The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs in areas located near the Earth’s poles, where the sun remains visible at the local midnight during the summer months. To see the midnight sun, you’ll need to be in an area located above the Arctic or Antarctic Circle, which are the latitudes at which the midnight sun can be observed.
See our Arctic Weather page to find weather and forecast information.
Here are a few tips on how to see the midnight sun:
- Go to a location north of the Arctic Circle: The best places to see the midnight sun are in areas located near the Arctic Circle, such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada, and Alaska.
- Plan your trip for the summer months: The midnight sun can only be seen during the summer months, typically from May to August, depending on the location.
- Choose a clear day: To see the midnight sun, you’ll need clear skies. Plan your trip for a time when the forecast is for clear weather.
- Head to high latitude: The further north you go, the more likely you are to see the midnight sun, since the Arctic Circle is not a fixed location but varies with the Earth’s tilt with respect to the sun
- Take safety precaution: Remember that at high latitudes, the sun never sets, so be prepared for the bright sunlight and take necessary precautions to protect your eyes and skin.
- Be flexible: The exact time that the sun will set and rise can vary depending on the location and the time of year, so be prepared to be flexible and enjoy the experience whenever the sun is visible.
Finally, guided tours that head to high latitude destinations, specially arctic or antarctic cruises, can be an option to easily see the midnight sun.
