The northern lights lit up the skies across the UK and Europe several times this year, and experts are predicting 2025 will be a great year for spotting the often elusive light show.
The dazzling natural phenomenon, also known as the aurora borealis, has been particularly active in late 2024 and this will continue into next year.
The auroras, which are most commonly seen over high polar latitudes but can spread south, are chiefly influenced by geomagnetic storms that originate from activity on the sun.
Here are the best places in Europe to catch the light show in the 12 months ahead.
Iceland
The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is between September and April, when the skies are dark and clear, and the temperature is cold and dry. The darker it is, the better the chance of seeing the vibrant colours of the aurora.
Norway
Northern Norway is dark from afternoon until late morning, when the northern lights frequently soar across the sky. This part of Norway, with its multiple islands, deep fjords and steep mountains, is one of the world’s most beautiful and interesting places in which to see the northern lights.
Finland
The best time to visit the northern parts of Finland to catch a glimpse of the auroras is between August and April. While winter is the most popular time for visits, autumn and spring are actually the most active northern lights seasons.
In Northern Lapland, the auroras shine just about every other clear night between September and March, while in southern Finland they’re only visible about 10-20 nights a year. Head north anywhere near and above the Arctic Circle, and if the night sky looks clear and starry, you have a good chance of seeing the northern lights. Stay away from bright lights and buildings: hilltops and lakeshores make good vantage points.
Scotland
Northern Scotland lies at the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway and Nunivak Island in Alaska, which means that you’re in with a good chance of spotting the “Mirrie Dancers”.
In the Hebrides, the lights can be seen on Lewis, Harris and at the most northerly tip of Skye. Farther north, you can also catch the lights in Shetland, Orkney and Caithness. Places such as Applecross, Lochinver and north of Ullapool are great spots on the west and far north-west coast of Scotland to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis. Rannoch Moor, Perthshire and the Cairngorms are all places where the lights have been spotted in central Scotland.
Greenland
The northern lights actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun.
The phenomenon is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April.
If you are travelling during this period, you can see the northern lights from anywhere in the country, while in south Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August
Sweden
The northern lights appear during the beginning of September in and around Kiruna in the far north of Sweden. The sky comes alive as pink, green and purple streaks dance high above. And by the time winter has fully set in around January, the northern lights can be seen throughout Swedish Lapland – the large expanse of land in northern Sweden that covers nearly a quarter of the country. The last glimpses of these undulating rainbows can be caught as late as the end of March or even early April.
• This article was amended on 15 December 2024. An earlier version had an image that was said to show the northern lights in Iceland but was in fact taken in Norway. This has been replaced.
