Shimmering curtains of green, purple, and red dancing across the night sky… who doesn’t want to sit in awe of the Northern Lights, a spectacle where science meets magic as light ripples across our atmosphere?
We don’t mean to alarm you – but this coming winter might be your last chance to see the Northern Lights at their peak for over a decade. Nature’s light show depends on the sun’s activity – and scientists say the current solar maximum will end in the next year.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights, 2026 is the year to make it happen. Let’s dive into why and where to go to see them.
Why 2026 is the peak year to see the Northern Lights
What causes the Northern Lights?
The aurora borealis is one of nature’s most spectacular light shows, and the colorful show all starts with the sun.
Our sun constantly emits a stream of charged particles known as the solar wind. When these particles reach Earth, most are deflected by our planet’s magnetic field. But near the magnetic poles, some particles slip through and collide with gases, such as oxygen and nitrogen, in the upper atmosphere. These collisions release bursts of light, creating the glowing waves of green, pink, purple and red that we see in the night sky.
Different gases produce different colours. Oxygen glows green (the most common colour) or red at higher altitudes, while nitrogen can create blue or purplish hues. The strength and frequency of the aurora depend on how active the sun is – which is why they’re much more vibrant during periods of solar maximum.
The 11-year solar cycle and solar maximum
The sun follows an 11-year cycle of rising and falling activity, known as the solar cycle. At its peak – the solar maximum – the sun releases more solar flares and charged particles, which collide with Earth’s atmosphere to create stronger, more frequent Northern Lights activity.
We’re currently in Solar Cycle 25, and scientists predict it will peak between 2024 and 2026, possibly the most intense in decades. After that, solar activity will decline, and aurora displays will become weaker and less frequent. So if it’s on your travel bucket list, 2026 is your best chance to see the Northern Lights (unless you want to wait until the mid-2030s!).
What months are best to see the Northern Lights?
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Europe is from September to March, when the nights are long and dark enough for aurora viewing. This period offers the highest chance of clear skies and strong geomagnetic activity.
While winter months like December to February bring the darkest skies, September and March are also ideal due to the equinox effect, when auroras tend to be more active.
Where to see the Northern Lights with Trafalgar in 2026
Here’s where to go for front-row seats to nature’s light show in 2026.
Iceland
Few places in the world offer a better backdrop for the aurora than Iceland. The island nation’s surreal landscapes, from black sand beaches to icy, reflective glaciers, are magic beneath swirling green skies. Here you can experience long, dark nights from September to March, with an excellent chance of seeing the Northern Lights – even from the capital – on a clear night.
Travel with Trafalgar: Our Iceland Highlights tour is a six-day tour of waterfalls, lava fields, the famous Blue Lagoon – and prime Northern Lights viewing zones in the cooler months.
READ NEXT: What to pack for a Northern Lights tour to Iceland.
Sweden & Finland
The key to seeing the Northern Lights is to get high up in the Arctic Circle. You can do just that in Sweden and Finland, where you’ll find some of the clearest skies and coziest winter experiences. Between November and March, visit Swedish Lapland’s charming towns, then cross over to Finnish Lapland’s snowy forests and glass igloos.
Travel with Trafalgar: The Scandinavian Northern Lights tour takes you on a seamless 9-day journey through both countries, with expert local guides leading aurora hunts, plus winter activities like snowmobiling, dog sledding, and visiting the famous Icehotel.
Alaska
Alaska’s vast wilderness is a magical stage for the Northern Lights. From September to April, the skies above Fairbanks and Denali National Park light up with dazzling auroras that dance over snow-covered mountains and frozen rivers. This US state is remote, wild, and utterly breathtaking. The lights truly steal the show.
Travel with Trafalgar: On the Alaska Northern Lights tour, spend 7 days exploring the snowy landscapes. You’ll even learn how to capture the perfect aurora photo with a hands-on workshop with a professional photographer.
Norway
While Iceland, Lapland (Sweden & Finland), and Alaska are our top three spots to see the Northern Lights in 2026, Norway is also a great option. In essence, the further north you go the better your chances of viewing the aurora. Between October and March, the sky often comes alive with light. Plus Norway’s snow-covered fjords and mountains only add to the drama.
Travel with Trafalgar: Join our Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords tour, where you’ll explore Norway’s incredible landscapes.
Scotland
When the aurora is at its solar maximum you can see the lights in Scotland! Known here as the “Mirrie Dancers,” the Northern Lights sometimes makes dramatic appearances in Cairngorms or on the Shetland Islands. Catching them here is rarer than further north, but all the more magical when they show.
Travel with Trafalgar: Our Scotland’s Highlands, Islands and Cities tour takes you north. See more rugged landscapes and remote skies where you’ll have the best chance of seeing the more elusive Scottish aurora.
READ NEXT: Here are the 10 best places to see the northern lights
After 2026, you may have to wait over a decade to see the Northern Lights at this intensity again. Take the plunge and lock in a trip for this coming winter.