Look up this week for the dazzling July Full Moon, traditionally known as the Buck Moon. This celestial event peaks on July 10th, offering a beautiful sight and a connection to nature’s calendar. Here’s your guide on when and how to witness the Buck Moon, and the fascinating story behind its unique name.
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The Full Buck Moon is the first of three full moons appearing during the summer of 2025. It gets its name from the time of year when male deer, or bucks, are growing their antlers rapidly.
When to See the Full Buck Moon
The precise moment the Moon is 100% illuminated occurs on July 10th, 2025, at 4:39 p.m. EDT (20:39 UTC).
However, you don’t need to catch it at that exact second. The Moon will appear completely full to the casual observer for a period of about three days around this peak. This means you can enjoy the ‘full’ moon from after midnight on the morning of July 10th, throughout the night from moonrise on the 10th into the morning of the 11th, and even as it rises again on the evening of the 11th.
Full Buck Moon over Calgary, Canada
To experience a truly breathtaking view, try looking for the moon just after it rises in the eastern sky or just before it sets in the western sky. At these times, you might experience the ‘Moon Illusion,’ a curious effect that makes the moon appear much larger than it actually is. This isn’t because the moon is physically closer, but a trick of our brains when we see it near the horizon amongst familiar objects like trees or buildings. Learn more about this fascinating phenomenon in our article: Why does the Moon look so big? It’s the mysterious Moon Illusion!
The Story Behind the ‘Buck Moon’ Name
Most full moons throughout the year have popular names. While some come from European or Colonial traditions, many were adopted from the nature-based calendars of Indigenous peoples, particularly those in the northeastern United States and Great Lakes region. The Old Farmer’s Almanac popularized these names in the early 20th century.
List of 2025 Full Moon names with dates and events
According to this tradition, the July full moon is called the Buck Moon because this is typically the time of year when male deer are in the full swing of regrowing their antlers. Bucks shed their antlers each year and grow a new, larger set, a process that is very noticeable in mid-summer.
These names weren’t just whimsical labels for a single night; they were part of sophisticated lunar calendars used by Indigenous cultures to track the seasons and cycles of the natural world.
For example, the Anishinaabe people used the pattern on a turtle’s shell as a visual calendar. The 28 small plates around the edge represented the days in a lunar cycle, and the 13 large plates on the back symbolized the 13 lunar months of the year, each with its own name reflecting seasonal events important for survival and life.
While the Buck Moon most often aligns with the Gregorian month of July, this connection to nature and animals highlights a different way of understanding time, tied directly to the changing seasons and the world around us.
Where to See the Buck Moon
Seeing the Buck Moon clearly depends largely on your local weather conditions. Clear skies are essential for the best view. Before heading out to look up, it’s a good idea to check your local forecast for cloud cover predictions.
Cloud cover forecast map for western Canada on July 10, 2025
For those in Canada, forecasts suggest varying conditions across the country on the night of July 10th. Check detailed local forecasts closer to the date for the most accurate information.
Cloud cover forecast map for eastern Canada on July 10, 2025
Even with some clouds, breaks can offer spectacular glimpses of the bright full moon.
Beyond the Buck Moon
This July, there’s more than just the Full Moon happening in the night sky. It’s a great month for stargazing.
Graphic showing moon phases for July 2025
July also features the peak of several meteor showers. Don’t miss our guide to other celestial events happening this month: Look up! What’s going on in the July night sky?
The Full Buck Moon is a wonderful reminder of the connections between celestial cycles, the natural world, and human culture throughout history. Take a moment this week to step outside, look up, and appreciate the beauty of our nearest cosmic neighbor.
