The full moon pink moon will turn full on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, visible across North America at moonrise in dusk. It will be officially full at 10: 13 p. m. ET and will appear brightest as it climbs above the eastern horizon. Named for spring phlox and its seasonal color, this moon also determines the timing of Easter this year.
Full Moon Pink Moon: When and where to watch
The full moon pink moon reaches peak fullness at 10: 13 p. m. ET; the spectacle is strongest at first moonrise when the orb climbs out of the east during dusk. Observers are advised to seek an elevated spot, an open field or an east-facing coastline with a clear horizon to catch dramatic color and contrast at blue hour. On the western edge of the continent a rare synchronization occurs where the moment of fullness aligns with local sunset and moonrise, producing a striking sight at that same 10: 13 p. m. ET moment for observers tuning in from across time zones.
For viewers in North America the next night the moon will pass close to the bright star Spica, appearing less than two degrees away and offering a tight pair to scan after the initial rise. The quick window at sunset and early evening is prime: the full moon pink moon often appears most impressive when it first climbs above the horizon and when the sky still holds the last red and blue of daylight.
Skywatcher briefing and April’s related events
April’s lunar calendar places this event as the fourth of 13 full moons for the year, a sequence that includes earlier and upcoming lunar highlights. The year’s 13 full moons follow a shorter lunar year compared with the solar year; the sequence in 2026 features a recent total lunar eclipse in March, a blue moon coming in May and supermoons later in the year. Following the full moon pink moon, the next full moon will be the flower moon on May 1, with a second full moon that month on May 31.
Beyond lunar timings, April’s night sky offers other attractions clustered around the same period: an early-month swing of an inner planet, a potentially notable sun‑grazing comet whose fate will be decided at its close solar pass, and a mid‑April brief planet parade low above the eastern horizon before sunrise. These events combine to make April a busy stretch for casual viewers and serious stargazers alike.
The full moon pink moon also carries a calendrical role: it is the paschal moon used to set Easter Sunday this year, which falls on the first Sunday after this full moon. That ecclesiastical link underlines why this lunar moment draws attention beyond hobbyist circles.
What’s next — where to look and what to expect
Tonight and through the following evening, plan to watch the eastern horizon at dusk to catch the full moon pink moon at its most dramatic, then follow the moon as it moves nearer to Spica on the night after fullness. Expect bright lunar glare that will wash out faint stars near the moon, but look for the nearby planet and star alignments a little later when the moon slips higher. Weather and local cloud cover will be decisive; tens of thousands of viewers will judge the display from low light locations or open water viewpoints.
Keep an eye on forecasts for clear eastern horizons and plan for another milestone later in spring when May brings a flower moon and a rare blue moon at month’s end. In the immediate hours around 10: 13 p. m. ET on April 1, the full moon pink moon is the sky event to watch—rise early, find open sightlines, and expect a show that anchors the season.
