Full Moon November 2026: Beaver Moon

The November Full Moon is traditionally called the Beaver Moon. The name is associated with beavers preparing for winter and with the seasonal trapping of beavers in North America. In 2026, the Full Moon reaches peak illumination on November 24 at 14:53 UTC. It is also a Supermoon because it occurs close to the Moon’s perigee, its nearest point to Earth in its orbit.

For the dates of every full moon in 2026, see our Full Moon Calendar.

When Is the Beaver Moon 2026?

The Beaver Moon reaches peak illumination on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 14:53 UTC. In India, this occurs at 8:23 PM IST on November 24.

The moon will look nearly full on the nights before and after the exact peak. For the best view, find a location with a clear eastern horizon and watch the moon rise around sunset.

The Full Moon occurs when the Moon lies opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky. Sunlight illuminates the lunar hemisphere facing Earth, making the disk appear fully lit.

You can check the Moon’s illumination, age, distance from Earth, azimuth, and other details for any date on Moon Age Today.

Why Is It Called the Beaver Moon?

The name Beaver Moon is linked to seasonal changes in November. As temperatures fall, beavers prepare their lodges and gather food for winter. The month was also associated with beaver trapping in parts of North America before rivers and wetlands froze.

The name reflects these seasonal activities rather than a change in the Moon itself. Other cultures used names such as Frost Moon and Freezing Moon to describe the colder conditions of late autumn.

Traditional Full Moon names vary across cultures and historical sources, so November’s Moon has several alternative names.

How to Watch the Beaver Moon

You do not need a telescope to observe the full moon. Choose an open location with a clear view of the eastern horizon and watch around sunset as the moon rises.

The Moon may look orange or yellow near the horizon. Earth’s atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of light, allowing more reddish and yellow light to reach your eyes. The moon can also appear larger near the horizon because of a visual effect called the moon illusion.

For local Moonrise and Moonset times, use our Moonrise and Moonset Time Calculator.

Is the Beaver Moon a Supermoon?

Yes, the November 2026 Beaver Moon is a supermoon. The Full Moon occurs close to perigee, when the Moon is nearest to Earth in its elliptical orbit.

A supermoon can appear slightly larger and brighter than a full moon that occurs farther from Earth. The difference is subtle and may be difficult to notice without comparing photographs taken under similar conditions.

The moon reaches perigee on November 25, about a day after the full moon. This close timing makes November’s full moon a supermoon.

Other Traditional Names of the November Full Moon

The November Full Moon has several traditional names associated with the changing weather and seasonal activities.

• Frost Moon: Refers to frost becoming more common as temperatures fall.
• Freezing Moon: Describes the arrival of colder weather.
• Trading Moon: Reflects seasonal trading traditions.
• Snow Moon: Appears in some historical naming lists, although it is more commonly associated with February.

These names vary by culture and source. The Beaver Moon remains one of the most widely used names for November’s Full Moon.

Lunar Eclipse Details

There is no lunar eclipse during the November 2026 full moon.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the full moon passes through Earth’s shadow. This does not happen every month because the Moon’s orbit is tilted relative to Earth’s orbital plane.

For upcoming lunar eclipses, dates, and visibility information, see our Lunar Eclipse Calendar.

Moon Phases for November 2026

The Moon passes through these four primary phases during November. The exact phase occurs at the same moment worldwide, although the local date and time can differ by time zone.

See our Moon Phase Calendar for daily lunar phases throughout 2026.

Other Must-Watch Sky Events in November 2026

• November 1: The Moon passes near the Beehive Cluster in Cancer. Binoculars can help reveal the cluster’s stars.
• November 2–3: The Moon passes near Mars and Jupiter. Look toward the predawn sky for these close celestial pairings.
• November 5: The Southern Taurid meteor shower reaches its expected peak. Its meteors can be bright, although rates are generally low.
• November 7: The Moon appears near Venus and Spica in the morning sky.
• November 11: The Moon passes near Antares, the bright reddish star in Scorpius.
• November 12: The Northern Taurid meteor shower reaches its expected peak. Look for occasional bright meteors from a dark location.
• November 18: The Leonid meteor shower reaches its expected peak. The New Moon earlier in the month provides relatively dark skies, making this a favorable period for meteor watching.
• November 24: The Beaver Supermoon reaches peak illumination at 14:53 UTC. The Moon also passes near the Pleiades star cluster.
• November 25: The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to Earth in this part of its orbit. Uranus also reaches opposition, making it well placed for observation with suitable binoculars or a telescope.

Event dates and times are based on NASA’s 2026 sky-event calendar. The visibility of Moon-planet pairings and meteor showers depends on location, weather, and local observing conditions.

Sources

• NASA GSFC Sky Events Calendar 2026
• Time and date: Beaver Moon
• The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Full Moon in November 2026