June 29 Strawberry Moon to peak as summer's first full micromoon
The full moon of June, known as the Strawberry Moon, reaches its peak illumination on Monday, June 29, 2026.
Multiple almanacs list the moment at 7:56 p.m. Eastern Time, with some calculations placing it at 7:57 p.m. or 7:58 p.m. ET.
The timing shifts by time zone.
The peak falls at 4:57 p.m. PDT on June 29, though it will still be below the horizon in Oregon at that time.
The Old Farmer's Almanac lists 4:56 p.m. PST, 5:56 p.m. MT and 6:56 p.m. CT.
In Coordinated Universal Time the instant is 23:57 GMT on June 29, which translates to approximately 5:26 a.m. IST on June 30 for viewers in India.
The moon will look full for about a day on either side of its peak, so the show is not limited to one evening.
A smaller, distant full moon
This Strawberry Moon occurs just a day after apogee, the point in the moon's 29-day orbit when it is farthest from Earth.
Full moons that coincide with apogee are known as micromoons (the opposite of a supermoon) and appear about 12-14% smaller and dimmer than average.
EarthSky notes the June 29, 2026 full moon will be a micromoon visible in Sagittarius, appearing low in the southeast.
It is the first full moon of summer, coming after the solstice on June 21.
Why it is called Strawberry
The name does not describe color. June's full moon's nickname originated from the Native American Algonquian tribes in the northeastern U.S., as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota peoples.
The Old Farmer's Almanac ties the name to harvest timing.
"It actually has nothing to do with the hue of the moon, but rather marks the ripening of strawberries each June, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac."
The Farmer's Almanac adds context on the color assumption.
"While strawberries certainly are a reddish-pink color and are roundish in shape, the origin of the name 'Strawberry Moon' has nothing to do with the Moon's hue or appearance," the Farmer's Almanac says.
Other traditional names include Rose Moon, Hot Moon, and Honey Moon, reflecting early-season harvests and seasonal changes.
How and where to watch
The Strawberry Moon 2026 will appear unusually low in the sky, creating a larger-than-usual effect for Northern Hemisphere observers.
Starwalk reports it will stay unusually low, appearing golden-orange or reddish as it rises.
In the United States, the best viewing comes shortly after sunset as the moon rises in the southeastern sky. The moon reaches its highest point after midnight on June 30.
Forecasters advise checking local weather, as clear skies will ensure optimal viewing. The moon may sound colorful, but it won't appear strawberry-colored in the sky.
The name refers to the strawberry harvest season, which occurs around this time of year, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The next Strawberry Moon will occur on June 19, 2027.
