If you’ve spotted “Pink Moon” trending today, you’re not alone — and no, it’s not a new Taylor Swift track. April’s full moon is almost here, and it’s one of the loveliest-named lunar events of the year. Here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Pink Moon in 2026?
The full Pink Moon reaches its peak on Thursday, 2 April 2026, at 3.12am UK time (BST). That’s a proper middle-of-the-night moment, so unless you’re a night owl or an early riser, your best bet is to catch it the evening before — on Wednesday, 1 April — as it climbs above the horizon.
BBC Weather notes that on the evening of Wednesday 1 April, the moon will rise low on the horizon and is far more likely to look orange than pink — still a stunning sight. This is because the sunlight it reflects reaches us through a denser part of the Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters the blue and violet light, leaving only the warmer, redder hues visible.
Not a night person? Don’t stress. The moon will look full to the eye across around three nights — approximately 1–3 April — so there’s a decent window to catch it.
Why is it called the Pink Moon?
Here’s the slightly disappointing (but still charming) truth: the moon won’t actually turn pink. The name comes from the early spring bloom of a wildflower native to eastern North America, Phlox subulata — commonly known as creeping phlox or moss phlox.
Full moon names mostly stem from Native American traditions, later popularised through the Old Farmer’s Almanac, a US publication first printed in the 1930s. Each name tied the lunar calendar to seasonal changes happening in the natural world — a poetic way of marking time long before smartphones did it for us.
Here in the UK, April’s full moon also coincides with cherry blossom season, so even if the moon itself stays its usual silver-white, the springtime backdrop more than earns the name.
Other names for April’s full moon
April’s full moon goes by several names: the Breaking Ice Moon, the Budding Moon, the Awakening Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Paschal Moon — each one reflecting a different cultural tradition and a different sign of the season turning.
What’s the Pink Moon got to do with Easter?
More than you might think. This year’s Pink Moon is also the Paschal Full Moon — the first full moon of spring — and it’s what sets the date for Easter. Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Since the Pink Moon lands on 2 April, Easter this year falls on Sunday, 5 April.
It’s an ancient calculation, and the fact that a full moon is still quietly dictating the dates in our modern calendars is, frankly, quite lovely.
How to see it in the UK
You don’t need any special equipment — just a clear patch of sky. If it’s cloudy when it peaks at 3.12am, the moon will still appear full across the whole night. Head somewhere with low light pollution if you can — away from street lights, ideally somewhere with a clear horizon.
The best chances of clear skies look to be in Scotland and Northern Ireland with cloud and rain possible across parts of England and Wales — so fingers crossed for a break in the clouds.
What’s next after the Pink Moon?
The next full moon is the Flower Moon, rising on 1 May at 6.23pm. And there are more spectacular moons still to come in 2026, including two supermoons — one of which falls around the festive season.
For now though, set a reminder for Wednesday evening, wrap up warm, and take a moment to look up. Spring is properly here — the moon just wanted to make it official.