May 2026 will feature a rare event with two Full Moons: the Flower Moon on May 1 and a Blue Moon on May 31.
The Full Flower Moon peaks on May 1, 2026, at 1:23 P.M. EDT. This moon is named for the abundance of flowers that bloom in May.
On May 31, 2026, another Full Moon will occur at 4:45 A.M. EDT. This second Full Moon is classified as a Blue Moon because it is the second Full Moon in a single month.
The term “Blue Moon” does not refer to the color of the moon. It signifies an unusual occurrence within the lunar calendar.
The Flower Moon has historical significance and is attributed to the Algonquin peoples. Other names include Planting Moon, Milk Moon, and Budding Moon.
The Full Moon on May 31 will also be a micromoon, as it occurs near apogee—the point when the moon is farthest from Earth in its elliptical orbit.
As flowers spring forth across North America in abundance this month, this celestial event serves as a reminder of nature’s cycles.