When Is the Next Supermoon?
The next supermoon is Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 17:35 UTC, the Beaver Moon — in 128 days.
2 supermoons in 2026
Upcoming supermoons
| Date (UTC) | Name | Distance | vs. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 24, 2026 | Beaver Moon | 367,177 km | −17,223 km |
| Thu, Dec 24, 2026 | Cold Moon | 364,322 km | −20,078 km |
| Fri, Jan 22, 2027 | Wolf Moon | 364,832 km | −19,568 km |
| Wed, Jan 12, 2028 | Wolf Moon | 366,872 km | −17,528 km |
| Thu, Feb 10, 2028 | Snow Moon | 364,177 km | −20,223 km |
| Sat, Mar 11, 2028 | Worm Moon | 365,318 km | −19,082 km |
| Wed, Feb 28, 2029 | Snow Moon | 366,109 km | −18,291 km |
| Fri, Mar 30, 2029 | Worm Moon | 364,104 km | −20,296 km |
Times are UTC. Distance is centre-to-centre; the average full moon sits about 384,400 km away.
What is a supermoon?
The Moon's orbit is an ellipse, not a circle, so its distance from Earth swings between about 356,500 km at perigee (closest) and 406,700 km at apogee (farthest). A supermoon is a full moon that lands near perigee — within roughly 90% of the closest approach — so it appears slightly larger and brighter than an ordinary full moon.
The effect is real but gentle: up to about 7% wider and 15% brighter than an average full moon. Supermoons tend to come in runs of three or four in a row, then disappear for months, as the full-moon date slowly laps the Moon's changing distance.
How to watch a supermoon
Catch it as it rises in the east around sunset — that is when the difference shows. Low on the horizon, beside trees, hills or buildings, the Moon looks enormous (the "moon illusion"), and a supermoon exaggerates the effect. An hour later, high overhead, it just looks like a bright full moon.
Photographing it? Shoot at moonrise with a distant landmark in frame for scale and warm colour. A long lens compresses the Moon against the foreground and sells the size. The disk is flatly lit when full, so don't expect crater relief — that comes a few nights either side.
Frequently Asked
When is the next supermoon?
The next supermoon is Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 17:35 UTC, the Beaver Moon — about 128 days from now.
How many supermoons are there in 2026?
There are 2 supermoons in 2026. Supermoons usually arrive in a run of three or four consecutive full moons, because the timing of the full moon and the Moon's closest approach drift slowly into and out of alignment.
What makes a full moon a supermoon?
A supermoon is a full moon that happens near perigee — the Moon's closest point to Earth. The Moon's orbit is an ellipse, so its distance varies from about 356,500 km to 406,700 km. When a full moon falls within roughly 90% of perigee (closer than about 367,600 km), it counts as a supermoon.
Is a supermoon really bigger and brighter?
Yes, but subtly. A supermoon is up to about 7% larger and 15% brighter than an average full moon, and up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the year's most distant full moon (a "micromoon"). The difference is hard to judge by eye high in the sky, but striking when it rises near the horizon.