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UK moon calendar
Moon phases in January 2026
January 2026 has 4 principal moon phases, with the new moon on 18 January 2026 and the full Wolf Moon on 3 January 2026. Below are exact UK times, a day-by-day table and the best nights for dark skies.
Moon phases in January 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 | 3 January 2026 | 10:03 GMT |
| Last quarter | 10 January 2026 | 15:49 GMT |
| New moon | 18 January 2026 | 19:52 GMT |
| First quarter | 26 January 2026 | 04:47 GMT |
The full moon in January 2026
The Wolf Moon is full on 3 January 2026 at 10:03 GMT, rising over London at about 15:47.
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 15 January to 21 January. 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 January 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 Thu | Waxing gibbous | 94% | 13:25 | 06:28 |
| 2 Fri | Waxing gibbous | 99% | 14:27 | 07:45 |
| 3 Sat | Full moon | 100% | 15:47 | 08:42 |
| 4 Sun | Waning gibbous | 98% | 17:17 | 09:20 |
| 5 Mon | Waning gibbous | 94% | 18:47 | 09:45 |
| 6 Tue | Waning gibbous | 88% | 20:12 | 10:03 |
| 7 Wed | Waning gibbous | 80% | 21:32 | 10:17 |
| 8 Thu | Waning gibbous | 71% | 22:48 | 10:28 |
| 9 Fri | Waning gibbous | 61% | – | 10:39 |
| 10 Sat | Last quarter | 52% | 00:02 | 10:50 |
| 11 Sun | Waning crescent | 42% | 01:14 | 11:02 |
| 12 Mon | Waning crescent | 33% | 02:27 | 11:17 |
| 13 Tue | Waning crescent | 24% | 03:41 | 11:36 |
| 14 Wed | Waning crescent | 17% | 04:53 | 12:02 |
| 15 Thu | Waning crescent | 10% | 06:00 | 12:39 |
| 16 Fri | Waning crescent | 5% | 06:57 | 13:29 |
| 17 Sat | Waning crescent | 2% | 07:43 | 14:33 |
| 18 Sun | New moon | 0% | 08:16 | 15:46 |
| 19 Mon | Waxing crescent | 1% | 08:40 | 17:04 |
| 20 Tue | Waxing crescent | 3% | 08:58 | 18:24 |
| 21 Wed | Waxing crescent | 7% | 09:12 | 19:43 |
| 22 Thu | Waxing crescent | 14% | 09:25 | 21:02 |
| 23 Fri | Waxing crescent | 22% | 09:36 | 22:21 |
| 24 Sat | Waxing crescent | 32% | 09:48 | 23:43 |
| 25 Sun | Waxing crescent | 42% | 10:01 | – |
| 26 Mon | First quarter | 54% | 10:18 | 01:09 |
| 27 Tue | Waxing gibbous | 65% | 10:42 | 02:37 |
| 28 Wed | Waxing gibbous | 75% | 11:16 | 04:06 |
| 29 Thu | Waxing gibbous | 85% | 12:07 | 05:27 |
| 30 Fri | Waxing gibbous | 92% | 13:18 | 06:31 |
| 31 Sat | Waxing gibbous | 97% | 14:43 | 07:15 |
Closest and farthest moon
- Perigee (closest): 1 January 2026, 360,336 km
- Apogee (farthest): 13 January 2026, 405,429 km
- Perigee (closest): 29 January 2026, 365,860 km
Meteor showers
- Quadrantids: peak around 3 January, about 80 an hour under ideal skies, short sharp peak. The moon is 100% lit that night.
Using the moon this month
If you like to cleanse crystals by moonlight, the nights either side of the full moon give the most light. Bring soft and water-sensitive stones indoors if dew or rain is likely. See our crystal care guide.
Moon pieces from the shop
Questions answered
When is the full moon in January 2026?
3 January 2026 at 10:03 GMT UK time. It is traditionally called the Wolf Moon.
When is the new moon in January 2026?
18 January 2026 at 19:52 GMT UK time.
What is the best night for stargazing in January 2026?
Around the new moon on 18 January, when the sky is darkest. Pick a clear night and get away from streetlights.
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