The March Full Moon
Worm Moon
March's full moon, marking the first thaw and the return of life to the soil.
The next Worm Moon is full on Monday, March 22, 2027 at 09:34 UTC.
Why it's called the Worm Moon
As the ground thawed in March, earthworm casts reappeared in the softening soil and earthworms drew robins — so the spring's first full moon became the Worm Moon.
March's full moon marks the thaw. The older reading points to earthworms returning to warming earth; a newer one notes the beetle larvae that emerge from bark as winter loosens. Either way, it is the moon of the ground coming back to life.
Other names track the same season: the Sap Moon, for the rising of maple sap, and the Crow Moon, for the cawing that announces winter's end. Falling near the spring equinox, it is also the Lenten Moon of the Christian calendar.
March's full moon is also known as the Sap Moon, the Crow Moon, the Lenten Moon.
Watching the Worm Moon
A full moon rises in the east around sunset and stays up all night, setting near sunrise — so any clear evening close to Mon, March 22 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.
Worm Moon dates
| Year | Date (UTC) | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tue, March 3 | 07:36 |
| 2027 | Mon, March 22 | 09:34 |
| 2028 | Sat, March 11 · Super | 01:52 |
| 2029 | Fri, March 30 · Super | 05:11 |
| 2030 | Tue, March 19 | 22:29 |
Times are UTC, computed from lunar geometry — local clock times vary by your time zone.
Frequently Asked
When is the Worm Moon in 2027?
The Worm Moon in 2027 is full on Monday, March 22, 2027 at 09:34 UTC. It is the full moon of March.
Why is it called the Worm Moon?
As the ground thawed in March, earthworm casts reappeared in the softening soil and earthworms drew robins — so the spring's first full moon became the Worm Moon.
What else is the March full moon called?
Besides the Worm Moon, March's full moon is also known as the Sap Moon, the Crow Moon, the Lenten Moon.
Is the Worm Moon a supermoon in 2027?
No — the 2027 Worm Moon on Monday, March 22, 2027 is a regular full moon. It is not close enough to the Moon's perigee to count as a supermoon.