April's Pink Moon will light up the sky. Don't let the name fool you. - GRIF MAG

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Wednesday, April 1, 2026

April's Pink Moon will light up the sky. Don't let the name fool you.

April's Pink Moon will light up the sky. Don't let the name fool you.

It's noApril Fool's joke. The first full moon of spring, called the Pink Moon, will land on April 1.

USA TODAY

According to theFarmer's Almanac, the full moon will peak around 10:12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, giving backyard astronomers a great start to the month. Despite its name, the moon won't actually look pink.

April's Pink Moon is also known as the Paschal Moon because it takes place after the spring equinox, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. It's known by multiple names, including the Breaking Ice Moon and the Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs.

The next full moon will occur on May 1 and is known as the Flower Moon. There will actually be two full moons in May, a phenomenon commonly known as a "blue moon."

The crew of Artemis II (from left) Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman pose for pictures as their ride to the moon is transported from the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. to the launch pad Jan. 17, 2026. <p style=The Space Launch System rocket Artemis II begins its journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Pad 39B March 19, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The sun rises over Kennedy Space Center and NASA's Space Launch System vehicle Artemis II, March 24, 2026. Artemis II begins its journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. to the launch pad Jan. 17, 2026. NASA's Space Launch System rocket Artemis II is rolled back into the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, Fla,, February 25, 2026. NASA's Space Launch System rocket Artemis II is rolled back into the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, FL February 25, 2026. The full moon rises as Artemis II sits on Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center Feb. 1, 2026. The astronauts of Artemis II (from left) Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch leave crew quarters Dec. 20, 2025 during their pre-launch rehearsal. The first full moon in June, called the Strawberry Moon, sets over the Orion capsule atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket just before dawn at Kennedy Space Center on June 15, 2022. NASA's Artemis I lifts off from Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Fla., Nov. 16, 2022 NASA's Space Launch System rocket arcs into the sky on its maiden voyage, as seen from Harbortown Marina in Merritt Island. The moon, the destination of the Artemis I mission, is visible at top right. After delays and scrubs, the rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center at 1:47 a.m., Nov. 16, 2022.

Inside NASA's Artemis mission to the moon

When does April's full moon peak?

April's full moon will peak on Wednesday, April 1, at 10:12 p.m. ET.

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Why is it called the 'Pink Moon'?

An almost full moon rises over Fort Myers Beach on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

April's full moon is called the "Pink Moon" not because of its color, which will in reality have more of a golden hue, but because of the pink flower, known as creeping phlox or moss phlox, that was in full bloom during the month's full moon, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Other names for the moon include the following:

  • Breaking Ice Moon

  • Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs

  • Moon When the Ducks Come Back

  • Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs

  • Frog Moon

  • The Sucker Moon

List of full moons in 2026

The moon will be full on the following dates, according to theFarmer's Almanac:

  • Pink Moon: Peaks April 1, at 10:12 p.m. ET

  • Flower Moon: Peaks May 1, at 1:23 p.m. ET

  • Blue Moon: Peaks May 31, at 4:45 a.m. ET. The blue moon occurs when two full moons occur in the same month. The last blue moon occurred on Aug. 19, 2024, according to Space.com.

  • Strawberry Moon: Peaks June 29, at 7:57 p.m. ET

  • Buck Moon: Peaks July 29, at 10:36 a.m. ET

  • Sturgeon Moon (partial lunar eclipse): Peaks Aug. 28, at 12:18 a.m. ET

  • Harvest Moon: Peaks Sept. 26, at 12:49 p.m. ET

  • Hunter's Moon: Peaks Oct. 26, at 12:12 a.m. ET

  • Beaver Moon (super moon): Peaks Nov. 24, at 9:53 a.m. ET

  • Cold Moon (super moon): Peaks Dec. 23, at 8:28 p.m.

Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andTikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What is the Pink Moon? See details on April's full moon.