Uncover the story behind the Buck Moon and what makes July an important month in Moon lore.
Ready for a little midsummer magic? The Full Buck Moon rises on July 29, 2026! See more information about July’s Full Moon, from why we call it the “Buck” Moon to the best days for activities based on the Moon’s sign and phase in July.
When to See the Full Moon in July 2026
July’s Full Buck Moon will rise on Wednesday, July 29, reaching peak illumination at 10:36 A.M. Eastern Time. It will be below the horizon at that time, so plan to look towards the southeast after sunset to watch it rise into the sky.
→ Consult our Moonrise and Moonset Calculator to see precisely when the Buck Moon will be visible in your area!
Why Is It Called the Buck Moon?
The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each Full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the full Moon.
The Buck Moon
The Full Moon in July is called the Buck Moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time. Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year, producing a larger and more impressive set as the years go by.
Alternative July Moon Names
Several other names for this month’s Full Moon also reference animals, including Feather Moulting Moon (Cree) and Salmon Moon, a Tlingit term indicating when fish returned to the area and were ready to be harvested.
Plants are also featured prominently in July’s Moon names. Some of our favorites are Berry Moon (Anishinaabe), Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe (Dakota), Month of the Ripe Corn Moon (Cherokee), and Raspberry Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe).
Thunder Moon (Western Abenaki) and Halfway Summer Moon (Anishinaabe) are alternative variants that refer to the stormy weather and summer season.
→ See all 12 months of Full Moon names and meanings.
Moon Phases for July 2026
Note that the Moon phase dates/times below are in EDT.
→ See our Moon Phase Calendar to customize dates and times to your location.
.png) | Last Quarter: July 7, 3:29 P.M. EDT |
.png){kind=small} | New Moon: July 14, 5:43 A.M. EDT |
.png) | First Quarter: July 21, 7:05 A.M. EDT |
.png) | Full Moon: July 29, 10:36 A.M. EDT |
→ For the next Full Moon, see our Full Moon Dates chart.
July’s Full Buck Moon Video
In this video, we explain the traditional names of the Full Moon along with some fascinating Moon facts. Learn about the Full Buck Moon, why July is such an important month in Moon history, and how scientists measure the distance from Earth to the Moon. Click below to watch the video.
Best Days in July 2026
Below are the best days for activities, based on the Moon’s sign and phase in July.
| Activity | Best Days |
|---|---|
| Cutting Hay | 6-8 |
| Setting Eggs | 1, 2, 28, 29 |
| Fishing | 14-29 |
→ See Best Days for more activities.
Moon Facts
- On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the Moon. He also placed the U.S. flag there.
- On July 31, 1999, the ashes of the astrogeologist Eugene Shoemaker were deposited on the Moon.
We leave you with a poem by James N. Matthews (1852–1910):
A moon-flooded prairie; a straying
Of leal-hearted lovers; a baying
Of far away watching dogs; a dreaming
Of brown-fisted farmers; a gleaming
Of fireflies eddying nigh, —
And that is July!
Share your thoughts about this month’s Moon below!
What you saw was most likely not the moon but a hiker walking toward you with a flashlight.
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