earth’s shadow. The change is very small. The Moon just looks a little dimmer than usual, and most people will not notice it with the naked eye.
On July 18, there is another penumbral lunar eclipse at the Full Moon.
On August 2, there is a total solar eclipse. This is the big one. During a total eclipse, the Moon fully covers the Sun, and day turns into night for a few minutes. The path of this eclipse crosses parts of southern Spain, northern Africa, and the Middle East. The eclipse is known for being very long. Near the city of Luxor in Egypt, the total phase lasts over six minutes. That is one of the longest total solar eclipses of this century. Many people will travel to see it.
On August 17, there is a third penumbral lunar eclipse at the Full Moon.
Whether you can see each eclipse depends on where you live. If you want to watch one, check a local eclipse map for your area first. For the solar eclipses, always use proper eclipse glasses. Looking at the Sun without them can damage your eyes.
The Lunar Calendar and Festivals
Many cultures follow a lunar calendar. In a lunar calendar, each month starts with a New Moon or with the first thin crescent after the New Moon. These calendars set the dates for important festivals.
The Islamic calendar is a well known example. Each month begins when the new crescent is seen. Ramadan, the month of fasting, is expected to begin in early February 2027, a day or two after the New Moon of February 6. Eid al Fitr, the festival that ends Ramadan, is expected around March 9 or 10, following the New Moon of March 8. Eid al Adha is expected in mid May, following the New Moon of May 6. The exact days depend on moon sighting in each country, so local announcements are the final word.
The Chinese calendar and many other Asian calendars also depend on the Moon. Chinese New Year always starts on a New Moon. In 2027, it falls on the New Moon of February 6, with the festival marked on that day in China. The Mid Autumn Festival is held at the time of a bright Full Moon in the autumn. In 2027, that is the Full Moon of September 15.
The Hindu calendar uses the lunar cycle too. Festivals like Diwali and Holi are set by Moon phases. Diwali is tied to a New Moon in autumn, and Holi to a Full Moon in spring. The Jewish calendar, which also follows the Moon, uses the New Moon to start each month. Easter in the Christian calendar is set by the first Full Moon after the spring equinox. In 2027, the Full Moon of March 22 is that Moon, and Easter follows on the next Sunday, March 28.
The exact festival dates can differ by a day because of local rules and moon sighting. If you need a date for a religious event, please check with your local community or an official calendar.
Best Ways to Enjoy a New Moon
The New Moon is the best time for night sky viewing. With no bright Moon in the sky, the stars look much sharper. Here are a few simple tips.
Go to a place away from city lights. A park, a field, or a rural area works well. Even a short drive out of town can make a big difference.
Give your eyes time to adjust. It takes about twenty minutes in the dark for your eyes to see faint stars. Try not to look at your phone screen during this time. If you must use your phone, turn the brightness down and use a red light setting if you have one.
Look for the Milky Way. On a dark night, far from city lights, you may see a pale band across the sky. This is our own galaxy, seen from the inside. It is best seen in summer months for the northern half of the world.
Try a star map app. Many free apps can show you the names of stars and planets when you point your phone at the sky. This turns a simple night outside into a fun lesson.
If you own a telescope or binoculars, the New Moon nights are the perfect time to look at faint objects such as star clusters, distant galaxies, and nebulae. A telescope is not needed, though. Your own eyes are enough to enjoy a beautiful sky.
Best Ways to Enjoy a Full Moon
The Full Moon is easy to enjoy. Just step outside and look up. But a little planning can make it even better.
Watch the moonrise. The most beautiful time to see a Full Moon is right when it rises, just after sunset. At that time, the Moon looks huge and often has a warm orange glow. This is partly an illusion in our brains and partly caused by the thick air near the horizon. Find a spot with a clear view of the eastern horizon, such as a hill, a beach, or a rooftop.
Take a night walk. The light of a Full Moon is bright enough to walk by on a clear night in a safe place. It can feel calm and peaceful. Bring a friend and a flashlight just in case.
Try photography. You do not need a fancy camera. A phone can take a nice picture of the Moon, especially if you include trees, buildings, or hills in the photo. The Moon itself will look small and bright in a phone photo, so a foreground gives the picture more interest. If you have a camera with a zoom lens, set it to a low brightness setting and use a tripod to keep it steady.
Look at the Moon with binoculars. Even though a Full Moon is bright, you can still see dark patches called seas and lighter areas of mountains. The best view of the craters is actually during the quarter phases, when shadows are long, but the Full Moon still has plenty to offer.
The Moon, Gardening, and Folklore
For centuries, people have linked the Moon with farming and nature. Some gardeners plant seeds when the Moon is growing and harvest when it is shrinking. Others prefer to plant just after the New Moon. Fishermen often say that fish bite differently around the New Moon and the Full Moon. Some people even say their sleep is affected by the Full Moon.
It is only fair to be honest here. Scientists have not found strong proof for most of these beliefs. The Moon does have a real and well known effect on ocean tides, but its effect on plants, animals, and people is much less clear. Still, these traditions are a lovely part of human culture. If a Moon based routine helps you stay organized and enjoy nature, there is no harm in it.
The tides are worth a closer look. At both the New Moon and the Full Moon, the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up. Their pulls on the ocean add up, and this creates higher high tides and lower low tides. These are called spring tides, even though they have nothing to do with the spring season. If you live by the sea or enjoy beach walks, the days around these Moons are the best days to check your local tide table.
Why 2027 Has Two New Moons in August
Many people wonder how a single month can have two New Moons. The answer is simple math. A lunar cycle is about 29.5 days long. Most months are 30 or 31 days long. So once in a while, a New Moon will land on the very first days of a month. The next one comes 29.5 days later, which is still inside the same month.
In 2027, the first New Moon of August happens on August 2, and the next one is on August 31. Both are inside the month of August, and so August has two.
The same math explains why some years have two Full Moons in one month. The second one is often called a Blue Moon. In 2027, this does not happen. There is exactly one Full Moon in each month, so there is no monthly Blue Moon this year.
Quick Tips for Tracking the Moon in 2027
If you want to keep up with the Moon all year, here are a few easy ways to do it.
Write the dates on a paper calendar. Use the lists in this article as a guide. Check your own time zone and mark any dates that change.
Use a Moon phase app on your phone. Many free apps give you local dates and times, and some will send a reminder before each Full Moon or New Moon.
Look at the sky yourself. Try to spot the Moon each evening for a full month. Write down what you see. In a few weeks, you will start to feel the rhythm of the lunar cycle without needing an app.
Make a small plan for each month. For example, you can decide to look at the stars on each New Moon night and take a walk on each Full Moon night. This gives you twelve or thirteen easy and free nature moments in the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Full Moons are there in 2027?
There are 12 Full Moons, one in each month.
How many New Moons are there in 2027?
There are 13 New Moons. August has two of them, on the 2nd and the 31st.
When is the first Full Moon of 2027?
The first Full Moon is on January 22. It is called the Wolf Moon.
When is the last Full Moon of 2027?
The last Full Moon is on December 13. It is called the Cold Moon.
Why does my local date look different from the one in this article?
The dates here are given in UTC. Depending on where you live, your local date may be one day earlier or later. The Moon looks nearly full for about three nights, so you can enjoy it on either date.
Is there a Blue Moon in 2027?
Not in the usual sense of two Full Moons in one month. Each month has one Full Moon.
Which eclipse should I look forward to the most?
The total solar eclipse on August 2 is the highlight of the year. It is one of the longest total solar eclipses of this century.
Conclusion
The year 2027 has a lot to offer for anyone who loves the Moon and the night sky. There are 12 Full Moons, from the Wolf Moon in January to the Cold Moon in December. There are 13 New Moons, including a rare double in August. There is a rich set of eclipses, led by the great total solar eclipse on August 2.
You do not need any special tools to enjoy these events. All you need is a clear sky, a little curiosity, and the dates in this article. Mark your calendar, remember to adjust for your own time zone, and make time to step outside. Whether you are watching a golden Harvest Moon rise or counting stars on a dark New Moon night, each phase is a chance to slow down and connect with the world above us.
Happy Moon watching in 2027.
