The April Full Moon
Pink Moon
April's full moon — named for spring wildflowers, not a pink color.
The next Pink Moon is full on Tuesday, April 20, 2027 at 21:58 UTC.
Why it's called the Pink Moon
The Pink Moon is named for moss phlox (Phlox subulata), one of the earliest spring wildflowers to bloom in pink carpets across eastern North America — not for any color of the Moon itself.
Despite the name, the April full moon is not pink. It borrows its color from the ground: moss phlox, an early-blooming wildflower, spreads in pink mats across the eastern woodlands just as this moon rises.
It often sets the date of Easter, falling as the first full moon after the spring equinox. Coastal traditions called it the Fish Moon, for the shad that swim upstream to spawn around this time.
April's full moon is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, the Fish Moon.
Watching the Pink Moon
A full moon rises in the east around sunset and stays up all night, setting near sunrise — so any clear evening close to Tue, April 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.
Pink Moon dates
| Year | Date (UTC) | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thu, April 2 | 00:27 |
| 2027 | Tue, April 20 | 21:58 |
| 2028 | Sun, April 9 | 11:14 |
| 2029 | Sat, April 28 · Super | 11:32 |
| 2030 | Thu, April 18 · Super | 05:51 |
Times are UTC, computed from lunar geometry — local clock times vary by your time zone.
Frequently Asked
When is the Pink Moon in 2027?
The Pink Moon in 2027 is full on Tuesday, April 20, 2027 at 21:58 UTC. It is the full moon of April.
Why is it called the Pink Moon?
The Pink Moon is named for moss phlox (Phlox subulata), one of the earliest spring wildflowers to bloom in pink carpets across eastern North America — not for any color of the Moon itself.
What else is the April full moon called?
Besides the Pink Moon, April's full moon is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, the Fish Moon.
Is the Pink Moon a supermoon in 2027?
No — the 2027 Pink Moon on Tuesday, April 20, 2027 is a regular full moon. It is not close enough to the Moon's perigee to count as a supermoon.