Hunter's Moon 2026: October's Full Moon Is on Monday 26 October

By HSP · Published October 19, 2026 · 2 min read · Math & Dates

After this week's Orionid meteor shower, the next sky event is easy: no alarm and no telescope needed. As Space.com notes in its October 2026 stargazing column, the Moon reached first quarter on 18 October and keeps growing until it is full on 26 October.

Why "Hunter's Moon"?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the full moon after the Harvest Moon is often called the Hunter's Moon. NASA explains that these old names come from seasonal traditions. In autumn, farmers and hunters used the bright moonlight after sunset to gather food before winter. It's a name only: the Moon doesn't change colour or size because of it.

When and where to look

• Best moment: moonrise, close to sunset on 26 October, low in the east. A Moon near the horizon often looks bigger and more orange. That's a well-known illusion plus the effect of looking through more air.
• Find your sunset time: use our sunrise and sunset calculator, then head outside about 10 minutes before.
• Count down: set a reminder with the countdown timer.

The nights on either side (25 and 27 October) also look almost full, so a cloudy Monday isn't a disaster.

Moon and the Orionids

The growing Moon is why this year's Orionids are tricky. Read our Orionid guide for the pre-dawn dark window on 22 October.

Family moon ideas

• Sketch the Moon each evening this week and watch it fill up from half to full.
• Use binoculars to spot the dark "seas" (maria), which are old lava plains.
• Take a phone photo next to a tree or building so the Moon looks dramatic.

In many Indian homes, the Moon matters this month too. See our Hindi guide to Karwa Chauth 2026 moonrise times.

Moon-watching is free, safe and a great start for young astronomers. Just dress warmly, since late-October evenings get cold.

Updated 19 October 2026. Moon phase dates from Space.com; full-moon name background from NASA.