The May Full Moon
Flower Moon
May's full moon, rising over a landscape in full bloom.
The next Flower Moon is full on Thursday, May 20, 2027 at 09:47 UTC.
Why it's called the Flower Moon
By May, flowers are abundant across most of North America, and the month's full moon was simply named for them — the Flower Moon.
May's full moon arrives at the height of spring, when wildflowers blanket meadows and woodland edges. The name is as plain and lovely as the season it marks.
It was also the Corn Planting Moon, a signal to put seed in the warming ground, and the Milk Moon in old English reckoning, from the season's rich grazing.
May's full moon is also known as the Corn Planting Moon, the Milk Moon.
Watching the Flower Moon
A full moon rises in the east around sunset and stays up all night, setting near sunrise — so any clear evening close to Thu, May 20 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.
Flower Moon dates
| Year | Date (UTC) | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Fri, May 1 | 17:27 |
| 2027 | Thu, May 20 | 09:47 |
| 2028 | Mon, May 8 | 19:13 |
| 2029 | Sun, May 27 | 17:05 |
| 2030 | Fri, May 17 · Super | 11:10 |
Times are UTC, computed from lunar geometry — local clock times vary by your time zone.
Frequently Asked
When is the Flower Moon in 2027?
The Flower Moon in 2027 is full on Thursday, May 20, 2027 at 09:47 UTC. It is the full moon of May.
Why is it called the Flower Moon?
By May, flowers are abundant across most of North America, and the month's full moon was simply named for them — the Flower Moon.
What else is the May full moon called?
Besides the Flower Moon, May's full moon is also known as the Corn Planting Moon, the Milk Moon.
Is the Flower Moon a supermoon in 2027?
No — the 2027 Flower Moon on Thursday, May 20, 2027 is a regular full moon. It is not close enough to the Moon's perigee to count as a supermoon.