Strawberry Moon: Look Up Tonight for a Stunning Sight

Look skywards for a Moon more beautiful than ever.

Tonight is the night. Alongside the scorching temperatures, a celestial event heralds summer’s return each year. NASA has given it several names: the Strawberry Moon, the Rose Moon and the Honey Moon. Whatever its name, the Moon will be especially striking tonight, so it would be a shame to miss it.

Although any full Moon is magnificent to watch when it is fully lit by the Sun, June’s is even more remarkable, as it is often tinged with shimmering colours. However, despite being called the “Strawberry Moon”, do not expect a pink or reddish Moon. The name has nothing to do with its colour.

Strawberry Moon: look up tonight

Watch the sky closely tonight. The Strawberry Moon will rise overnight from Monday 29 to Tuesday 30 June 2026. It will reach its peak at around 2 am - 1.56 am, to be precise - when it will be most visible in metropolitan France. For anyone who prefers an earlier bedtime, it will also be visible at a more “reasonable” hour: in Paris, you can enjoy the sight from 10.13 pm.

How to see the June full Moon

To make the most of this special moment, stay up late or set an alarm so that you do not miss it. For the best possible view, choose a viewing spot with a clear horizon and as little light pollution as possible.

Why is it called the Strawberry Moon?

So why refer to it as the Strawberry Moon if it has no pink or red shades? The answer lies in farming. Originally, Native American tribes used this name for June’s full Moon, referring to the brief period in which the fruit ripened and was ready to be cultivated by farmers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Rather than strawberry-coloured, this distinctive Moon will have a more golden, orange hue - no less lovely for it. Its impressive appearance comes from what is known as the “lunar illusion”, which makes it look larger than it really is.

Lovers of beautiful sights and astronomy know what to do tonight. It will also be an opportunity to enjoy more pleasant temperatures after the 10 days of heatwave that have stifled all of France. A dream, isn’t it?