Saturday’s full moon brings the spring vibes

PARK CITY, Utah — Stargazers in Park City can look forward to a unique celestial event this weekend as April’s full Pink Moon rises on Saturday evening, marking the first full Moon of spring and the Paschal Full Moon that determines the date of Easter.

According to “The Old Farmer’s Almanac,” the full Moon will reach peak illumination at 8:22 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 12—corresponding to 6:22 p.m. in Utah. Locals are encouraged to find an open vista to enjoy the Moonrise, which, while slightly smaller than usual, will appear larger and golden-hued as it ascends over the Wasatch Mountains due to the optical effect known as the “Moon illusion.”

This year’s April full Moon is also a micromoon, occurring just hours before the Moon reaches apogee—its farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit—at 6:49 p.m. EDT on April 13. As the Almanac explains, “A micromoon appears about 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than a supermoon,” though the difference is often subtle to the naked eye.

Despite its name, the Pink Moon isn’t actually pink. The “Old Farmer’s Almanac” notes that the moniker comes from the seasonal bloom of Phlox subulata, also called moss pink, one of the first wildflowers to blossom in early spring across North America. The Moon’s traditional name is rooted in Indigenous, Colonial American, and European naming customs that tie lunar phases to natural events and seasonal changes.

Alternative names for April’s Moon—drawn from various Native American cultures—include the Breaking Ice Moon(Algonquin), the Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota), and the Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit). The Almanac highlights that such names reflect the return of animal migrations and the stirring of spring plant life.

Significantly, April’s full Moon is also known as the Paschal Moon—the ecclesiastical full Moon that determines the date of Easter Sunday, which always falls on the first Sunday after this Moon. This year, Easter will be observed on April 20.

Folklore associated with the April Moon is rich with agricultural wisdom. “A full Moon in April brings frost. If the full Moon rises pale, expect rain,” writes the “Old Farmer’s Almanac.” The period from the full Moon to the last quarter, it says, is traditionally believed to be the best time for tasks like pruning, mowing, and planting root crops.

While the full Moon may not turn pink, the sky over Park City promises a brilliant display for observers willing to brave the chill of a spring night. The best viewing will be just after sunset as the Moon rises over the eastern horizon, offering a serene and symbolic view of seasonal renewal.

For local Moonrise times, gardening tips aligned with lunar phases, and full Moon folklore, residents can consult the “Old Farmer’s Almanac.”