A total lunar eclipse will be visible across the nation as the March full moon slips behind the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow, and one Binghamton-area restaurant is celebrating the rare event with free queso.
The March full “Worm Moon” will coincide with a rare total lunar eclipse. According to The Farmer’s Almanac, as the Earth’s shadow moves across the moon, it will darken and “take on a warm, coppery glow” visible to the naked eye, causing the moon to also be known as the “Blood Moon.”
To celebrate this phenomenon, QDOBA will be giving away free “Red Moon” Queso Diablo and chips, according to a press release, in order to give guests “a bold new way to experience this lunar-inspired queso.”
Here’s what to know about the eclipse and how to see it in Binghamton, and how to grab your free snack.
When is the lunar eclipse?
New Yorkers will be able to see the eclipse starting at 3:44 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 3, according to NASA. During the night, you’ll see the moon in a reddish hue, or a blood moon. That coincides with when the full Worm Moon will appear in the sky.
What will you see during the March 2026 total lunar eclipse?
From start to finish, a total lunar eclipse is a magnificent sight to behold. The entire eclipse will last nearly six hours and should be visible in North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia and Antarctica.
Here’s what New Yorkers will see during the event, according to NASA:
Will the lunar eclipse be visible in Binghamton?
National Weather Service Binghamton meteorologist Michael Murphy said the chances of clearly seeing the eclipse are “not looking great.”
While clear skies are expected in the Binghamton area until midnight March 2, clouds will start to move in after midnight and cloud cover will increase continuously. By 4 a.m., the forecast shows mostly cloudy skies and overcast weather is expected at sunrise.
Despite the grim forecast, Binghamton-area residents can still celebrate the rare event with QDOBA.
How to get free QDOBA “Red Moon” Queso Diablo on March 3
According to a QDOBA press release, here’s what to know about the March 3 offer and how to get it.
Along with this specific offer, QDOBA will be offering “Free Full Moon Queso” during restaurant offers on every 2026 monthly full moon, according to the press release, which occur on the following dates:
QDOBA, located at 2512 Vestal Parkway E., is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Total lunar eclipse in Binghamton comes with free QDOBA queso diablo
Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch and Victoria E. Freile, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
