How Rare Is a Halloween Full Moon? | The Old Farmer's Almanac
How Rare Is a Full Moon on Halloween?
A Halloween Full Moon May Be Spookier Than You Think!
Ever noticed that Halloween pictures always show a full Moon? How rare is a full Moon on Halloween, exactly? Let’s learn more about the mythical Moon on this rather mystical night!
How Rare Is a Halloween Full Moon?
Despite all the creative Halloween full Moon pictures, a full Moon occurring on Halloween is not a common occurrence and only happens every 18 to 19 years. The last time a full Moon happened on Halloween night was in 2020, so don’t expect another for quite a while!
As you know, Halloween always occurs on October 31; only the day of the week changes from year to year. Given that a lunar cycle (the time it takes for the Moon to go through one full cycle of its phases) lasts about 29.5 days, if there is a full Moon on Halloween, it will also be the second full Moon in October and, therefore, a Blue Moon!
What Will the Moon Look Like on Halloween?
On Halloween 2023, The Moon will be a waning gibbous, approximately 90% illuminated, depending on your timezone. Check out our Moon Phase Calendar—customized by zip code—for more information about your location.
Halloween Origins
The origin of Halloween itself can be traced back to Samhain (pronounced SOW-in, which rhymes with COW-in), an ancient Celtic festival celebrated to mark the end of harvest time. It was also the end of their year and the beginning of the new year, so it was “in-between” the two years. It’s said that the spirits of the dead wander around during this time in the moonlight. Learn more about the origins of Halloween traditions.
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