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September 2026 Full Harvest Moon: Date, Meaning, and How to Watch

Full Harvest Moon September Full Moon OFA
Image Credit:
Colleen Quinnell/The Old Farmer's Almanac
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Mark your calendars! The September 2026 Full Harvest Moon peaks on Saturday, September 26, at 12:49 P.M. Eastern Time. Rising low on the horizon, it will appear bigger, brighter, and more golden than any other Moon this year, casting long light across autumn fields and evening skies.

When to See the Full Harvest Moon in September 2026

This year, September’s Full Harvest Moon will peak in illumination at 12:49 P.M. Eastern Time on Saturday, September 26. It will be below the horizon at this time, so be sure to watch for it after sunset… it will be hard to miss!

Why the Harvest Moon Is Different From Other Full Moons

The Harvest Moon is the Full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22 or 23). Unlike other Full Moons, it rises about the same time for several nights, providing extended evening light. Historically, this extra illumination helped farmers complete their harvests before fall frosts.

Read more about the Harvest Moon!

Best Times and Locations to View the Harvest Moon

  • Horizon viewing: The Moon appears largest when rising or setting.
  • Open landscapes: Fields, parks, or waterfronts add scale and drama.
  • Local timing: Peak illumination is at 12:49 P.M. EDT, but it is visible for several evenings before and after.

September 2026 Full Harvest Moon rising low in the sky with an airplane crossing in front

Is the September 2026 Full Moon a Harvest Moon or Corn Moon?

In 2026, the September Full Moon is a Harvest Moon.

Occasionally, the Full Moon closest to the equinox is actually the October Moon. When this happens, the October Moon is designated as the Harvest Moon, and the September Full Moon is named the Corn Moon.

This is because this time of year—late summer into early fall—corresponds with the time of harvesting corn in much of the northern United States. For this reason, a number of Native American peoples traditionally used some variation of the name “Corn Moon” to refer to the Moon of either August or September. Examples include Corn Maker Moon (Western Abenaki) and Corn Harvest Moon (Dakota). 

Alternative September Moon Names

Other Moon names for this month highlight how September is the transitional period between summer and fall:

  • Autumn Moon (Cree)
  • Falling Leaves Moon (Ojibwe)
  • Leaves Turning Moon (Anishinaabe)
  • Moon of Brown Leaves (Lakota)
  • Yellow Leaf Moon (Assiniboine)

The behavior of animals is also a common theme, with Child Moon (Tlingit) referring to the time when young animals are weaned, and Mating Moon and Rutting Moon (both Cree) describing the time of year when certain animals, like moose, elk, and deer, are looking to mate.

→ Read more about Full Moon names and their traditional meanings here.

Moon Phases for September 2026

september moon phases including the full harvest moon

Here are the Moon phase dates and times (EDT) for the month of September. Check our Moon Phase Calendar for dates and times in your city.

Moon Phases for September 2026
Last QuarterLast Quarter: September 4, 3:51 A.M. EDT
New MoonNew Moon: September 10, 11:27 P.M. EDT
First Quarter: September 18, 4:44 P.M. EDT
Full Moon: September 26, 12:49 P.M. EDT

When is the next Full Moon? Consult our Full Moon Calendar to find out.

September Full Moon Video

Why does the Moon ride high or low in the sky? Find out the answer to this question—and learn more about September’s Full Moon—in this entertaining video.


 

Best Days in September 2026

Below are the best days for activities, based on the Moon’s sign and phase in September.

ActivityBest Days
Harvesting aboveground crops14, 15
Harvesting belowground crops5, 6
Setting Eggs3, 4, 20-22, 30
Fishing10-26

→ See Best Days for more activities.

harvest-moon-oil-painting-2-e1471695114941.jpg

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called the Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon is the Full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. It rises shortly after sunset for several nights in a row, providing extra evening light that once helped farmers gather crops before the first frost.

Will the Harvest Moon look bigger than usual?

Yes. Because it rises low on the horizon, the Harvest Moon often appears larger and more golden due to the Moon illusion, especially just after moonrise.

Is the September 2026 Full Moon a supermoon?

No, the September 2026 Harvest Moon is not classified as a supermoon, but it can still appear impressively large and bright when viewed near the horizon.

Why does the Harvest Moon rise earlier than other Full Moons?

Around the autumnal equinox, the Moon’s path across the sky is at a shallow angle, causing it to rise only about 30 minutes later each night, instead of the usual 50 minutes.

Are you a Full Moon lover? Share your thoughts below!

Full Moon Names

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the digital home of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. She leads digital editorial strategy and publishing across a wide range of Almanac sub...

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Barbara</span> Sat, 09/26/2026 - 18:05
You say the Full moon will rise at 12:26 pm, On September 26. Do you mean 12:26 am EDT? You can’t see the moon at 12:26 pm. I won’t be able to tonight since it is raining this weekend.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/jennifer-keating">Jennifer Keating</a> Mon, 09/28/2026 - 09:04
The 12:26 P.M. time refers to the exact moment the Moon reaches peak illumination, not moonrise. Moonrise varies by location and occurs near sunset during a full Moon. It will also appear full the evening before and after, so hopefully the clouds clear enough for you to enjoy it!
<span>Joyce</span> Fri, 08/21/2026 - 23:43
I've always loved to watch the moon cycles, I love watching the rising of the full moons and I'm an early morning walker in the summer months and marvel at the beauty of the moon. To quote Neil Diamond, " Looked up in wonder at the same moon and wept when it was all done, for being done too soon".
<span>Traci</span> Tue, 09/17/2024 - 10:26
I love that you also told us what the native tribes called the moon I love hearing about our native American culture
<span>Kathryn Carlson</span> Tue, 09/17/2024 - 06:58
Yes! I love seeing the full Harvest moon! It is the end of the planting and growing season and the beginning of the cold weather! Our garden is over, and we take out the old corn stalks and get the soil prepared for next spring. The wood chips keep moisture in the ground and turns into compost,
<span>Deb</span> Sat, 09/06/2025 - 17:39
I have a few garden areas in South Texas, near the coast. I am interested to know how your seasonal change affects your garden plan. I love the idea of 4 full seasons, but we have hot, and not. But I do love the chance to extend growing into the deep Fall. Thank you, Deb
<span>Ccchristie</span> Fri, 09/29/2023 - 20:11
In addition to the Harvest Moon, at this time of year I am also interested in Michaelmas Day (9/29) since I first saw it mentioned in an Agatha Christie novel just a few years ago. She talked about “Michaelmas Daisies” in her book. I had never heard of this so of course I looked it up in the Old Farmer’s Almanac and got my answer!
<span>Sharon Filson</span> Fri, 09/29/2023 - 12:04
It is September 29, '23 and the full moon is tonight. I have been, for several years now, planting and transplanting by the moon phases and I have much greater success with it now. My gramps taught me to how read and comprehend the Frmers Almonac when in my early 20s. I wheind my children, lost weight and cut our hair with its info among so so many other tasks and behaviors. I'm so very glad we have this tool and that I learned from Gramps how to read and use it. He was a farmer, my dad a rancher who also used it for certain things to do with animals.
<span>Sherri</span> Fri, 09/29/2023 - 09:14
I was born on a full moon on 3/26 at 3:19 pm during the worst blizzard in 25 years. Many years later my daughter was born on 8/7 on a full moon at 9:13 pm during an absolutely wild, intense New England thunderstorm. Both of our births were a stones throw from the ocean. Love love love the full moon and the ocean
<span>Carla South</span> Fri, 09/29/2023 - 08:02
I love reading about the moon. It is so beautiful. I also love the stars, plants and reading the almanac finding out all the reasons of things. Reading to see what the weather will be like. The almanac has been in our families for years. Thank you