Free UK deliveryHome / Moon calendar / 2026 / September
UK moon calendar
Moon phases in September 2026
September 2026 has 4 principal moon phases, with the new moon on 11 September 2026 and the full Harvest Moon on 26 September 2026. Below are exact UK times, a day-by-day table and the best nights for dark skies.
Moon phases in September 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Last quarter | 4 September 2026 | 08:51 BST |
| New moon | 11 September 2026 | 04:27 BST |
| First quarter | 18 September 2026 | 21:44 BST |
| Full moon | 26 September 2026 | 17:49 BST |
The full moon in September 2026
The Harvest Moon is full on 26 September 2026 at 17:49 BST, rising over London at about 18:27.
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 8 September to 14 September. 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 September 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 Tue | Waning gibbous | 80% | 20:50 | 11:34 |
| 2 Wed | Waning gibbous | 70% | 21:12 | 13:00 |
| 3 Thu | Waning gibbous | 60% | 21:45 | 14:26 |
| 4 Fri | Last quarter | 48% | 22:32 | 15:45 |
| 5 Sat | Waning crescent | 37% | 23:38 | 16:51 |
| 6 Sun | Waning crescent | 26% | – | 17:38 |
| 7 Mon | Waning crescent | 17% | 01:00 | 18:10 |
| 8 Tue | Waning crescent | 9% | 02:29 | 18:33 |
| 9 Wed | Waning crescent | 3% | 03:58 | 18:50 |
| 10 Thu | Waning crescent | 1% | 05:24 | 19:04 |
| 11 Fri | New moon | 0% | 06:47 | 19:16 |
| 12 Sat | Waxing crescent | 2% | 08:08 | 19:28 |
| 13 Sun | Waxing crescent | 6% | 09:27 | 19:41 |
| 14 Mon | Waxing crescent | 12% | 10:45 | 19:56 |
| 15 Tue | Waxing crescent | 20% | 12:03 | 20:15 |
| 16 Wed | Waxing crescent | 28% | 13:18 | 20:41 |
| 17 Thu | Waxing crescent | 37% | 14:27 | 21:16 |
| 18 Fri | First quarter | 47% | 15:27 | 22:02 |
| 19 Sat | Waxing gibbous | 56% | 16:14 | 23:01 |
| 20 Sun | Waxing gibbous | 65% | 16:49 | 00:09 |
| 21 Mon | Waxing gibbous | 74% | 17:15 | – |
| 22 Tue | Waxing gibbous | 82% | 17:35 | 01:22 |
| 23 Wed | Waxing gibbous | 89% | 17:50 | 02:38 |
| 24 Thu | Waxing gibbous | 95% | 18:03 | 03:55 |
| 25 Fri | Waxing gibbous | 98% | 18:15 | 05:13 |
| 26 Sat | Full moon | 100% | 18:27 | 06:31 |
| 27 Sun | Waning gibbous | 99% | 18:40 | 07:52 |
| 28 Mon | Waning gibbous | 96% | 18:56 | 09:16 |
| 29 Tue | Waning gibbous | 90% | 19:17 | 10:43 |
| 30 Wed | Waning gibbous | 82% | 19:47 | 12:11 |
Closest and farthest moon
- Perigee (closest): 6 September 2026, 368,249 km
- Apogee (farthest): 19 September 2026, 404,210 km
Festivals on the Wheel of the Year
See our Wheel of the Year guide for traditions and ideas.
- Mabon, the autumn equinox: 23 September 2026, 01:05 BST
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 September 2026?
26 September 2026 at 17:49 BST UK time. It is traditionally called the Harvest Moon.
When is the new moon in September 2026?
11 September 2026 at 04:27 BST UK time.
What is the best night for stargazing in September 2026?
Around the new moon on 11 September, when the sky is darkest. Pick a clear night and get away from streetlights.
Ask Starseed
Try: