Here’s your 2023 full moon planning calendar for Arizona

Is there anyone who doesn’t enjoy gazing up at a big, beautiful full moon? In Arizona, people sometimes go to great lengths for amazing full moon experiences. With a little planning and cooperative weather, you too can enjoy an eye-popping moonrise.

Tips for enjoying a full moon in Arizona

  • Best vantage points for watching the moonrise are on mountaintops with unobstructed views to the east
  • Your best opportunities for viewing both the sunset and full moon are the evening of actual full moon and the day before (Waxing Gibbous)
  • Waxing Gibbous describes the phase when the visible surface of the moon is getting larger day by day. This happens on the days leading up to full moon.
  • Waning Gibbous describes the phase when the visible surface of the moon is getting smaller day by day. This happens on the days following a full moon.
  • In summer months, it’s important to take extra precautions to protect yourself from the extreme heat Arizona is known for, even at night.

Related: 3 tips for an amazing hiking by moonlight experience

The moon’s phases

๐ŸŒ‘ New
๐ŸŒ’ Waxing Crescent
๐ŸŒ“ First Quarter
๐ŸŒ” Waxing Gibbous
๐ŸŒ• Full
๐ŸŒ– Waning Gibbous
๐ŸŒ— Third Quarter
๐ŸŒ˜ Waning Crescent

Source: spaceplace.nasa.gov/moon-phases/en/

When is full moon?

The most important thing you need to know for excellent moon-watching experiences is when the full moon will occur each month. The date of full moon varies from month to month. Some months actually get a full moon twice. The second full moon to occur in one month is called a “blue moon.”

Best dates in 2023 for experiencing a full moon in Phoenix*

Sunset and moonrise times will vary by up to ten minutes around the state.

Tip: Unlike most of Arizona, some of the larger Indian reservations, such as Navajo Nation, do participate in Daylight Savings Time, and are off by an hour during DST.

On your phone? Turn it sideways for best view of table below.

January 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing55:34 p.m.4:28 p.m.
Full65:35 p.m.5:21 p.m.
Waning75:36 p.m.6:17 p.m.

February 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing46:02 p.m.5:09 p.m.
Full56:03 p.m.6:07 p.m.
Waning66:04 p.m.7:04 p.m.

March 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing66:29 p.m.5:55 p.m.
Full76:29 p.m.6:52 p.m.
Waning86:30 p.m.7:50 p.m.

April 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing46:50 p.m.5:41 p.m.
Full56:51 p.m.6:39 p.m.
Waning66:52 p.m.7:40 p.m.

May 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing47:13 p.m.6:25 p.m.
Full57:14 p.m.7:36 p.m.
Waning67:14 p.m.8:46 p.m.

June 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing27:42 p.m.7:33 p.m.
Full37:41 p.m.8:34 p.m.
Waning47:41 p.m.9:26 p.m.

July 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing27:42 p.m.7:33 p.m.
Full37:41 p.m.8:34 p.m.
Waning47:41 p.m.9:26 p.m.

August 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
WaxingJuly 317:28 p.m.7:12 p.m.
Full17:28 p.m.8:00 p.m.
Waning27:27 p.m.8:40 p.m.

August 2023 (Blue moon)

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing296:57 p.m.6:32 p.m.
Full306:56 p.m.7:09 p.m.
Waning316:54 p.m.7:42 p.m.

September 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing286:16 p.m.6:09 p.m.
Full296:15 p.m.6:39 p.m.
Waning306:14 p.m.7:11 p.m.

October 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing275:41 p.m.5:06 p.m.
Full285:40 p.m.5:39 p.m.
Waning295:39 p.m.6:14 p.m.

November 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing265:21 p.m.4:47 p.m.
Full275:20 p.m.5:32 p.m.
Waning285:20 p.m.6:22 p.m.

December 2023

PhaseDaySunsetMoonrise
Waxing255:26 p.m.4:12 p.m.
Full265:27 p.m.5:06 p.m.
Waning275:27 p.m.6:05 p.m.
*Source: timeanddate.com
  • Full moon rising over mountains
  • Full moon rising over mountains
  • full moon rising from behind rocky hill

It’s cool to see a massive full moon rising up over the horizon, but it’s even better if you plan ahead and watch it from a hilltop with your camera and someone you enjoy hanging out with. Use the tips and table above to plot your next amazing full moon viewing experience.


Take part in a guided full-moon tour in Phoenix

If you’re in the Phoenix area, consider participating in a full moon tour guided by Paul Fiarkoski – creator of this blog and author of Arizona Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal.

Want more info? Read this description of the experience offered in conjunction with Airbnb.

3 Comments

    1. Thanks for letting me know. I did update it but mustโ€™ve republished last yearโ€™s chart. Iโ€™ll update it when I get back home.

    2. Now updated with the correct year. Since my post is intended for people who want to plane full moon activities, like hikes, I went with sunset/moonrise times rather than the official full moon time. Thanks for alerting me. I really appreciate it.

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