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UK moon calendar
Moon phases in February 2026
February 2026 has 4 principal moon phases, with the new moon on 17 February 2026 and the full Snow Moon on 1 February 2026. Below are exact UK times, a day-by-day table and the best nights for dark skies.
Moon phases in February 2026 (UK times)
Times are calculated with astronomy-engine and shown in UK clock time (GMT or BST). They are accurate to about a minute.
| Phase | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Full moon | 1 February 2026 | 22:09 GMT |
| Last quarter | 9 February 2026 | 12:43 GMT |
| New moon | 17 February 2026 | 12:01 GMT |
| First quarter | 24 February 2026 | 12:28 GMT |
The full moon in February 2026
The Snow Moon is full on 1 February 2026 at 22:09 GMT, rising over London at about 16:13.
Read the story behind the name on our full moon names pages.
Best nights for dark skies
The darkest skies this month fall around the new moon, roughly 14 February to 20 February. That is the time for meteor watching, the Milky Way and faint galaxies. In folk practice the new moon is also the traditional time to set intentions.
Day-by-day moon calendar for February 2026
Phase and illumination at midday; moonrise and moonset for London (other UK places differ by up to about an hour; see your town in our local guides).
| Date | Phase | Lit | Moonrise | Moonset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sun | Full moon | 100% | 16:13 | 07:45 |
| 2 Mon | Waning gibbous | 100% | 17:42 | 08:06 |
| 3 Tue | Waning gibbous | 97% | 19:05 | 08:22 |
| 4 Wed | Waning gibbous | 92% | 20:24 | 08:34 |
| 5 Thu | Waning gibbous | 86% | 21:41 | 08:45 |
| 6 Fri | Waning gibbous | 78% | 22:55 | 08:56 |
| 7 Sat | Waning gibbous | 69% | – | 09:08 |
| 8 Sun | Waning gibbous | 60% | 00:10 | 09:21 |
| 9 Mon | Last quarter | 50% | 01:24 | 09:39 |
| 10 Tue | Waning crescent | 41% | 02:37 | 10:02 |
| 11 Wed | Waning crescent | 32% | 03:47 | 10:34 |
| 12 Thu | Waning crescent | 23% | 04:49 | 11:18 |
| 13 Fri | Waning crescent | 16% | 05:39 | 12:17 |
| 14 Sat | Waning crescent | 9% | 06:16 | 13:27 |
| 15 Sun | Waning crescent | 4% | 06:44 | 14:44 |
| 16 Mon | Waning crescent | 1% | 07:04 | 16:05 |
| 17 Tue | New moon | 0% | 07:20 | 17:26 |
| 18 Wed | Waxing crescent | 1% | 07:33 | 18:46 |
| 19 Thu | Waxing crescent | 5% | 07:44 | 20:07 |
| 20 Fri | Waxing crescent | 10% | 07:56 | 21:30 |
| 21 Sat | Waxing crescent | 18% | 08:09 | 22:56 |
| 22 Sun | Waxing crescent | 28% | 08:25 | – |
| 23 Mon | Waxing crescent | 39% | 08:46 | 00:24 |
| 24 Tue | First quarter | 50% | 09:16 | 01:53 |
| 25 Wed | Waxing gibbous | 61% | 10:00 | 03:15 |
| 26 Thu | Waxing gibbous | 72% | 11:02 | 04:23 |
| 27 Fri | Waxing gibbous | 82% | 12:21 | 05:13 |
| 28 Sat | Waxing gibbous | 90% | 13:48 | 05:47 |
Closest and farthest moon
- Apogee (farthest): 10 February 2026, 404,567 km
- Perigee (closest): 24 February 2026, 370,125 km
Festivals on the Wheel of the Year
See our Wheel of the Year guide for traditions and ideas.
- Imbolc: 1 February
Using the moon this month
Moon gardeners traditionally sow leafy crops as the moon waxes and root crops as it wanes. It is folklore rather than science, but it gives the month a pleasant rhythm. See our moon gardening guide.
Moon pieces from the shop
Questions answered
When is the full moon in February 2026?
1 February 2026 at 22:09 GMT UK time. It is traditionally called the Snow Moon.
When is the new moon in February 2026?
17 February 2026 at 12:01 GMT UK time.
What is the best night for stargazing in February 2026?
Around the new moon on 17 February, when the sky is darkest. Pick a clear night and get away from streetlights.
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