September brings one of the most evocative moments on the astronomical calendar. Saturday, September 26, 2026 the sky will light up with the Luna del Raccolto, also known as Harvest Moon, the full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox, which this year will take place on September 23 at 02:05 Italian time. A phenomenon that unites astronomy, history, and folk traditions and that, for centuries, has accompanied the transition from summer to the autumn season.
The origins of the name
The name Luna del Raccolto is mainly tied to American tradition: Indigenous peoples, such as the Algonquin tribe, called it this because the great harvest work that night could be extended thanks to the full Moon. This Moon is also referred to as the Corn Moon precisely because corn is one of September’s typical produce.
The Harvest Moon is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, and it does not necessarily always fall in September: in some years it can be the October one (as happened in 2020).
When and how to see the Harvest Moon
In 2026 the Harvest Moon will reach its full phase on Saturday 26 September at 18:48, Italian time. To admire it, however, you will need to wait for the most dramatic moment—the moment of its rising, when the Moon appears in the east shortly after sunset.
To contemplate this fabulous celestial event, no telescopes or special instruments are required as this Moon is visible to the naked eye. It is best to choose a location with a free horizon toward the east-southeast, in the direction of the Pisces constellation, preferably far from the lights of large cities. If you also bring a small telescope, with a clear sky, you will be able to admire Saturn.
In Italy there are several destinations particularly suitable for stargazing, from the mountains to rural areas. Among them are Campo Imperatore, in the Gran Sasso National Park, the Gran Paradiso National Park, the Tuscan Maremma, and the Pollino National Park, all well known for favorable conditions for sky observation.
Public astronomical observatories open to the public can also be a good choice to experience the evening in a more organized way: INAF, the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, has gathered in a dedicated map the observatories, planetariums, and other Italian places to experience astronomy up close.
For those who prefer a simpler experience, it may be enough to reach a belvedere, a beach, or a hill away from inhabited areas and wait for the Moon to rise on the horizon.
Curiosities about the Harvest Moon abroad
The autumnal Moon takes on special meanings in different parts of the world.
In Japan, for example, there is the tradition of tsukimi – born in China, literally meaning “moon viewing”: Jūgoya is the main night of tsukimi and this year falls on September 25. The aim is, indeed, to give thanks for the agricultural harvest. The tradition also involves preparing special sweets, the tsukimi dango, and decorations with pampas grass to wish for a good harvest.
In South Korea, instead, the autumn full Moon is linked to Chuseok, the harvest festival under the first full Moon of autumn. The holiday brings families together, who pay homage to their ancestors and share traditional dishes. Among them are songpyeon, rice cakes prepared specifically for the festival. Chuseok 2026 will fall on September 25.
