May Full Moon 2025: Everything You Should Need to Know, When and Where to See Flower Moon

The “flower moon,” also known as the May 2025 full moon, will be visible on Monday, May 12, giving skywatchers who are now enjoying milder weather the opportunity to see a micromoon. The ‘Flower Moon’ of May, which rises over the night sky on May 12, is likely to astound both astrophotographers and stargazers. Continue reading to learn where, when, and what to look for during the yearly lunar event.

Compared to other moons, micromoons appear smaller and fainter. They occur when a full moon falls on the apogee of its orbit, which is the furthest point from Earth. Consequently, the micromoon will appear much dimmer and 14% smaller than usual.

The moon is said to be full when it is on the other side of Earth from the sun, and the side facing Earth is completely illuminated by the sun’s light.

Known as the ‘Flower Moon’ by some in North America and Europe because of the profusion of seasonal wildflower blossoms that occur at this time of year, this month’s full moon achieves its highest light around 12:56 p.m. EDT (17:56 GMT).

Even so, the moon will be full to our eyes from Sunday night, May 11, to early Tuesday, May 13.

When is the May Full Flower Moon 2025?

The full flower moon will peak at 12:56 p.m. on May 12, 2025, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Additionally, on Sunday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 13, the moon will be brilliant and full.

Find a spot where you can see the horizon unhindered to get a glance.

Why is It Called the Flower Moon?

The term “Flower Moon” has its origins in the Old Farmer’s Almanac traditions, in which each full moon was given a name based on seasonal changes in the environment or other natural indicators. That change is floral in May. Flowers bloomed throughout gardens, fields, and forests, marking the official start of spring and the beginning of summer. Long before digital calendars, these names were used as seasonal indicators by early Colonial Americans and were derived from Indigenous knowledge systems.

Other names for the May full moon include the Hare Moon, Corn Planting Moon, and Milk Moon, all of which refer to particular animal or agricultural behaviors during this time.

The full moon in May gets its name from the flowers that begin to bloom throughout North America in the spring, the almanac says.

Full moon names, according to the almanac, “come from several places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources.” The Algonquin people have been credited with giving the moon its name, “flower moon.”

When and Where to See the Full Flower Moon?

The Flower Moon’s fully lighted disk will begin to slip above the southeast horizon on the night of May 12, at 8:30 p.m. EDT (00:30 GMT on May 13), providing New Yorkers with their first view of it. The exact time of the event varies depending on where you are, therefore, you should use a skywatching app or software to find out.

Although the full moon technically peaks in the early afternoon of May 12, it will be at its brightest in the late nighttime hours of May 11 and 12. As the moon rises after sunset, it will appear very big and dazzling, making a striking appearance just above the horizon.

Around 8:00 p.m. local time on May 11, moonrise starts in places like New York, Chicago, and Toronto. Many stargazers will see the moon at near-maximum brightness soon after it crests the skyline since the precise moment of peak fullness happens when the moon is still below the horizon in the Eastern United States.

The moon may appear slightly yellow or orange in the moments immediately following moonrise. In contrast to when it is higher in the sky, light reflected off the lunar surface must travel farther through Earth’s atmosphere before it reaches the observer, causing this optical illusion. According to NASA, this action has little effect on longer redder light wavelengths, but scatters shorter bluer light wavelengths.

For scientists who want to study the moon’s surface, the Full Flower Moon’s intense light will present a challenge. During a full moon phase, craters, ravines, and mountain ranges often merge into the lunar surface, making them challenging to see since the sun’s light hits the moon’s surface directly from Earth, limiting the amount of dark places.

However, viewers will be able to investigate the dark basaltic maria (the Latin word for seas) that cover extensive sections of the lunar surface facing Earth using their own eyes, binoculars, or a telescope.

During the maria period of intense activity and change on the moon, massive impact basins filled with liquid lava, which subsequently cooled to form the darker surface.

In addition, look for sparkling “ejecta rays,” which are reflective debris streaks that emerge from old impact sites. These rays are apparent remnants of the moon’s turbulent past, extending over its surface.

What Else Can You See in the Sky during the May Full Moon?

There will still be plenty to view beyond the lunar surface on nights around May 12, but anybody seeking to explore obscure celestial objects in the surrounding sky will most likely get a headache from the Flower Moon’s intense light reflection. Soon after sunset, Mars and Jupiter will be visible in the western sky, and the newly risen Flower Moon will be adorned by the dazzling stars Arcturus and Spica.

In the predawn hours of May 13, as the planetary trio of Saturn, Venus, and Neptune rises in the eastern sky, early risers will also have the opportunity to spot the moon lowering near the southwestern horizon.

The Symbolism of the Flower Moon

For a long time, the Flower Moon has been linked to development, transformation, and plenty. It is a time of year when the energy of spring is at its most vibrant and nature is actively thriving. According to astrological observers, the May full moon usually occurs in the water sign of Scorpio, which is associated with intense emotions, transformation, and truth-seeking.

This makes it the perfect time for introspection, relaxation, and rebalancing, whether it be through journaling, meditation, or just spending time in the moonlight. For cultures around the world, the Flower Moon has inspired rituals of appreciation, community celebrations, and seasonal festivities based around the themes of fertility and rebirth.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next on the Lunar Calendar?

The Strawberry Moon, which rises on June 11, 2025, will be the next full moon after May’s Flower Moon. Early harvests and extended daylight hours are linked to that moon, which also signifies the official transition to summer.

For the time being, the Flower Moon invites you to consider what is blossoming in your own life—what is growing, what is prepared for nurturing, and what may need to be let go.

For individuals residing in hectic cities such as New York, this full moon offers a brief yet significant respite. And let it serve as a reminder of the cycles that bind us all together, whether you’re seeing from a Buffalo garden or a Bronx rooftop: internal and external, above and below, season to season.

When is the Full Moon in June 2025?

The strawberry moon, which occurs on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, will be the next full moon.

What are the Full Moon Dates for 2025?

The remaining full moons in 2025 are listed below:

• Strawberry Moon on June 11
• Buck Moon on July 10
• Sturgeon Moon on August 9
• Harvest Moon on September 7
• Hunter’s Moon on October 6
• Beaver Moon on November 5
• Cold Moon on December 4