Full moon February 2026: next full moon peaks Sunday evening

Mo. Basuony

Published: January 31, 2026 9:46 PM ET

Full moon February 2026

If you’re asking when is the next full moon or searching next full moon, the answer is simple for this cycle: the full moon February 2026 peaks on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 5:09 p.m. ET. That’s the exact moment of full phase (maximum illumination), even though the Moon will look “full” to the eye for more than one night.

This is also the first full moon of 2026’s February cycle, often referred to as the Snow Moon in popular naming traditions.

When is the next full moon

The next full moon is February 1, 2026 at 5:09 p.m. ET.

If you’re reading this after that time on Sunday, the “next” one after it will be the following month’s full phase. Many lunar calendars list the next full moon after Feb. 1 as the early-March 2026 full moon, but the exact March date and time depends on the calendar reference you use.

Full moon timing vs. “looks full”

A full moon is not a full-night event. It’s a single moment when the Moon sits opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky, and its near side is fully lit.

Visually, though, the Moon appears essentially full:

the evening before the peak,
on the night of the peak,
and sometimes on the evening after.

That’s why people often “see the full moon” on a Saturday night even when the peak happens Sunday afternoon, or vice versa. For skywatching purposes, the best viewing is usually the first clear evening near the peak—when the Moon is high enough to be bright and easy to spot.

Best time to watch the February full moon

For most locations, the most dramatic viewing is around moonrise, when the full Moon appears low on the horizon and can look larger due to a common visual illusion. As it climbs higher, it becomes brighter and more glaring—still striking, but less dramatic against nearby landmarks.

Practical tips for February viewing:

Pick a spot with a clear eastern view near sunset.
Expect extra brightness if there’s snow on the ground; it can amplify the Moon’s glare.
A basic pair of binoculars can make craters and maria stand out, even at full phase.

Cloud cover can be the biggest wildcard. If Sunday evening is overcast, try the nearest clear night before or after—your eyes won’t notice the tiny difference in illumination.

What makes February’s full moon notable

February’s full moon is commonly nicknamed the Snow Moon, tied to winter weather patterns in parts of North America. The name is cultural rather than scientific, but it’s become widely used in modern skywatching calendars.

In 2026, February’s full moon is also described in many guides as a micromoon, meaning the full phase occurs when the Moon is relatively farther from Earth in its orbit. That can make it appear slightly smaller than an average full moon, though the difference is subtle unless you compare photos taken with the same lens settings across months.