{"id":876204,"date":"2025-01-15T04:03:26","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T03:03:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adventureworld.com\/blog\/?p=876204"},"modified":"2025-12-04T05:01:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T04:01:28","slug":"the-best-times-places-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adventureworld.com\/blog\/the-best-times-places-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The best times & places to see the northern lights in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The vivid pinks, purples, reds, blues and greens of the aurora borealis are lighting up social media as they dance over northern Europe and North America right now. And If you’ve been wondering when the best time is to see the ultimate glow show for yourself, the good news is that the current displays are just a warm-up for the main event: as the solar maximum approaches, the aurora is forecast to peak in 2026. Follow our guide to learn more about what to expect and how to plan your aurora viewing holiday. But first, a quick look at the science\u2026<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Northern Lights near Fairbanks, Alaska<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What are the Northern Lights? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Also known as the aurora borealis, the northern lights form when charged particles from the sun, known as solar wind, collide with Earth\u2019s atmosphere. As these particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen, they release energy in the form of light. This creates a spectacular display of shimmering curtains, dynamic spirals, or arcs in colours like green, purple, red, and blue, with oxygen producing greens and reds, and nitrogen creating purples, blues, and pinks. The various shapes are influenced by Earth’s magnetic field.<\/p>

The aurora borealis is usually visible in regions above the Arctic Circle, such as Alaska, Canada, and the northern reaches of Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland. Its counterpart, the aurora australis (southern lights), occurs near Antarctica, but can sometimes be visible in southern Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and parts of South America. Both auroras form in the same way \u2013 solar particles are channelled towards the poles by Earth\u2019s magnetic field, just in opposite hemispheres. While both displays are breathtaking, the aurora borealis is generally more accessible, especially during solar maximum, the peak of the sun’s 11-year activity cycle, when solar activity intensifies the auroras.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn more about how the Aurora forms in this NASA video<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland with Harriniva Hotels & Safaris<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The best months to see the northern lights<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The best time to see the aurora borealis is from late September to March, with December through to February bringing the most favourable conditions. This is because in winter, the Earth is tilted in such a way that the polar regions receive extended hours of darkness and the weather is often clear, with the cold air offering less cloud cover and better visibility. And the further north you go, the better your chances of seeing them. Another factor to consider is the moon\u2019s phases: a bright full moon can wash out the aurora\u2019s colours and reduce visibility, so plan your aurora-viewing holiday around a new moon or a crescent moon phase. This handy calendar<\/a> from the Perth Observatory shows the moon\u2019s phases for 2026 while NASA\u2019s interactive moon guide<\/a> has daily updates.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why the northern lights are more active around the equinoxes <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Around the equinoxes in March and September, geomagnetic activity ramps up, making the Northern Lights easier to spot. At these times, Earth\u2019s orientation allows solar wind to interact more directly with the magnetosphere, enhancing geomagnetic storms that fuel the auroras. Plus, the polar regions are in just the right spot to get a better view of all the action, as the Northern Lights dance more brightly and frequently. For 2026, the equinoxes will occur on March 20 (vernal\/spring equinox) and September 23 (autumnal equinox), while the solstices occur on June 21 (summer) and December 21 (winter).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Northern Lights over Lofoten Islands<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The best places to see the northern lights in 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The ideal locations to view the aurora borealis are within or near the Arctic Circle with clear, with dark skies away from light pollution. Here, just a few standout locations for 2026 and beyond:<\/p>

Norway<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>

Alta is known as the City of the Northern Lights and has a long history of aurora research. It offers clear skies and dry conditions, making it an ideal spot for sightings, plus it also has several hotels designed for aurora viewing, including glass igloos! Troms\u00f8 is the Gateway to the Arctic, and its accessibility, vibrant city life, and surrounding wilderness make it an ideal base for aurora chasers. And, the Lofoten Islands are renowned for their dramatic landscapes, with rugged peaks, fjords, and picturesque fishing villages \u2013 the perfect setting for aurora viewing.<\/p>

Standout holiday: Authentic Fjords of Norway<\/a><\/strong><\/p>

Located between the 74th and 81st parallels north, the Svalbard Archipelago is closer to the North Pole than it is to Norway \u2013 making it a great place to look for the northern lights alongside Troms\u00f8, the Lofoten Islands and Alta. You\u2019ll visit them all and more on this stellar 12-day adventure.<\/p>

Churchill, Canada<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>

Churchill offers prime conditions for aurora viewing thanks to its position on the western shores of Hudson Bay under the auroral oval, clear skies, minimal light pollution and extended winter nights, with the peak season being February to March. However, if you\u2019re also a wildlife lover, it may be worth considering October-November: even though the aurora may be a little less reliable, it\u2019s also peak season in the Polar Bear Capital of the World\u00a0<\/p>

Standout holiday:<\/strong> Polar Bears At Tundra Buggy Lodge<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Speak to Adventure World\u2019s<\/a> experts about Churchill\u2019s specialised aurora-viewing adventures, but if you love wildlife,\u00a0 this excellent itinerary doubles down on the wonders as you can watch polar bears by day then look for Lady Aurora each night on the tundra.<\/p>

Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>

The intriguing island nation\u2019s hottest aurora spots include Thingvellir National Park<\/a>, with its dramatic landscapes and minimal light pollution; \u00a0J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n Glacier Lagoon, where the auroras reflect off the water; and Vik, where rugged beaches add an extra layer of magic. While Reykjavik has some light pollution, it can still be a good base for seeing the Northern Lights, especially if you’re willing to drive a short distance out of the city to darker areas, including the Gr\u00f3tta Lighthouse or the Reykjanes Peninsula. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula and H\u00fasav\u00edk, known for whale watching, also offer excellent aurora viewing away from the crowds.<\/p>

Standout holiday:<\/strong> Hidden Powers And Northern Lights<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

This 5-night journey takes you to the wild heart of the south coast where you\u2019ll find a range of aurora-friendly locations and visit more Iceland must-sees including Thingvellir, Reykjavik, Gullfoss, Diamond Beach,\u202fthe Eyjafjallaj\u00f6kull\u202fvolcano, and the\u202fBlue Lagoon<\/a>.<\/p>

Alaska, USA<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>

Located directly under the auroral oval in central Alaska, Fairbanks is one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights, with consistent activity and a long aurora season from August to April, dark skies and minimal light pollution.<\/p>

Standout holiday:<\/strong> Authentic Alaskan Aurora Adventure<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

On this 9-day itinerary you\u2019ll take a flightseeing tour across the Arctic Circle and stay just outside of Fairbanks at Borealis Basecamp<\/a>, where your fibreglass igloo is designed to maximise your aurora views.<\/p>

Finland<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>

Finnish Lapland is famous for its aurora viewing opportunities, thanks to its vast wilderness, dark skies, and high-latitude viewpoints. In the heart of the region at Rovaniemi, you can stay in glass igloos or cabins with clear roofs to watch the lights in comfort. Nearby the well-known ski resort, Levi,<\/a> offers both stunning aurora displays and winter activities like snowshoeing and dogsledding. Similarly, serene Inari is an ideal spot to see the Northern Lights while also experiencing Sami culture.<\/p>

Standout holiday: Best of Lapland<\/a><\/strong><\/p>

This five-night adventure is designed to maximise your northern lights action, taking in the best of Levi, staying in an Aurora Cabin, aurora hunting by snowmobile, taking part in a northern lights photography workshop, and more.<\/p>

Sweden<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>

Check out our blog, Unique Stays in Swedish Lapland<\/strong><\/a>, for aurora-viewing adventures that\u2019ll see you enjoying the show in chic suites, rooms made of ice and UFOs!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Northern Lights over Mount Kirkjufell in Iceland<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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How to photograph the northern lights <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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While it\u2019s important to enjoy the experience with your own eyes, \u00a0\u00a0 you might only see a faint, wispy, or muted glow, with colours ranging from pale green to pink, and generally more subtle than what your camera can capture. That\u2019s because our eyes are less sensitive to light than the camera, especially in the dark. By using longer exposure times, the camera can accumulate the aurora\u2019s light, making it appear brighter and more detailed in the photo than you\u2019ll see in person. If you\u2019re hoping to capture the action, these northern lights photography tips will get you started:<\/p>

If you have a mirrorless or DSLR camera:<\/strong><\/h4>