The Buck Moon, the full moon of July, will occur on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10:36 AM EDT.

It will be the seventh full moon of the year. The Buck Moon will be the second full moon post-summer solstice, right after the June full moon, or Strawberry Moon.

A deer on Buck Moon or July Full Moon

Buck Moon Meaning 

During the month of July, male deer (bucks) have new antlers pushing out of their foreheads with coatings of velvety fur.

Deer lose their antlers yearly, and each part of the antler grows from time to time. In the midsummer, it reaches its full size with pointed tips and is considered to be a significant part of the annual cycle.

Therefore, the Native American Algonquin people from the east of the Mississippi River (a region where deer were widespread) coined the term 'Buck Moon.

Other names

  • Many Native American tribes call it the Full Thunder Moon and Halfway Summer Moon due to the frequent thunderstorms and summer fall during this time.
  • July full moon is also named after animals. For example, it is called the Feather Molting Moon (Cree) because animals molt (shed their feathers, hair, etc. for regrowth) during this time.
  • It is also called Salmon Moon, as salmon return to the waterways in the Pacific Northwest and are ready to be harvested during this time.
  • Other July moon names by different tribes include the Berry Moon, Raspberry Moon, Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe (Dakota), Month of the Ripe Corn Moon, and Full Hay Moon.
  • Celtic groups refer to it as the Herb Moon, Wyrt Moon ('wyrt' means herbs), Claiming Moon, and Mead Moon. July is the ideal time to gather herbs, which are then dried to make spices and remedies.
  • Buddhists call it Guru Full Moon.

If there is a total lunar eclipse, the full moon can turn bright orange, red, or even dark gray, depending on how the Earth's shadow passes through the moon.

Future July Full Moons

Year Day Of The Week Date and Time
2027 Sunday July 18 at 11:45 AM EDT
2028 Thursday July 6 at 2:11 PM EDT
2029 Wednesday July 25 at 9:36 AM EDT
2030 Monday July 15 at 10:12 PM EDT

July's full moon period is the best time for fishing, harvesting, making hay, and setting eggs. Buck Moon spiritually means embracing and manifesting new versions of yourself.

This is also the Guru Full Moon for Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains. They celebrate Guru Purnima on this day, which is dedicated to all the Gurus or spiritual teachers. 

Read Sturgeon Moon next.