Calendars & Events
New Moon Calendar 2026
Every new moon of 2026, from Sun, Jan 18 to Tue, Dec 8, with the run of moon-free nights around each one and whether the Milky Way's core is up.
- New moons
- 12
- Jan 18 to Dec 8
- Longest dark run
- 14 nights
- Nov 2 – 15
- With the core up
- 9 of 12
- New moons in Milky Way season
- Blue moon
- Sun, May 31
- Second full moon in a month
2026 new moon dates
The darkest skies of each month fall on the nights around new moon, when the moon rises and sets with the sun. The moon-free column counts the nights when the moon is below the horizon for most of the dark hours, not just the new-moon night itself.
| New moon | Time | Moon-free nights | Milky Way core |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jan 18 | 2:52 pm ET11:52 am PT | Jan 11 – 2313 nights | Out of season |
| Tue, Feb 17 | 7:01 am ET4:01 am PT | Feb 10 – 2112 nights | 3:32 am – 5:18 am1 h 46 min in a dark sky |
| Wed, Mar 18 | 9:24 pm ET6:24 pm PT | Mar 11 – 2212 nights | 2:38 am – 5:38 am3 h in a dark sky |
| Fri, Apr 17 | 7:52 am ET4:52 am PT | Apr 9 – 2113 nights | 12:40 am – 4:48 am4 h 9 min in a dark sky |
| Sat, May 16 | 4:01 pm ET1:01 pm PT | May 9 – 2012 nights | 10:46 pm – 4:06 am5 h 20 min in a dark sky |
| Sun, Jun 14 | 10:54 pm ET7:54 pm PT | Jun 9 – 1911 nights | 10:13 pm – 3:47 am5 h 34 min in a dark sky |
| Tue, Jul 14 | 5:44 am ET2:44 am PT | Jul 9 – 2012 nights | 10:07 pm – 3:35 am5 h 28 min in a dark sky |
| Wed, Aug 12 | 1:37 pm ET10:37 am PT | Aug 7 – 1913 nights | 9:31 pm – 1:41 am4 h 10 min in a dark sky |
| Thu, Sep 10 | 11:27 pm ET8:27 pm PT | Sep 5 – 1713 nights | 8:43 pm – 11:47 pm3 h 4 min in a dark sky |
| Sat, Oct 10 | 11:50 am ET8:50 am PT | Oct 4 – 1613 nights | 7:56 pm – 9:49 pm1 h 54 min in a dark sky |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 2:02 am ET11:02 pm PT (Nov 8) | Nov 2 – 1514 nights | Out of season |
| Tue, Dec 8 | 7:52 pm ET4:52 pm PT | Dec 2 – 1413 nights | Out of season |
2026 full moon dates
Full moons are the nights to avoid for faint targets: a full moon is up from sunset to sunrise and brightens the whole sky. They're good nights for moonlit landscapes, scouting a site, or the moon itself through binoculars.
| Full moon | Time |
|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 3 | 5:03 am ET · 2:03 am PT |
| Sun, Feb 1 | 5:09 pm ET · 2:09 pm PT |
| Tue, Mar 3 | 6:38 am ET · 3:38 am PT |
| Wed, Apr 1 | 10:12 pm ET · 7:12 pm PT |
| Fri, May 1 | 1:23 pm ET · 10:23 am PT |
| Sun, May 31Blue moon | 4:45 am ET · 1:45 am PT |
| Mon, Jun 29 | 7:57 pm ET · 4:57 pm PT |
| Wed, Jul 29 | 10:36 am ET · 7:36 am PT |
| Fri, Aug 28 | 12:19 am ET · 9:19 pm PT |
| Sat, Sep 26 | 12:49 pm ET · 9:49 am PT |
| Mon, Oct 26 | 12:12 am ET · 9:12 pm PT |
| Tue, Nov 24 | 9:54 am ET · 6:54 am PT |
| Wed, Dec 23 | 8:28 pm ET · 5:28 pm PT |
The nights around new moon
In the days before new moon, a thin waning crescent rises shortly before dawn, so the evening and most of the night are dark. In the days after, a waxing crescent sets soon after the sun. That gives three or four good nights on each side, and the moon-free column above shows exactly how many.
Past first quarter, the moon is up for most of the evening and bright enough to wash out the Milky Way. Our guide to moon phases goes through what each phase means for the sky.
Frequently asked questions
How many new moons are there in 2026?
12. The first is on Sun, Jan 18 and the last on Tue, Dec 8 (Eastern time).
What are the darkest nights of 2026?
The few nights either side of each new moon, when the moon is below the horizon for most of the dark hours. The longest moon-free run of the year at 37°N is Nov 2 – 15 (14 nights).
Is there a blue moon in 2026?
Yes. May 2026 has two full moons; the second, on Sun, May 31, is a blue moon by the popular definition.
Is the new moon the best night for stargazing?
It's one of several. A thin crescent sets soon after the sun in the days after new moon and rises shortly before dawn in the days before it, so three or four nights either side are nearly as dark. Clouds decide more nights than the moon does, so check the forecast for your spot.