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Best Time to Visit Lapland to See the Northern Lights

Best Time to Visit Lapland to See the Northern Lights

DigitalrezaidPlanning, DESTINATIONS, Activities, TRAVEL TIPS, COUNTRY GUIDES3 days ago3.5K Views

Okay, here’s the thing — if you’re dreaming about catching the Northern Lights in Lapland, you’re definitely not alone. It’s on a ton of people’s bucket lists. But wow, figuring out the best time to actually see them without just freezing your face off or sitting under a cloudy sky the whole trip? Yeah… not exactly simple.

I went down that rabbit hole when planning my own trip, and let me tell you — there’s a lot more to it than just booking a cabin and hoping the sky puts on a show. So, I pulled together all the stuff I wish I’d known beforehand — and I’m keeping it real, not sugarcoated. Here we go.

Why Lapland, Though?

What’s So Special About It?

Lapland is prime territory. It’s way up in the north, inside this thing called the “Aurora Oval,” which just means there’s way more magnetic activity. Basically: more activity = more chances to see the lights. Plus, the towns up there are teeny-tiny. Less light pollution, fewer buildings blocking your view, and yeah — way more dark sky. Total win. You can learn more about where Lapland is located and what makes it special. It spans across parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia — a vast Arctic region rich in culture and natural beauty.

Okay But… What Time of Year Actually Works?

Honestly, if you want a shot at seeing the lights, don’t even bother going outside from September to March. The summer’s cool and all (Midnight Sun is wild), but it’s too bright. Like, literally, the sun doesn’t set. You need darkness.

The real sweet spot? Depends on your cold tolerance, honestly. September and March are milder, but December and January? They’re aurora-heavy — if you can handle -25°C without crying.

What’s the Weather Like in Lapland? (Spoiler: Cold. But Also... Weird.)

So here’s a rough idea:

September: Still autumn vibes, less snow, but dark enough for auroras.
October–November: Temps drop, snow starts falling, more moody skies.
December–January: Basically no daylight. Like, it’s “is it 3 am or 3 pm?” kind of confusing.
February–March: Still cold, but clearer skies, and a bit more daylight (finally).

Plan based on what your face and fingers can handle, seriously.

What are the best months to go to Finnish Lapland?

Lots of folks head to Rovaniemi — the Santa town — which is cool, but if you want less fluff and more lights, try heading further north. For timing, March is honestly kind of perfect. Long nights, but not horrifically cold. September’s great too, and underrated.

December looks magical in pictures, but it gets cloudy a lot. I froze my butt off for three nights and got nothing but grey skies. Go figure.

Clouds Are Your Enemy. Seriously.

I cannot stress this enough: clouds ruin everything. Even if the aurora forecast is amazing, if it’s cloudy, you’re outta luck.

Snowstorms are another issue. Pretty? Sure. Helpful? Not at all. Always check the cloud cover map, not just the aurora forecast. Learned that the hard way.

Where in Lapland Should You Go?

If you’re down to really get away from everything (and I mean everything), check out:

Utsjoki — wayyy north, super remote, super dark.
Saariselkä — great balance of access + visibility.
Inari — more cultural stuff + solid aurora odds.
Kilpisjärvi is surrounded by mountains and is super scenic.

Pro tip: just pick a place with minimal street lights. You don’t need a fancy resort if the sky’s clear and you’ve got thermals.

When During the Night Should You Look Up?

So here’s the awkward truth: they don’t always show up at a “perfect time.” That said, most of the action tends to happen between 10 pm and 2 am.

Some nights they kick off at 9. Other nights, they wait until you’ve almost frozen solid before popping up at 1:30 am for 15 minutes. Just stay patient… and caffeinated.

Want to Avoid the Tourist Madness?

If you’re allergic to crowds (hi, same), then try to avoid Christmas and New Year’s. That’s when everyone and their kids’ class shows up to visit Santa and ride reindeer. It’s chaotic.

Instead, try late January to March — fewer people, better aurora odds, and still all the winter magic without elbowing your way through families.

Use the Right Aurora Forecast Apps

Don’t wing it. You’ll waste hours. Use:

My Aurora Forecast – simple and free
Aurora Alert Realtime
SpaceWeatherLive

Look for a KP index of 4 or higher, and also check local cloud cover. Honestly, the cloud forecast matters just as much as the aurora one.

So... Can You See Them at Christmas?

Yes, but… depends. I know someone who saw nothing during their entire 5-day December trip. I also know someone else who saw them dancing for hours on Christmas Eve.

It’s kind of a gamble. But if you’re going for the whole Santa-village snow globe vibe? You’ll love it, lights or not.

Is September Actually Good?

I used to think it was too early in the season, but I was so wrong. September’s awesome because:

Nights are dark enough
There’s way less snow/cloud cover.
It’s not freezing yet.
Autumn colors = amazing photos.

Big fan now. 10/10 would recommend. If you’re planning a trip, check out some September vacation spots. From national parks to scenic coastal drives, it’s one of the best months for great weather and fewer crowds.

How Cold Are We Talking?

Brace yourself:

December–February: -20°C is totally normal. Sometimes worse.
March: Still cold, but like, doable.
September: Honestly, not bad like -5 °C or so.

You’re gonna want thermal everything. Don’t skimp on boots, gloves, or layers.

Want Photos? Here’s What You’ll Need

You can get a decent shot on a newer iPhone (some models), but if you’re serious:

DSLR or mirrorless camera
Tripod (non-negotiable)
Wide-angle lens
Long exposure (5–15 seconds)
High ISO, low aperture, patience

Also, your battery will die fast in the cold. Bring extras. Stick ’em in your inner pocket to keep them warm.

Should You Book a Tour or Go Rogue?

Tours are awesome if you’re short on time or don’t want to drive. They know where to go and when. But if you’ve got a rental car and a sense of direction? DIY all the way. You can stop whenever, snack in peace, and chase clear skies at your own pace.

When’s Best for Families?

Mid-February to March is a good sweet spot. Still snowy, still dark, but not miserably cold. The kids can do husky rides during the day, and you still get good chances at night.

Where to Stay? (Glass Igloos Are Cool but $$$)

If you’ve got cash to burn:

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Levi Northern Lights Huts
Aurora Village Ivalo

If not? Just find a quiet Airbnb or a remote cabin. Bonus if it has an outdoor hot tub. Also, some places have aurora alarms that buzz when the lights show up — no need to stay up freezing all night.

Don’t Just Chase Lights — Try This Stuff Too

If you’re already in Lapland, don’t just sit around waiting. Try:

Reindeer sleigh rides
Husky sledding
Snowmobiling through frozen forests
Sami cultural tours

It makes the trip way more than just “did we see lights or not?”

How to Not Freeze to Death (Literally)

You’ll be standing still… outside… at midnight. Here’s the move:

Wear merino or thermal base layers
Then fleece
Then, a down jacket or an insulated coat
Wool socks. Good boots. Mittens, not gloves.
Balaclava if it’s super cold

Hot tea or cocoa in a thermos = lifesaver

How Often Do the Lights Actually Show?

On average, they say every 2–3 nights in aurora season if the skies are clear. But again, nature does what it wants. You might see nothing for 3 nights, then get a full-blown sky dance on your last night.

So yeah… give yourself a few nights. Don’t bank on just one.

Final Thoughts

So yeah, Lapland is straight-up magical — snow-covered forests, reindeer, frozen lakes, and that deep quiet you only get in the wild north. The Northern Lights? They’re the cherry on top. When they show up, it’s unreal. If they don’t, well… everything else is still pretty freaking amazing.

Just don’t forget to check the weather, wear too many layers, and give yourself time. The lights aren’t guaranteed, but when they show — wow. Totally worth it.