Cancer · Jun 21 to Jul 22, 2026
Cancer dates 2026: the solstice sign, and the longest of the year
Cancer season begins at the June solstice and, at more than 31 days, is the longest sign season of 2026. Exact start and end times for 2026 and 2027.
Alexander Jamieson, A Celestial Atlas, 1822 · US Naval Observatory Library
At a glance
Cancer 2026 runs from June 21 at 08:25 UTC to July 22 at 19:13 UTC: 31.5 days.
- Cancer begins
- Jun 21, 2026, 08:25 UTCJun 21, 4:25 AM New York · Jun 21, 1:25 AM LA
- Cancer ends
- Jul 22, 2026, 19:13 UTCJul 22, 3:13 PM New York · Jul 23, 5:13 AM Sydney
- Cancer 2027
- Jun 21 to Jul 23starts 14:11 UTC, 5 h 46 min later in the day
- Most common Cancer start
- June 2168 times since 1950
Born near Jun 21 or Jul 22?Gemini hands over at 08:25 UTC UTC, Leo takes over at 19:13 UTC UTC.
Cancer 2026
Jun 21 to Jul 22: Cancer in 2026
Try this today
- Note the solstice minute in your time zone from the table and step outside around sunset.
Cancer starts with the longest day. The Sun enters it at the June solstice, Jun 21, 2026, 08:25 UTC, when it reaches its farthest point north and seems to pause before heading back.
It is also the longest sign of the year: 31.5 days, ending at Jul 22, 2026, 19:13 UTC. Earth is near its farthest point from the Sun in early July and moving at its slowest, so from here the Sun lingers. If you have ever felt that early summer goes on and on, the numbers agree with you.
The sky behind it
Decans: 10° on Jul 1, 2026, 20:04 UTC, 20° on Jul 12, 2026, 07:46 UTC.
Gemini side
Born around June 21? The Gemini-Cancer line
June 20, 21 and 22 can all start Cancer. From 1950 to 2030 the Sun entered Cancer on June 21 in 68 years, June 22 in 7 years, June 20 in 6 years (UTC dates), one of only four signs with three possible start dates in that span. In 2026 the solstice lands at Jun 21, 1:25 AM in Los Angeles and Jun 21, 4:25 AM in New York, both on June 21. In India it is Jun 21, 1:55 PM and in Sydney Jun 21, 6:25 PM.
Moons in Cancer
Moons and planets, Jun 21 2026 to Jul 23 2027
Cancer opens 2026 hosting Jupiter, the planet that tradition counts as exalted here, and Jupiter stays until the very end of June before moving on to Leo. Mercury has an unusually long stay too, because it turns retrograde while in Cancer in late June and only leaves in August. Mars arrives later, in August.
The Full Moon of Cancer season 2026 is in Capricorn on Jun 29, 2026 at 8°15′ Capricorn. The New Moon follows on Jul 14, 2026 at 21°59′ Cancer.
Visitors to Cancer:
- Mercury: Jun 1, 2026 to Aug 9, 2026
- Mercury: May 28, 2027 to Jun 26, 2027
- Mercury: Jul 12, 2027 to Aug 2, 2027
- Venus: May 19, 2026 to Jun 13, 2026
- Venus: Jul 3, 2027 to Jul 27, 2027
- Mars: Aug 11, 2026 to Sep 28, 2026
- Jupiter: before 2026 (since Jun 9, 2025) to Jun 30, 2026
The sky behind it
Full Moon Jun 29, 2026 at 8°15′ Capricorn; New Moon Jul 14, 2026 at 21°59′ Cancer.
| Season | Lunation | When | Moon's position | Eclipse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 season | Full Moon | Jun 29, 2026, 23:57 UTC | 8°15′ Capricorn | - |
| 2026 season | New Moon | Jul 14, 2026, 09:44 UTC | 21°59′ Cancer | - |
| 2027 season | New Moon | Jul 4, 2027, 03:02 UTC | 11°57′ Cancer | - |
| 2027 season | Full Moon | Jul 18, 2027, 15:45 UTC | 25°49′ Capricorn | penumbral lunar eclipse |
Leo side
Born around July 22? Where Cancer ends
Cancer gives way to Leo at Jul 22, 2026, 19:13 UTC, which is Jul 22, 3:13 PM in New York and Jul 22, 12:13 PM in Los Angeles. In Sydney the change is Jul 23, 5:13 AM, so a July 23 birth in Sydney before breakfast is still a Cancer. In India it lands just after midnight, at Jul 23, 12:43 AM.
Leo 2027: Jul 23, 2027, 01:05 UTC. Cancer 2027: 31.5 days.
Cusp checker
Am I a Cancer? Check your birthday
Born July 22 or 23? Check your time in the cusp checker, especially if you were born in Asia or Australia.
Cancer, your clock
- Gemini → CancerFri, Jun 20, 2025, 10:42 PMa different date than in UTC (06/21)
- Cancer → LeoTue, Jul 22, 2025, 9:29 AM
- Gemini → CancerSun, Jun 21, 2026, 4:24 AM
- Cancer → LeoWed, Jul 22, 2026, 3:13 PM
- Gemini → CancerMon, Jun 21, 2027, 10:10 AM
- Cancer → LeoThu, Jul 22, 2027, 9:04 PMa different date than in UTC (07/23)
- Gemini → CancerTue, Jun 20, 2028, 4:02 PM
- Cancer → LeoSat, Jul 22, 2028, 2:53 AM
More to read
Shorter reads. Each opens in place.
June or July
Cancer birthdays by month
Late June and most of July. Birthdays from about June 21 to July 22 are Cancer. In 2026 that is June 21 to July 22; year by year switches live on June and July.
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Cancer in brief
Cancer, briefly
Cancer is classically a water sign, cardinal and ruled by the Moon. Ptolemy names it Jupiter's exaltation, which is why astrologers pay attention when Jupiter passes through, as it does in the first half of 2026.
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Cancer start times
| Year | UTC | New York | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Jun 20, 21:44 | Jun 20, 5:44 PM | Jun 21, 7:44 AM |
| 2021 | Jun 21, 03:32 | Jun 20, 11:32 PM | Jun 21, 1:32 PM |
| 2022 | Jun 21, 09:14 | Jun 21, 5:14 AM | Jun 21, 7:14 PM |
| 2023 | Jun 21, 14:58 | Jun 21, 10:58 AM | Jun 22, 12:58 AM |
| 2024 | Jun 20, 20:51 | Jun 20, 4:51 PM | Jun 21, 6:51 AM |
| 2025 | Jun 21, 02:42 | Jun 20, 10:42 PM | Jun 21, 12:42 PM |
| 2026 | Jun 21, 08:25 | Jun 21, 4:25 AM | Jun 21, 6:25 PM |
| 2027 | Jun 21, 14:11 | Jun 21, 10:11 AM | Jun 22, 12:11 AM |
| 2028 | Jun 20, 20:02 | Jun 20, 4:02 PM | Jun 21, 6:02 AM |
| 2029 | Jun 21, 01:48 | Jun 20, 9:48 PM | Jun 21, 11:48 AM |
| 2030 | Jun 21, 07:31 | Jun 21, 3:31 AM | Jun 21, 5:31 PM |
All times are UTC. In the Americas the local date can be a day earlier; in Asia and Australia a day later.
Quick answers
What are the Cancer dates for 2026?
Jun 21, 2026, 08:25 UTC to Jul 22, 2026, 19:13 UTC, or Jun 21, 4:25 AM to Jul 22, 3:13 PM on New York clocks.
Is June 21 Gemini or Cancer?
In 2026, Cancer begins at Jun 21, 2026, 08:25 UTC, so June 21 is Cancer from that minute on, and in the Americas from the early hours of the day. Between 1950 and 2030 the start date was June 21 in 68 years, June 22 in 7 years, June 20 in 6 years.
Why is Cancer season the longest?
Earth is near its farthest point from the Sun in early July and moves slowest then, so the Sun takes longest to cross Cancer. In 2026 it takes 31.5 days, and in 2027 31.5.
