Harvest moon rises: Your guide to September's full moon

Full Harvest Moon lights up the night sky on Saturday, September 26, 2026, peaking at 12:49 p.m. EDT (1649 GMT).

The Harvest Moon is named so due to its proximity to the September equinox, which falls on September 33 this year. Unlike most full moons that rise roughly 50 minutes later each night, the Harvest Moon rises at nearly the same time for several consecutive evenings in the Northern Hemisphere.

This phenomenon is due to the shallow angle of the moon’s orbit relative to the horizon, providing extended evening light for pre-industrial farmers bringing in their crops, as per the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

While the exact moment of peak illumination occurs during the day, the best views come at moonrise. On September 26, New York City will see the moon rise at 6:34 p.m. EDT, just 12 minutes before sunset, bathing the lunar disk in a striking yellow-orange hue due to Rayleigh scattering. There’ll also be a moon illusion that will make it appear unusually larger near the horizon.

The Harvest Moon also coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. Additionally, Saturn will shine less than 10 degrees to the moon’s lower left, providing a spectacular target for telescope users.

This event kicks off a trio of supermoons to close out 2026, with the Hunter’s Moon on October 24, the Beaver Moon on November 24, and the Cold Moon on December 24. For the best experience, find local moonrise time and head outside just after sunset.