You don't have to wait for winter to experience the northern lights in Norway. The aurora season in Northern Norway starts in late August, with dark nights, autumn colours and plenty of daylight for outdoor adventures.
Northern lights in Norway in autumn
Why see the northern lights in autumn?
Think northern lights means snow and midwinter? Think again.
Come north in early autumn and you can combine northern lights at night with milder weather, fewer visitors and a whole range of adventures.
And while the aurora can be seen across all of Norway when conditions are right, your best chance to see it is in Northern Norway.
The northern lights season starts earlier than you might think.
In parts of Northern Norway, the nights are dark enough to see the northern lights from late August.
By September, the aurora season is well underway. You can watch the lights dance above mountains that are still free of snow, see them reflected in open fjords and lakes, and experience the landscape dressed in autumn colours.
The northern lights don't need snow or freezing temperatures to appear. They need solar activity and a dark, clear sky.
Daytime activities
And that brings us to another reason to come early: you can make the most out of the days, too!
Spend the daylight hours hiking through autumn colours, kayaking on open fjords, watching wildlife, or exploring the coast by car. Get to know the Sami people of the north, and dig deeper into the Viking culture. Then, when darkness falls, swap the daytime adventure for a northern lights hunt.
Month by month
September offers a chance to combine the last glimmers of summer with the northern lights! Enjoy long days with lots of activities, then go star gazing and aurora hunting in the late evening.
October may bring a light drizzle of snow on the mountain tops, and you might wake up to a white carpet in colder areas. But you still have quite long days, while the evenings get darker and darker.
In November, the climate can vary quite a bit. Winter is approaching, but at the same time, coastal areas are warmed by the Gulf Stream, meaning you may get snow, but you may also get rain or even a glimpse of the low late autumn sun. The daylight is now fading more quickly, although you still have several hours of daylight, especially in the southern parts of Northern Norway. This is a very quiet and nice time to visit if you want to avoid crowds.
November also marks the onset of the humpback and orca whale watching season in Skjervøy, close to Tromsø and Alta, as well as in Vesterålen, where you can also see the sperm whale all year round.
And in late November, destinations also start preparing for Christmas!
The weather is milder
Norway can be chilly at any time of year, especially after dark. But an autumn northern lights hunt will often be milder than standing outside on a cold winter night, especially early in the season. Temperatures can typically range between 0 and 12 degrees Celsius.
That can make a big difference when you're waiting for the aurora to appear, particularly for families or anyone who would rather experience the Arctic while avoiding the coldest winter temperatures.
PS! You'll still need warm layers, wool, a waterproof jacket and good footwear. This is Norway, after all.
A time for kos
You might get sunny days where the low rays of the sunlight make the landscapes otherworldly beautiful, but you may also get autumn storms. This can be an unforgettable experience in itself, if you're in a cosy cabin close to nature.
There are also many interesting indoor attractions you can explore if the weather is bad, especially in places such as Tromsø, Bodø or Lofoten.
Cultural highlights
Autumn is also typically a great time to explore Norway's buzzing cultural scene, with lots of concerts, culture festivals and events going on.
In restaurants, you can sample the seasonal tastes of autumn: lamb, mushrooms and game meat will often be on the menu, in addition to Norway's tasty seafood, of course.
Autumn is a more quiet time in Northern Norway, before the busy winter season gets into full swing.
Go with a local guide
Want to improve your chances of seeing the Northern lights? Join a guided tour.
Northern Norway offers excellent opportunities across a huge area, from Lofoten, Vesterålen and Bodø to Tromsø, Senja, Alta and further north in Kirkenes and Finnmark. You don't need to find one perfect spot. A dark, clear sky is what matters the most.
Local guides keep a close eye on cloud cover, weather and aurora forecasts, and know where to find good viewing spots away from strong artificial light. If conditions aren't right in one place, they may take you somewhere else in search of clearer skies.
September, October, and November are good months to join a northern lights tour, and travelling in autumn can mean smaller groups than during the busiest winter periods.
Many guides will also help you photograph the aurora, so you can take home more than just the memory.
Hunt the auroras
A guided tour increases you chances of seing the northern lights.
Book nowSortlandNorthern lights safari - Vesterålen Tours
Vesterålen is located geographically just below the northern lights oval, which makes the region one of the world's best destinations for seeing the northern lights. From 2022 and onwards, aurora activity will be high due to the solar cycle reaching its peak soon.
Book nowBodøeBike Northern Lights tour by the bonfire in Bodø
An ebike tour to the seaside offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Following the roads north of the city, we reach the beach, where we get a bonfire going. As night falls, there's a chance to witness the northern lights dancing across the sky - a truly magical, unforgettable experience.
Book nowSvolværNorthern Lights Photo Tour - XXLofoten
Join us in the hunt for one of the most fantastic phenomen of nature, - the northern light. On this tour there are a maximum of 7 participants, which guarantees you an exclusive adventure. Our Northern light guide is an experienced photographer, and will make sure that you learn the necessary techniques to catch the Aurora Borealis on your camera. You will learn more about northern light and with our local knowledge, we will do our outmost to make sure that you have an memorable experience.
A quiet time to travel
With fewer visitors, northern lights tours in autumn can feel less crowded, and there is often more availability both at hotels and with various activities, and hotel rates tend to be lower. Out in nature, you may find you have even more of those big landscapes to yourself.
It's also a good time to slow down and stay somewhere with a little extra character. Check into one of Norway's historic hotels, a tranquil seaside resort or a cosy rorbu – a traditional fisherman's cabin – settle in for a good meal, and enjoy a nice base for your autumn adventures.
A tranquil island retreat
Want to do something really special? Head out to the spectacular Ytri Island Resort on the remote island of Træna on the Helgeland coast, and combine it with a hike through the Torghatten mountain in Brønnøysund.
Things to see and do
Go hiking, whale watching, or on a moose safari! Explore the Sami culture and ancient Viking sites.
Book a northern light adventure
Chase the northern lights and the get best offers from our partners.
4+ Days ・ September - MarchBook nowShort 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Where will you see the lights?
Find your perfect base in the north, whether you want city life and guided tours, wild coastal landscapes or an Arctic adventure far from the crowds.
