Pink Moon: Full Micromoon for April 2025 (2024)

You can see the full Moon in April on Saturday, April 12. It reaches its brightest point at 8:22 P.M. It’s also a micromoon. How is that different from a supermoon? Learn why we traditionally call it the “Pink Moon” and some fascinating facts andfolklore.

When to See the Full Moon in April2025

Venture outside on Saturday, April 12, to catch a glimpse of April’s full Pink Moon. This full Moon reaches peak illumination at 8:22 p.m. EasternTime.

For the best view of this lovely spring Moon, find an open area and watch as the Moonrises just above the horizon. At this point, it will appear its biggest and take on a golden hue! (Find local Moon rise and set times here.)

Why Is It Called the PinkMoon?

The full Moon names used byThe Old Farmer’s Almanaccome from various sources, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not only to thefullMoon.

Although we wish the name “Pink Moon” had to do with the color of the Moon, the reality is not quite as mystical or awe-inspiring. In truth, April’s full Moon often corresponded with the early springtime bloomsof a certainwildflower native to eastern North America:Phlox subulata—commonlycalled creeping phlox or moss phlox—which also went by the name “mosspink.”

Thanks to thisseasonal association, this full Moon came to be called the “Pink”Moon!

AlternativeApril MoonNames

In April, Moon names reference springabound!

Breaking Ice Moon (Algonquin) and Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable (Dakota) reference the melting ice and increased mobility of the early springseason.

Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit) and Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala) speak to the plant growth that will soon kick into highgear.

Other names refer to the reappearance of certain animals, including Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota), Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs (Dakota), and Frog Moon (Cree).

Along the same vein, Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe)notes thetime to harvest sucker fish, which return to streams or lake shallows to spawn. According to legend, now is the time when this fish comes back from the spirit world to purify bodies of water and the creatures living in them. (This name may also be applied to the February Moon to honor the sacrifice of the sucker fish to feed the Anishinaabe peoples, traditionally helping them to survive thewinter.)

→See all 12 months of full Moon names and meanings.

AprilMicromoon

April’s full Moon is a “Micromoon” this year. Think of this term as the opposite of a “Supermoon.” It simply means that the full Moon is at its farthest point from Earth (not the nearest point). In astronomical terms, we call this “apogee.” Specifically, February’s Micro full Moon is about 252,225miles fromEarth.

Why is the Moon nearer or farther (in this instance) from Earth? Simple: The Moon orbits Earth in an elliptical path. One side is nearer to Earth, and one side is farther. This distance affects the Moon’s size and brightness, although it’s probably not visible to the naked eye. The perceived size of the Moon from Earth is more related to the “Moon Illusion” and how close the Moon appears to the horizon; in this case, it’s high above the horizon, so it may not appear to loom over us the way it appears when it’s near thehorizon.

Moon Phases for April2025

All dates and times are Eastern Time. See ourMoon Phase Calendarto customize times and dates to yourlocation.

April Moon Phase Dates andTimes

→When is the next full Moon?See ourFull Mooncalendar.

April Moon Facts andFolklore

A full Moon in April brings frost. If the full Moon rises pale, expectrain.

• On April 20, 1972, the lunar module of Apollo XVI landed on the moon with astronauts John Young and Charles Duke aboard. Thomas Mattingly remained in orbit around the moon aboard the commandmodule.
• One day later, on April 21, 1972, Apollo XVI astronauts John Young and Charles Duke drove an electric car on the surface of the moon. It’s still up there, along with some expensive tools and some film that theyforgot.
• According to folklore, the period from the full Moon through the last quarter of the Moon is the best time for killing weeds, thinning, pruning, mowing, cutting timber, and planting below-ground crops. Read more about Gardening by the Moon.

Full Pink MoonVideo

Each month, we will explain the traditional names of the full Moon along with some interesting and insightful Moon facts. Click below to watch thevideo.

April Best Days2025

Below are the Best Days for activities, based on the Moon’s sign and phase inApril.

ForPlanting:

• Aboveground crops: 4,5
• Belowground crops:13-15

For SettingEggs:

• 10, 11, 20,21

ForFishing:

• 1-12,27-30

→ See Best Days for moreactivities.

Share your thoughts about this month’s Moonbelow!