When can I see the Northern Lights?

Northern lights in September

In September, Arctic landscapes blaze with autumn colour and set the scene for unforgettable outdoor adventures. Night skies (while not as long as in winter) are exceptionally dark. And this — along with the autumn equinox — means you have an excellent chance of seeing the aurora borealis in September.

• Typical weather: Cool and relatively dry
• Hours of daylight: 11 to 15 hours
• Activity highlights: Hiking, aurora photography, foraging tours, kayaking

Northern lights in October

Travel to see the aurora borealis in October and you’re treated to crisp, autumn days — and the last flash of golden colour before the first snowfall in November. This is a great time of year to embark on a self-drive adventure and to enjoy the hush of the Arctic wilderness, experiencing travel hotspots out of peak season.

• Typical weather: Dry and cool
• Hours of daylight: 7 to 11 hours
• Activity highlights: Fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, fly-drive adventures

Northern lights in November

In November, leaves have left the trees and snow is beginning to fall. This is a transitional month that brings changeable weather and cloudy skies to the Arctic. So seeing the aurora borealis in November requires a little extra planning. This is an ideal time to visit regions like Abisko and the glaciers of Iceland, which have their own unique microclimate and a higher-than-average number of clear nights.

• Typical weather: Unsettled and cold
• Hours of daylight: 0 to 8 hours
• Activity highlights: Spa and sauna activities, cultural visits to Sámi communities, whale watching in Norway

Northern lights in December

Travel to see the aurora borealis in December and you’ll find the Arctic wilderness transformed into a winter wonderland. It’s the perfect setting for thrilling outdoor adventures and festive fun in the snow. At this time of year, nights draw in and, depending on the location you choose for your northern lights tour, the sun may not rise at all. That means lots of hours in which to see the aurora.

• Typical weather: Cold with some cloudy and snowy nights
• Hours of daylight: 0 to 5 hours
• Activity highlights: Snowmobiling, reindeer sleigh rides, husky sledding, visits to see Santa Claus

Northern lights in January

On a trip to see the aurora borealis in January, you witness the Arctic in the depths of winter. Long, dark nights, cold temperatures and icy stillness — it’s an experience like no other. The pastel skies of twilight hours are a dream for photographers and, as you can imagine, the Arctic is a magical place to welcome in the New Year. How about seeing a fireworks display in one of the most northerly cities on Earth?

• Typical weather: Very cold with some cloudy and snowy nights
• Hours of daylight: 0 to 7 hours
• Activity highlights: Ice climbing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, skiing

Northern lights in February

Thinking of travelling to see the aurora borealis in February? It’s an excellent choice. This is one of the best months to visit the Arctic. Winter activities are still in full swing but temperatures are starting to rise. Now that the snow has stopped falling, clear skies are also more likely, which means aurora visibility increases.

• Typical weather: Cold and dry
• Hours of daylight: 5 to 10 hours
• Activity highlights: Husky sledding, snowmobiling, fjord cruises, glacier hikes

Northern lights in March

Spring takes a little while to reach the Arctic. So if you travel to see the aurora borealis in March, you’ll find snowy landscapes sparkling under a spring sun. Winter activities are still on offer and the spring equinox means you have an excellent chance of seeing the northern lights.

• Typical weather: Cool and dry
• Hours of daylight: 10 to 15 hours
• Activity highlights: Snowmobiling, husky sledding, cross-country skiing

Northern lights in April

To see the aurora borealis in April, you need to travel to the Arctic at the very start of the month — before the days grow too long. At this time of year, the landscape starts to thaw. So you’re treated to warmer, sunnier days and the beautiful first signs of spring.

• Typical weather: Mild and dry
• Hours of daylight: 14 to 18 hours
• Activity highlights: Snowmobiling on Iceland’s glaciers, hiking, northern lights photography

When is the best time for northern lights holidays in Finland?

If you have your heart set on seeing the northern lights in Finland, you’re in for a classic Arctic experience.

• Autumn. Finns refer to autumn months as “ruska”. It’s a time when the leaves change from green to gold and the landscape bursts with colour. You can enjoy adventures in the great outdoors, forage for mushrooms and berries and sample world-renowned Finnish sauna culture.
• Winter. From December onwards, the Finnish fells are transformed. Covered with snow, they’re the perfect powdery playground for snowmobiling, husky sledding, ice fishing and more. This is also a magical time of year to visit Santa and his elves. Just be prepared to wrap up warm. Winter temperatures in Finnish Lapland drop well below freezing.
• Spring. Finland continues to delight in spring, with icy, snowy landscapes and enough daylight for longer excursions. The Lapland region of Finland doesn’t start to thaw until April so snow is at its deepest — ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Norway?

Deciding when to see the northern lights in Norway? Here’s what you can expect from each of the aurora seasons.

• Autumn. You can see sperm whales in Norway all year round. But from late October to January, they’re joined by orcas and humpback whales, making this prime whale-watching season.
• Winter. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Norway’s fjords don’t freeze over, even in the depths of winter. So, at this time of year, you can enjoy snow-based activities on land and embark on unforgettable fjord cruises, looking out for the dancing colours of the aurora along the way.
• Spring. Deep snow. Clear nights. And excellent aurora viewing. Spring is an excellent time to visit northern Norway. And to venture to the islands of Svalbard, where you can experience the “pastel winter”, as the sun casts beautiful tones of pink, peach and lilac across the snowy landscape.

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Sweden?

Depending on when you choose to see the northern lights in Sweden, you enjoy a unique Arctic experience.

• Autumn. Like Finland, Sweden is known for its dramatic autumn landscapes. Soak in the scenery on hiking, mountain biking and kayaking adventures. Or travel up Mount Nuolja for exceptional views of Abisko National Park and the northern lights.
• Winter. The Original Ice Hotel opens in December — great for overnight stays or a cocktail hour with a difference. This is also an incredible time to explore the Luleå archipelago, where you can hop between islands, driving or skiing across a frozen sea.
• Spring. Head to Swedish Lapland in spring and there’s still plenty of snow on the ground. You can go snowmobiling, husky sledding or ice fishing right up to early April. But you can also count on longer days and bright, sunny weather.

When is the best time to see the aurora borealis in Iceland?

Explore dramatic volcanoes, hot springs and waterfalls — and snowmobile on Iceland’s glaciers. You can enjoy these sights and activities all year round. But there are some seasonal differences to bear in mind when deciding when to see the northern lights in Iceland.

• Autumn. Iceland’s mountains are capped with snow. But roads are clear. So autumn is a great time for self-drive tours in Iceland in both north and south Iceland. You can also embark on outdoor activities, like horseback riding and quad biking.
• Winter. Winter comes a little later to Iceland than it does to Sweden, Norway and Finland. So delay your trip until mid-December if you want to enjoy snow-based activities like husky sledding. This is also a wonderful time to warm up between winter excursions at one of Iceland’s many geothermal springs — or in a private hot tub back at your hotel.
• Spring. Warmer temperatures make exploring Iceland in spring a wonderful experience. The snow may be starting to melt but you can still venture into electric blue ice caves, hike across glaciers and see frozen waterfalls thundering back into life.