The Harvest Moon is named as such because, historically, it was the full moon that gave extra light to farmers to harvest their crops before the era of electricity. It’s the full moon that’s closest to the Fall Equinox. This year’s Harvest Moon occurs on Saturday, September 26.
The moon will reach peak illumination, meaning it’ll be 100% full, at 11:49 a.m. CDT on Saturday, September 26, 2026. But in Arkansas, the moon won’t be visible during peak illumination. The moon will set in Little Rock on Saturday at 6:53 a.m., when it’ll be around 99.9% full. The moon will then rise that evening at 6:52 p.m. CDT on Saturday in Little Rock, when it’ll also be around 99.9% full.
The moon will appear full for a couple of days leading up to Saturday, when it’s technically in the Waxing Gibbous phase. It’ll also appear full for a couple of days after Saturday, when it’s technically in the Waning Gibbous phase.
Those traveling to the beach should note that a full moon results in higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides. This phenomenon is called king tides…