Best time to see the Northern Lights 2025

The Northern Lights, that mesmerizing and incredible light phenomenon in the sky, attract thousands of travelers every year to Northern Finland, Iceland, Norway, and other parts of the Nordic region.

But when is the best time to see the Northern Lights? In this article, we will explore the optimal times for aurora hunting in 2025 and the key factors that influence their visibility.

Best time to see the Northern Lights 2025

What actually causes the northern lights?

The Northern Lights are created when charged particles ejected from the Sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere. Our previous article describes this well:

“The Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, is a natural light phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere.

These particles travel with the solar wind and are directed toward Earth’s magnetic poles. When they interact with atmospheric gases, such as oxygen and nitrogen, stunning light displays occur.”*

The colors produced by this collision vary depending on the altitude and the type of gases the solar wind particles interact with.

How often do Northern Lights happen?

The Northern Lights occur year-round, but their visibility varies depending on solar activity and weather conditions. The Northern Lights – Everything You Need to Know article summarizes it well:

”Although the Aurora Borealis can occur at any time of day, they are best seen at night because the dark sky provides the ideal contrast for them to stand out. In daylight, auroras often remain invisible, even if they are present in the sky”

We are often asked, do the Northern Lights come every night? While the auroras can appear on multiple consecutive nights, they are not visible every single night. According to statistics from the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights are in the northernmost parts of Lapland, such as Kilpisjärvi and Utsjoki. In these areas, the auroras light up the sky three nights out of four during the winter season.

How often do the Northern Lights happen?

How long do aurora shows last?

The duration of the Northern Lights can range from a few minutes to several hours. A single auroral burst may last only a moment, but on active nights, multiple waves of auroras can appear one after another.

Our previous article summarizes this well: “A single auroral display can be a brief flash or a long-lasting, dancing light show. Strong geomagnetic storms can produce auroras for several hours, while weaker events may only last for a short moment.”

If geomagnetic activity is high, the Northern Lights can continue throughout the entire night.

What is the best time to see the northern lights tonight?

The best time to see the Northern Lights is usually at night when the sky is at its darkest and geomagnetic activity is often at its peak. As stated in The Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis -article:

“The best time to admire the Northern Lights is late at night, typically between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM. This is when the auroras are usually at their brightest and most intense.”

The exact timing may vary depending on location and weather conditions, so your best chance of spotting the Northern Lights is by following aurora forecasts and space weather updates.

Which month is best for the northern lights?

The best time to see the Northern Lights is as the nights get darker with the approach of winter, lasting until the winter darkness begins to fade. As stated in an article from Levi, the Northern Lights season in the North lasts for about seven months:

“As soon as the nights start to darken after the Midnight Sun period ends, the Northern Lights become visible again.”

From September to March, the nights are dark enough, and the sky is usually clearer. During autumn and spring, geomagnetic activity is typically at its highest, which further increases the chances of seeing the auroras.

Which month is best for the northern lights?

What country sees the Northern Lights the most?

The Northern Lights are best seen in the polar regions, particularly in the so-called auroral zone. Some of the most well-known Northern Lights destinations worldwide are Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Canada, and Alaska. In these countries, the Northern Lights are common and can be observed several times a week during the winter season.

What is the best time to see the northern lights in Finland?

As in other parts of the Nordic region, the best time for Aurora hunting in Finland is between September and March, after 10:00 PM. At this time, it is guaranteed to be dark in Lapland, and geomagnetic radiation is also stronger. During the winter season, the Northern Lights can be spotted in Lapland on up to three out of four nights.

In the article Finnish Lapland – Best place to see the Northern Lights, you can learn more about the Northern Lights in Lapland.

What country sees the Northern Lights the most?

Can I see the northern lights in the summer?

During the summer months, the Northern Lights are usually not visible because the nights are too bright north of the Arctic Circle. During the Midnight Sun period, the sky does not get dark enough for the auroras to stand out.

Summary

The Northern Lights are one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena, and their appearance depends on many factors, such as solar activity, the time of year, and weather conditions. The best time to see the Northern Lights is from September to March, especially around midnight.

The Finnish Lapland region is one of the best places in the world to observe the Northern Lights. Lapland’s unique location in the auroral zone, long cloudless and dark winter nights, and minimal light pollution make it one of the top Northern Lights destinations worldwide.

If you dream of a Northern Lights trip to Finnish Lapland, contact us, and let’s go aurora hunting together!