Northern lights hunting

Seeing the Northern Lights is one of the top reasons travelers head to Finnish Lapland. Between September and April, the long nights offer great chances to spot this natural wonder, but there are a few things to keep in mind before you start your “aurora hunt.”

Northern lights can’t be guaranteed

The aurora borealis is a natural phenomenon created when solar particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere. Even during the current solar maximum, a period of intense solar activity, there are no 100% guarantees. Forecasts can only predict visibility a few hours ahead.

While winter is the most popular season for visitors, autumn and spring are actually the most active Northern Lights periods. The skies must be dark and cloudless for sightings, so getting far away from bright lights and buildings is essential. Hilltops and lakeshores are excellent view points, and your chances drop to almost zero when it rains or snows as the clouds simply block the view.

Auroras can also be surprisingly local. It’s possible that the sky above you stays quiet, while just a few kilometres away someone else is watching the lights dance at the same moment. Always check local aurora and weather forecasts, and consider downloading aurora alert apps. My favorite is AuroraAlert! RealTime.

The best time to see the Northern Lights is usually between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., when the sky is darkest and auroral activity peaks.

On average, in Northern Lapland, auroras can be seen up to 200 nights a year, from September to April, whenever the sky is clear and sufficiently dark. Between end of August 2024 and mid-April 2025, I documented every aurora on Instagram and saw 49 occurrences, even though I often slept by 10 p.m. Many shows were missed simply because I was a sleep or I wasn’t outside at the right time.

Choose your tour wisely

In Rovaniemi and other Lapland towns, many companies offer Northern Lights tours. Some take large groups by bus to fixed locations every night, regardless of the weather. Others focus on small groups and flexible routes, following real-time aurora forecasts.

Look for tours that promise an experience, not just a guaranteed sighting. Even if the aurora doesn’t appear, you’ll enjoy the environment and/or the activity. Many companies have started to use term “tour” for the not guaranteed northern lights experience, and “hunting” for actually searching Northern Lights far and wide. But often these tours get canceled last minute due to clouds, while others may drive hundreds of kilometers, sometimes across the border to Norway, in search of clear skies.

Try different ways to hunt Auroras

You don’t have to sit on a bus or a minibus to chase the lights. There are many unique and memorable options:

• Snowmobile Northern Lights Safari: Driving through frozen forests and over silent lakes by snowmobile is a thrill on its own. Even if the sky stays dark, the feeling of speeding through the wilderness at night is unforgettable. PLUS often you would pay around 100€/ person for snowmobiling tour, while Northern lights snowmobile tour go for around 140€/ person, and you drive multiple hours.

• Reindeer Sleigh Ride: A peaceful glide through snowy woods under the stars, and maybe under the aurora connects you to Lapland’s oldest traditions. The quiet rhythm of the sleigh bells and the reindeer’s breath in the cold air make it a truly atmospheric experience. Northern lights Reindeer ride is often also a lot longer reindeer ride that you would get otherwise.

• Aurora by Snowshoes or Huskies: For those who like a bit of adventure, snowshoe hikes or dog-sled rides offer an very unique experience in the dark quiet forests.

These tours turn your aurora hunt into an adventure, not just a waiting game. Pairing aurora hunting with another activity like snowmobiling ensures you get value even if the Northern Lights don’t appear. Many tours combine a few hours of adventure with aurora hunting for a full experience.

DIY Northern lights hunting – Know when and where to go

Many websites, tour companies and articles want you to book a guided tour. But if you rent a car, use aurora apps, and have a bit of adventure spirit, you can explore on your own.

• Self-guided aurora hunt can be very rewarding, giving you the freedom to stop for photography or quiet observation. However, never stop in the middle of the road in the dark. If you need to pull over, use a bus stop, designated parking area, or lay-by. Keep your engine running and lights on so your car battery doesn’t drain, you don’t want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere. Also, make sure you have enough fuel, as gas stations are not around every turn in Lapland.
• Stick to main roads and safe areas, and avoid small private roads. The higher the road number, the smaller and less maintained the road usually is. Field areas are always privately owned and are used for growing crops or, in summer, for grazing cows. Do not walk on fields or leave any litter behind. Never throw trash, cans, or bottles from a moving car or in any case, they often end up in the stomachs of livestock or reindeer, which can be fatal.
• Never wander alone far into dark forests, you can find open lake shores, hilltops or other open areas.
• Use apps for real-time aurora and weather tracking. Windy is very good for predicting cloud cover.

I highly recommend to use some aurora alert apps. My personal favorite is AuroraAlert! RealTime.

Enjoy the athmosphere and dress up warmly

Even without auroras, Lapland nights are pure magic. The crunch of snow, the glow of stars, and the silence of frozen forests create an unforgettable setting. For some the absolut silence might be little spooky, but after a moment you get used to it, and you will forever miss it. The Northern Lights are just one part of a much bigger experience — one you’ll remember long after the lights fade.

It tends to be very cold, especially on clear winter nights when the Northern Lights are most likely to appear. Wear proper winter gear — layers, insulated boots, gloves, and a warm hat.

A comfortable alternative is to stay in a glass igloo, hut, or cozy cottage built for aurora viewing. You can watch the sky from a warm bed, hot drink in hand.

Local perspective

I’ve lived in Lapland for most of my life and have seen the Northern Lights hundreds and hundreds of times. I don’t remember my first auroras, as it is quite normal part of our life. Now when I actually understand how lucky I am to live here and see this magical phenomena often, every single time feels special. Travelers often feel disappointed if they only catch a faint glimpse of green in the sky, forgetting that only a tiny fraction of people on Earth will ever see even that. Of course, everyone dreams of witnessing the sky explode in red and violet waves, but perhaps it wouldn’t be as magical if it happened every night. The beauty of the aurora lies in its unpredictability. Nature decides to surprise us on her own terms.

I’ve lived in Lapland most of my life and have seen the Northern Lights hundreds of times. And every single appearance still feels special.

Find out more about Lapland and Rovaniemi area here!