Alaska is one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis – colourful bands of light that dance in the dark night sky. Travelers from all over the world come to Alaska to see this stunning display and take advantage of other winter experiences like snowmobiling, dog mushing, skiing, festivals and sporting events.

The northern lights occur all four seasons of the year, although they are harder to see under the Midnight Sun. The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is between August and April, when less daylight leads to darker night skies.

Orkney and Shetland
The most northerly parts of the country are the most obvious place to go to see the northern lights. Both the Orkney and Shetland isles have remote areas that will be perfect for viewing them but stay away from populated areas like Lerwick and Kirkwall due to the light pollution.

The best time to see the northern lights is on a cold night in January when the skies are at their darkest and clearest, but the long crisp nights of the autumn and winter months, from October to March, also offer spectacular displays

Tromsø is located in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic and is regarded as one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Kirkenes is another popular destination.

Winter, is the short answer, in the months between September and March for the best time to see northern lights

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, appear during the beginning of September in and around Kiruna in the far north of Sweden. The sky comes alive as streaks of pinks, greens and purples dance high above.

The best time to see the northern lights in Swedish Lapland is between September and March – although we have seen them as early as late-August. Even though the light phenomenon occurs around the clock, it is only visible from Earth when the skies are dark and the ideal time of the day is between 9 pm and 2 am.

In Finland, nature's most spectacular light show, the Aurora Borealis, can be viewed in a range of purpose-built spaces from glass igloos to luxury suites. The Northern Lights are visible on roughly 200 nights a year – or every other clear night – in Finnish Lapland.

The best time to see the northern lights in Finland is from December to March. During these months there are also plenty of fun winter activities for you to enjoy. So even if the weather isn't on your side, you will still have an incredible time in Lapland.

To improve your chances of glimpsing the aurora, drive far out from Reykjavik and away from major artificial light sources. This is a pretty easy thing to do since the vast majority of Iceland is unspoiled and sparsely populated.

Iceland’s most iconic landmarks are popular places to see the Northern Lights. Not far from Reykjavik, admire the lights from Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large hill that rises above the park is a great viewing spot. The beauty of Thingvellir is only enhanced by the flashing night sky.

The best time to see aurora borealis in Iceland is between September and April. It’s when the nights are dark enough to see the aurora and also when the northern lights tours run.

Iceland only gets 2-4 hours of daylight in midwinter, providing endless opportunities to hunt for aurora borealis.

The northern lights occur all four seasons of the year, although they are harder to see under the Midnight Sun. The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is between August and April, when less daylight leads to darker night skies.

It’s possible to see the Lights (almost) anywhere in Canada during all four seasons. But the North is the best place to see them, where they are the most active, most of the time. And the best venues are remote communities with little or no light pollution. Although Northern Canada is regarded as the best place to see them, you can also see the aurora from British Columbia and Alberta in the west to Québec and Newfoundland & Labrador in the east. Simply decide which region you’d like to visit and find the spot to suit you!

November to March is usually the best time to see the lights as the skies are at their darkest. The time of night when the light appears varies depending on your region, but usually between 10 pm and 2 am is a good bet.