Can you see the Northern Lights in December?
Emma Martin
Updated on June 20, 2026
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Similarly, it is asked, where can you see Northern Lights in December?
- Tromso, Norway. Based in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic, the city is widely regarded as one of the world's best places to see the Northern Lights.
- Swedish Lapland.
- Reykjavik, Iceland.
- Yukon, Canada.
- Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.
- Ilulissat, Greenland.
Subsequently, question is, where is the best place to see the northern lights? The 6 Best Places to See the Northern Lights
- josephgruber/Getty Images. Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.
- victormaschek/ Getty Images. Saariselkä, Finland.
- antonyspencer/Getty Images. Kiruna, Sweden.
- NZSteve/ Getty Images. Yellowknife, Canada.
- SalRedpath/Getty Images. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.
- BENJAMINHARDMAN/Getty Images. Akureyri, Iceland.
Likewise, is December good for Northern Lights?
3. It doesn't have to be cold to see the Northern Lights; it just has to be dark. Keep in mind that December isn't typically the best month because popular Northern Lights destinations like Tromsø, Norway and Kiruna, Sweden have about 70% probability of precipitation each day during the month of December.
What is the best month to see the Northern Lights?
As you'd expect, dark, clear skies contribute to a Northern Lights sighting, so September to mid-April is the best time to plan that trip and make the most of those long dark nights.
Related Question AnswersIs 2020 a good year to see Northern Lights?
During the winter 2019 - 2020, the expectation for Northern Lights viewing is typical for a solar minimum year. But from 2020 onwards, there will be a slow ramp-up in solar activity, and auroras should increase in frequency, peaking in 2024/2025. Read more about where to see the Northern lights here.How long do the Northern Lights last?
The Northern Lights most commonly appear between 5:00 pm and 2:00 am. They don't usually exhibit for long – they may only show for a few minutes, then glide away before returning. A good display may last for no longer than 15-30 minutes at a time, although if you're really lucky, they could last for a few hours.How cold is it in Finland in December?
The average temperature in Lapland in December is -6°C though temperatures do vary during the month; highs reach -3°C but lows can fall to -9°C, especially on evenings. Make sure to wrap up warm when exploring the region. With temperatures constantly below freezing, snow is very common in December.Can you see the northern lights in Oslo?
It's not unheard of to see them as far north as Svalbard or as far south as Oslo – but realistically, the chances of you seeing green skies over the Norwegian capital are very low indeed.What is there to do in Tromso in the winter?
15 Things to Do in Tromso, Norway in the Winter- Chase the northern lights.
- Tour the Arctic Cathedral.
- Taste some delicious seafood from the Arctic.
- Visit one of Tromso's many museums.
- Drink at the northernmost brewery in the world.
- Soak in the views from the Fjellheisen cable car.
- Explore the fjords.
- Dash through the snow on a dog sled.