Is it a full moon tonight? No. According to Calendarr’s UK moon phase page, the moon is currently in a waxing gibbous phase with 86.46% illumination. The next full moon will occur on 31 May 2026 at 09:46 UK time. The moon is visible tonight across the UK.
This article provides an immediate status check, UK-specific timings, and a look at other celestial events. Whether you are in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh, you will find the information needed for night-sky observation.
Is It a Full Moon Tonight?
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Tonight’s Moon Phase | Waxing Gibbous |
| Is It a Full Moon? | No (next full moon: 31 May 2026) |
| Moonrise Tonight (London) | 20:45 BST |
| Illumination | 86.46% |
- The most searched variation is “is it a full moon tonight uk” (5,400 monthly searches), indicating strong UK-centric demand.
- Users often combine full moon queries with meteor shower and eclipse searches, suggesting an interest in planning night-sky observation.
- Top SERP results lack immediate yes/no answers, creating an opportunity to capture featured snippets and AI Overview placements.
- Timing queries (“what time is full moon tonight uk”) have low volume but high intent for local precision.
- Moon phase data is updated daily; the next full moon is precisely known.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Phase | Waxing Gibbous |
| Full Moon Tonight? | No |
| Next Full Moon Date | 31 May 2026 |
| Last Full Moon Date | 1 May 2026 |
| Illumination Percentage | 86.46% |
| Moonrise Time (London) | 20:45 BST |
| Moonset Time (London) | 05:12 BST |
What Time Is the Full Moon Tonight in the UK?
Full Moon Peak Time (GMT/BST)
The next full moon peaks on 31 May 2026 at 09:46 BST. Because tonight is not a full moon, there is no peak time for tonight. However, the moon will appear full on the nights just before and after that precise moment.
Moonrise and Moonset Times by City (London, Manchester, Edinburgh)
Moonrise and moonset vary with location. For London, moonrise tonight is at 20:45 BST and moonset at 05:12 BST. For precise local times, use a tool like Timeanddate’s moon phase calculator.
All times given are in British Summer Time (BST). If you live in a different time zone, adjust accordingly. The exact second of full moon is defined astronomically and may occur during daylight hours.
When Is the Next Full Moon?
Next Full Moon Date and Time
The next full moon is on Sunday, 31 May 2026 at 09:46 BST. Astronomy.com lists the same event at 08:45 GMT, which is one hour earlier. Once British Summer Time is applied, the two sources agree. This full moon is also a Blue Moon because it is the second full moon in May.
Full Moon Names and Significance
The May full moon is traditionally called the Flower Moon. Other names include Milk Moon and Corn Planting Moon. Because it falls as the second full moon in a calendar month, it qualifies as a Blue Moon – a term that does not refer to colour but to frequency.
A Blue Moon does not actually appear blue. The term is used for the second full moon in a calendar month. The next Blue Moon after May 2026 occurs in August 2027.
What Was the Date of the Last Full Moon?
Last Full Moon Date and Phase Details
The last full moon took place on 1 May 2026 at 16:33 UTC. After that peak, the moon entered its waning phase before reaching the current waxing gibbous stage. Since then, illumination has been increasing nightly.
What Other Celestial Events Are Happening Tonight?
Meteor Shower Activity Tonight
No major meteor showers are active tonight over the UK. The next prominent display will be the Perseids in August. For a full schedule, see the British Astronomical Association’s meteor calendar.
Lunar Eclipse Forecast
No lunar eclipse is scheduled for tonight. The next total lunar eclipse visible from the UK occurs in 2027. None of the recent or upcoming full moons coincide with an eclipse.
Aurora Borealis Visibility in the UK
Aurora borealis is unlikely tonight. Geomagnetic activity is low, and forecasts show no significant displays over UK skies. Real-time aurora alerts are available from space weather services.
When Are the Next Five Full Moons in 2026?
- 31 May 2026 – Full Moon (Flower/Blue Moon) at 04:45 UTC
- 29 June 2026 – Full Moon (Strawberry Moon) at 12:57 UTC
- 29 July 2026 – Full Moon (Buck Moon) at 20:35 UTC
- 27 August 2026 – Full Moon (Sturgeon Moon) at 05:18 UTC
- 25 September 2026 – Full Moon (Harvest Moon) at 15:50 UTC
What Is Certain and Uncertain About Tonight’s Moon Phase?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Tonight’s phase is waxing gibbous with 86.46% illumination. | Exact moonrise and moonset times vary by location within the UK. |
| The next full moon is on 31 May 2026 at 09:46 BST. | “Tonight” depends on your time zone; if the full moon peak occurs during daytime, the moon appears full that night. |
| The last full moon was on 1 May 2026. | Minor discrepancies of a few minutes exist between different astronomical sources due to rounding and time zone handling. |
Why Do So Many People Ask “Is It a Full Moon Tonight?”
The query “is it a full moon tonight” is a high-frequency informational search. Users want an immediate, unambiguous answer. Existing SERP results often force people to interpret moon phase icons or scroll through calendars. By providing a concise yes/no at the top plus contextual data – time, illumination, related events – this content can better serve both organic search and AI Overviews. Competitor weaknesses include no direct answer, no UK city focus, and no integration of related celestial events.
For local weather conditions that may affect viewing, see BBC Weather Weston Super Mare – 14-Day Forecast and Updates.
Where Does the Data Come From?
“A full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise.”
“The moon phase for today is a Waxing Gibbous with 87.7% illumination.”
— Timeanddate.com Moon Phase Calculator
“The next full moon visible from the UK will occur on May 31, 2026.”
What to Do Next
Bookmark this page for nightly updates, explore UK Met Office Heatwave – Status, Forecast and Thresholds for related weather information, and check live trackers for meteor showers and aurora. Guides on the best time to see the Milky Way in the UK and upcoming solar eclipses are also available.
How long does a full moon last?
Technically a full moon lasts only a moment (when the sun and moon are exactly opposite). However, the moon appears full for about three days centered on that moment.
Why is the moon sometimes visible during the day?
The moon orbits Earth and reflects sunlight; it can appear in the sky during daytime depending on its phase and position relative to the sun.
Does a full moon affect human behavior?
Scientific studies have not found consistent evidence linking the full moon to significant changes in human behavior, though folklore persists.
What is a blue moon?
A blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month or the third full moon in a season with four full moons. It does not actually appear blue.
Is the moon visible tonight?
Yes, the moon is in a waxing gibbous phase and is visible across the UK tonight, weather permitting.
What is a waxing gibbous moon?
It is the phase when the moon is more than half illuminated but not yet full, occurring after the first quarter and before the full moon.
Sophie Chen is News & Politics Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering UK and world news, politics, policy and current affairs.