Neil Young wrote a famous song after this moon’s name.
The Harvest Moon will rise a pinch earlier than it did last year in Metro Vancouver (and elsewhere).
The moon is called the Harvest Moon because it falls closest to the autumn equinox, which in 2026 happens on Sept. 22. This means it could either happen in September or October, depending on when the full moons occur.
Last year, October’s full moon happened on Oct. 6, making it the closest to the equinox. Last year, September’s full moon filled the skies on Sept. 7, so it wasn’t in the running for the seasonal moniker.
This year, September’s full moon will appear at its fullest in Vancouver on Sept. 26 at 9:49 a.m., according to timeanddate.com.
Metro Vancouver weather: Full moon to spice up late September
The September full moon is often referred to as the “full corn moon,” because it was the time when crops were harvested across Indigenous North American peoples. Names for the full moon included the Corn Maker Moon (Western Abenaki) and Corn Harvest Moon (Dakota), according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The harvest moon earns its name from the time that farmers collected their harvests, traditionally of corn.
You don’t need a telescope to view the full moon (obviously), but the Metro Vancouver weather forecast needs to cooperate. Unfortunately, things look a bit wetter in the fall seasonal forecast, meaning there’s a slightly higher chance of cloud cover.
Looking for more moon magic this year? Sadly, the lunar eclipse has come and gone, but you can still check out photos of the recent one. Also, a couple of supermoons — moons that appear exceptionally big and bright — are coming in November and December, according to EarthSky.