Peak viewing time for the ‘strawberry’ moon in Illinois (+ how it got its name)
The first full moon of the summer, the strawberry moon, will soon peak over Illinois.
The strawberry moon marks the peak of strawberry harvest season, and the name is attributed to the Algonquian, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota peoples, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. The name does not refer to a pink or red colored appearance of the moon.
More names for June’s full moon include blooming moon (attributed to the Anishinaabe), green corn moon (Cherokee), hoer moon (Western Abenaki), birth moon (Tlingit), egg laying moon (Cree), hatching moon (Cree), honey moon (European) and mead moon (European).
Best time to see the ‘strawberry’ moon
The strawberry moon will peak at 6:57 p.m. Central Daylight Time Monday, June 29, according to astronomy publication Space.com, although you will likely get a better view later that night.
The sun will set over Belleville at 8:28 p.m. June 29, online clock Time and Date reports, while moonrise will occur at 8:45 p.m.
The night of June 29 is expected to be clear, warm and very humid in Belleville, according to AccuWeather’s forecast. The moon generally appears full the day before and after its peak, as well.
Summer has officially begun after the solstice occurred Sunday, and Belleville will see daylight hours gradually become shorter until the winter solstice in December.
More full moons in 2026
After the strawberry moon in June, stargazers will have six more opportunities to see a full moon this year. Here’s when to look, from Astronomy.com:
- Wednesday, July 29: Buck moon
- Friday, Aug. 28: Sturgeon moon and partial lunar eclipse
- Saturday, Sept. 26: Corn moon
- Monday, Oct. 26: Hunter’s moon
- Tuesday, Nov. 24: Beaver moon (supermoon)
- Wednesday, Dec. 23: Cold moon (supermoon)
If you’re interested in stargazing with others, the St. Louis Astronomical Society will host a public stargazing event 8:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday at Stacy Park in Olivette, Mo.
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 12:34 PM.
