Experiences not to be missed on your Northern Lights holiday

What's hot for the 2025-26 Northern Lights season: Surfing under the Northern Lights, snorkelling or perhaps proposing under the Northern Lights.

From autumn until spring, Northern Lapland enjoys spectacular displays of aurora borealis. Thousands of people from across the globe visit the region each year for a chance to see the magical Northern Lights. We suggest doing it a little differently – with help from us. We'll get you off the beaten path, staying in cosy cabins or unique hotels, and enjoying adventures without the crowds. Nearly all of our Northern Lights packages include dogsledding, reindeer sledding, and snowmobiling – what sets us apart is our focus on intimate experiences with locals who are passionate about sharing the best of their home country.

Here are our top five suggestions for ways to see the Northern Lights a little differently in 2025-26.

1. Sami Cultural Experiences

The Northern Lights hold deep significance for the Sami people of Arctic Europe, who have lived and worked across what is now Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Russian Kola Peninsula for generations. The lights feature prominently in their mythology and legends - and you can hear these stories first-hand when visiting the region.

Reindeer herding and Sami culture have long coexisted on this land, and only recently have Sami communities begun to invite guests to share in their traditions during evening Northern Lights reindeer experiences. Feed the reindeer under the stars, enjoy a traditional Sami dinner with local herders, and learn about their cultural beliefs.

After dinner, you’ll be welcomed into a lavvu (Sami tent) to gather around the fire for storytelling and perhaps even a joik (traditional Sami song) performed by your host.

2. Hot tub, saunas and bubbles

If you’d prefer something a little lighter and more indulgent, why not combine your Northern Lights experience with some serious relaxation? Many of our cabins and lodges feature outdoor hot tubs and saunas – with plenty of fresh snow on hand for cooling down afterwards.

Some hot tubs are rustic and simple, others luxurious and glamorous. Whether on the edge of a fjord or tucked away in a boutique lodge, these experiences often offer the chance to book private use – perfect for a romantic evening under the aurora.

Stay in the glass igloos at Levi and book a hot tub by the hour, or head to Lyngen Lodge for a steamy soak in the open air – Northern Lights overhead if you’re lucky!

3. Unique Glamping & Glass Igloos

Don’t follow the crowds when it comes to where you stay in the Aurora Zone. Over the past few years, there’s been a boom in accommodation designed specifically for aurora viewing – from glass igloos to domes and cabins with panoramic roofs. New options are opening all the time, and we know what’s coming next – just ask!

Review our full collection of Glass Igloos & Domes holidays to find the right fit for your adventure.

4. Thrill Seekers: Why not surf, ski or snorkel under the Northern Lights

Yes – Mick Fanning really did surf beneath the Northern Lights in Norway’s Lofoten Islands, and the photo went global. So why not take it a step further? Try skiing or snorkelling under the aurora as well.

Many of our winter tours are based near ski areas. While the slopes may not be long, they’re loads of fun – and Finland and Sweden offer excellent snow parks that are perfect for families and freestyle lovers alike.

In Iceland, you can snorkel by day and chase the lights by night. At Silfra, you’ll float between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in crystal-clear water. It’s a surreal and colourful underwater world – and afterwards, you can join a Northern Lights boat tour to cap off the day.

Try our custom-made 9-day Active Iceland itinerary, which includes snorkelling at Silfra.

5. Proposing under the Northern Lights – or something equally romantic...

This image says it all. In March, photographer Dale Sharpe proposed to his partner (also a photographer), Karlie Russell, beneath the Northern Lights – and the pictures are unforgettable. Read more about their romantic adventure here.

Other romantic ideas? Book a window seat at a scenic restaurant like the one at Abisko Sky Station for a cosy meal with a view. Or ride the Loen Skylift in Fjord Norway – a dramatic, elevated setting for popping the question. It’s not as far north as the Arctic Circle, but it’s much easier to reach from Bergen – just remember to look north!

Image credit: Aurora Village, Lyngen Lodge, Sorrisniva The Global Wizards Sami Reindeer Experience