The July Full Moon
Buck Moon
July's full moon, named for the season antlers regrow on bucks.
The next Buck Moon is full on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 15:01 UTC.
Why it's called the Buck Moon
In July, the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full growth, sheathed in velvet — so the month's full moon became the Buck Moon.
July's full moon marks the season when bucks push new antlers, soft with velvet, toward their summer span. The name is a quiet record of how closely the old calendars watched the animals around them.
It was also the Thunder Moon, for the frequent summer storms, and the Hay Moon, for the first cutting of the year's hay.
July's full moon is also known as the Thunder Moon, the Hay Moon.
Watching the Buck Moon
A full moon rises in the east around sunset and stays up all night, setting near sunrise — so any clear evening close to Wed, July 29 you can watch it climb once it gets dark. It looks biggest and most golden in the first hour after it rises, sitting low on the horizon.
Photographing it? A full moon is flatly lit and shows little crater relief — frame it against a landscape, hills or skyline just after moonrise for scale and warm colour. For sharp crater detail, shoot a night or two before or after full, when shadows return along the terminator.
Buck Moon dates
| Year | Date (UTC) | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wed, July 29 | 15:01 |
| 2027 | Sun, July 18 | 13:47 |
| 2028 | Thu, July 6 | 14:35 |
| 2029 | Wed, July 25 | 10:58 |
| 2030 | Mon, July 15 | 00:24 |
Times are UTC, computed from lunar geometry — local clock times vary by your time zone.
Frequently Asked
When is the Buck Moon in 2026?
The Buck Moon in 2026 is full on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 15:01 UTC. It is the full moon of July.
Why is it called the Buck Moon?
In July, the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full growth, sheathed in velvet — so the month's full moon became the Buck Moon.
What else is the July full moon called?
Besides the Buck Moon, July's full moon is also known as the Thunder Moon, the Hay Moon.
Is the Buck Moon a supermoon in 2026?
No — the 2026 Buck Moon on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 is a regular full moon. It is not close enough to the Moon's perigee to count as a supermoon.