Experience the greatest light show on earth

Every year, the sky in Northern Norway above the Arctic Circle turns into a myriad of dancing colours, mesmerising those watching. Tour the Aurora begins as early as September, and you can enjoy front-row seats throughout the season!

Download the NorwayLights app

Its handy forecast helps you find the best time to see the northern lights.

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It's showtime!

Would you like to experience the greatest light show on earth? The next few years are predicted to be especially good for those chasing the spectacular northern lights (but don't worry, there will be PLENTY of auroras in the following years as well!).

“We expect to reach a new peak in 2025.”

"The activity of the sun controls the activity of the northern lights. The sun constantly emits charged particles. Sometimes there are solar storms that emit even more of these particles. Right now, the sun is approaching a new solar maximum, when there is much more activity than usual. There are 11 years between such peaks, and we expect to reach a new peak in 2025," says Pål Brekke, Head of Space Research at the Norwegian Space Agency.

Increased solar activity also maximises your chances of seeing the northern lights in more parts of the country.

Get the very best experience

The greatest light show on earth is not ordinary show, where you can simply appear and know that the diva herself, Lady Aurora, will do the same. She is a shy diva, but don't worry.

Luckily, there are plenty of local, skilful guides who can maximise your chances of witnessing this spectacular phenomenon. With local knowledge, comfortable transportation, and hot beverages, local Aurora whisperers will ensure that you will have an even more immersive experience.

  • A chair with a QR code in Bodø
    Chairs with view of the northern lights in Bodø
    A chair with a QR code in Bodø
    A woman looking at the Northern lights.

About northern lights

What is the aurora?
The lights are created from a collision between electrically charged particles from the sun entering the upper atmosphere of the earth.

Why does the aurora move?
This collision emits lights in the sky that appear to 'dance' in an ever-changing pattern across the sky.

Where can we see the aurora?
The aurora is mostly seen in a belt around the north magnetic pole. This auroral zone passes over northern Scandinavia, Iceland, the southern tip of Greenland, Alaska, and Canada.

What are the best months to see them?
Statistically, spring (March/April) and autumn (September/October) have the highest level of activity. However, you can see them in October, November, December, January, February and March.

What is the best time to see them?
Peak time is between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m..

Are the aurora more visible on cold nights?
The aurora occurs above the altitude of clouds. On cold nights, the sky tends to be clearer, making it easier to see the aurora. However, cold nights and clear skies alone are not the only factor determining the visibility of the northern lights. Other factors, such as geomagnetic activity, light pollution, and local weather conditions, can also influence visibility.

No luck? No worries!

Northern Norway has so much more to offer! There is always something on, both indoors and outdoors. The unique culture scene north of the ordinary will blow you away. No matter if you are a foodie, culture lover, avid museum goer, or simply want to dance the night away, Northern Norway will give you the experience of a lifetime!

Northern cities, including Tromsø and Bodø, the European capital of culture in 2024, have vibrant cultural scenes with concerts and festivals all year round.

Ida Tolou in The Arctic Cathedral
Artist Ida Tolou's top cultural tips in Tromsø

An active holiday

In addition, just being out in the raw and wild nature can be a life changing experience in itself. Go dog sledding, have a close encounter with reindeer, meet the Sami people, feast on king crab, go whale watching or join a guided snowshoe trip. You can even stay in an ice hotel or cabin with a glass roof!

One of the most comfortable ways to experience the auroras are from a front row seat onboard a Hurtigruten or Havila cruise. They even have a northern lights guarantee!

See popular northern lights destinations below.

Dog sledding in the winter landscape on Kvaløya
Northern Norway in winter

Enjoy the show from the front row

Experience the northern lights in Ausvika, just outside the centre of Bodø, in these unique and comfortable aurora chairs by local designer Sander Kommedahl!

  • The greatest light show on earth - Front row seats

    The greatest light show on earth - Explore the Arctic

Book a northern light adventure

Chase the northern lights and the get best offers from our partners.

  • Man standing on deck looking at the northern lights
    4+ Days ・ September - March

    Short winter cruise

    Tromsø and a Hurtigruten CruiseThis tour includes a cruise with Hurtigruten. Choose from a wide selection of winter activities including dog sledding and northern lights excursions. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 7 355 NOK
    Book now
    Hurtigruten and northern lights
    6+ Days ・ September - March

    Northern lights cruise

    Tromsø, the North Cape and KirkenesTour including a return cruise from Tromsø to Kirkenes with Hurtigruten. Visit the North Cape and try winter activities including dog sledding and snowmobiling. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 14 500 NOK
    Book now
    Aurora Dinner Cruise by Brim Explorer
    4 Hours ・ September - March

    Aurora dinner cruise

    Boat tour in TromsøJoin a northern lights cruise and enjoy delicious arctic tapas from our partner in Tromsø, while hunting for the northern lights! / Brim ExplorerPrice From 1 890 NOK
    Book now
    Magical Northern Light by Up Norway
    5 Days ・ December - March

    Magical northern lights

    Dog sledding and reindeer sledding in AltaStay in Alta at an Arctic wilderness resort, a forest chalet and an igloo-style dome. Enjoy dog sledding, snowmobiling, and ice-fishing. / Up NorwayPrice From 40 800 NOK
    Book now
    4+ Days ・ November - March

    Tromsø winter break

    Tromsø, northern lights, dog sleddingWinter break to Tromsø, including dog sledding and a northern lights chase by minibus. Additional winter activities can be added. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 10 320 NOK
    Book now
    Tromsø Wildlife & Northern Lights by Authentic Scandinavia
    4+ Days ・ September - March

    Tromsø wildlife & northern lights

    City break with a wildlife cruiseTake a break to Tromsø with a cruise and hunt for the northern lights. With one free day, you can add winter activities like dog sledding, a reindeer safari, and more. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 8 310 NOK
    Book now
    Norwegian Coastal Highlights by 50 Degrees North
    6 Days ・ September - October

    Autumn auroras on the coast

    Tromsø and SommarøyThis tour includes a guided day tour of Tromsø, sea kayaking, and a sea eagle safari. Stay in a small fishing village and learn how to capture the northern lights on camera. / 50 Degrees North NordicPrice From 16 275 NOK
    Book now
    Lofoten & Northern Lights by 50 Degrees North
    4 Days ・ November - March

    Lofoten & northern lights

    Lofoten archipelago experienceTrip with an aurora-chase guided tour, RIB boat tour, and accommodation in a traditional fisherman's cabin. / 50 Degrees North NordicPrice From 9 498 NOK
    Book now
    Norwegian Fjords & Northern Lights  by Authentic Scandinavia
    6+ Days ・ September - March

    Fjords & northern lights

    Oslo, Bergen, Flåm and TromsøWinter adventure. See the fjords and the Arctic city of Tromsø. Winter activities like dog sledding, a northern lights safari, and much more can be added. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 10 170 NOK
    Book now
    Northern Lights Safari by Fjord Travel
    5 Days ・ November - March

    Northern lights safari

    Round trip from Oslo to TromsøJoin a northern lights round trip. Fly from Oslo to Tromsø and experience all the highlights of the region, including several opportunities to chase the northern lights. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 27 995 NOK
    Book now
    Sled dogs running on snowy terrain under green northern lights
    6 Days ・ November - March

    Northern lights & Tromsø

    Ice hotel and reindeer sleigh rideRound trip from Oslo. Stay at an ice hotel, go on a king crab safari, take a reindeer sleigh ride, and enjoy an Arctic gourmet dinner. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 31 595 NOK
    Book now
    Northern lights over snow-capped mountains and ocean surface
    6 Days ・ October - March

    Northern lights cruise trip

    Cruise and train adventureRound trip from Oslo including a scenic train ride to Trondheim, two nights onboard a cruise ship, a visit to Bodø, Tromsø, and a Viking feast on the Lofoten Islands. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 24 350 NOK
    Book now
    Aurora-Borealis
    8 Days ・ November - March

    Winter cruise & northern lights

    Trip from Kirkenes to BergenFly from Oslo to Kirkenes and stay overnight at a snow hotel, then go wilderness dog sledding before taking a 5-night cruise to Bergen. Visit Trondheim's Nidaros Cathedral and Lofoten along the way. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 34 510 NOK
    Book now
    Aurora Safari Camp in Tromsø by Fjord Tours
    7 Hours ・ October - March

    Aurora safari camp in Tromsø

    Northern lights at a private campYour guide will choose the camp location with the highest chance of seeing the northern lights. All camps have shelters, toilets, campfires, and benches outside. / Fjord ToursPrice From 1 490 NOK
    Book now
    December - February

    Unique northern lights stays

    The best northern lights accommodationCombine a northern lights experience with comfort and luxury. These once-in-a-lifetime stays are in prime locations for optimal aurora borealis viewing. / CampanyonPrice From 3 000 NOK
    Book now
    Northern lights over the crystal lavvo
    24 Hours ・ December - March

    Lavvo and northern lights

    Winter experience outside of TromsøSpend a night in a private crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps. Learn how to photograph the aurora and try snowshoeing. Return transfers, lunch, dinner, and breakfast are also included. / Booknordics.comPrice From 3 390 NOK
    Book now
    Crystal lavvo interior: beds under northern lights and stargazing dome.
    4 Days ・ October - March

    Holiday package in Tromsø

    Trip in Tromsø and the Lyngen AlpsEnjoy two nights in central Tromsø , including a northern lights tour. Stay in a Crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps, with a view of the auroras. Local transfers, activities and meals included. / Booknordics.comPrice From 11 220 NOK
    Book now
    Aurora over snowy landscape with travelers in reindeer sleds
    17 Hours ・ November - March

    Sami experience from Tromsø

    Overnight reindeer sledding tour with lavvo stayTry reindeer sledding, spend the night in a traditional Sami tent, feed reindeer, and enjoy Arctic landscapes. With some luck, the northern lights might appear! / Booknordics.comPrice From 3 995 NOK
    Book now
    A dog sled traveling under the northern lights on a snowy forest path.
    5 Days ・ November - March

    Arctic escape in Alta

    Northern lights, snow hotel, and dog sleddingExperience Oslo city highlights before travelling to the Arctic tundra. Choose between winter activities like dog and reindeer sledding, snowmobile riding, fatbiking, photography and more. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 21 500 NOK
    Book now
    A person on the Stegastein viewpoint overlooking Aurlandsfjorden
    7 Days ・ December - April

    Fjords, cities and the Arctic

    The Flåm railway, fjord cruise and snow hotelTravel between Oslo, Kirkenes, Flåm, and Bergen. Experience the Oslo Opera House, northern lights, Nærøyfjord, Aurlandsfjord, UNESCO-listed Bryggen, and more. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 29 500 NOK
    Book now
    A groupe of people watching the northern lights in Tromsø.
    6 Days ・ September - March

    Northern lights in Tromsø

    6 days in Arctic Norway with activitiesSpend three nights in Tromsø, and join three unique excursions: An Aurora safari by coach to a base station, an evening trip by reindeer or husky sledding, and a northern lights evening cruise safari. / My Nordic TravelFrom 25 000 NOK
    Book now
See all holiday packages

Want to learn more about the northern lights?

Here's everything you need to know.

Man watching the northern lights over Mefjordsletta, Senja
The best time to see the northern lights is now!
The northern lights over the fishing village Reine in Lofoten, Northern Norway
Northern lights
The northern lights hovering above the earth
Aurora borealis from space
  • People learning how to photograph the northern lights in Gildeskål, Northern Norway
    How to photograph the northern lights
    Northern lights over Grøtfjord in Kvaløya, Northern Norway
    What are the northern lights?
    A woman paddling under the northern lights in Lofoten
    The locals’ best tips to see the northern lights