Month guide · Good viewing
Can you see the northern lights in October?
Autumn deepens — darker nights, still mild, fewer crowds.
The northern lights in October
October trades some of September's mildness for longer, darker nights — a good balance. Snow begins to arrive in the far north late in the month, displays grow more frequent toward the solstice, and both prices and crowds sit below the Christmas peak.
What about the southern lights?
The southern season is closing as spring advances; early October still holds a chance from the far south. The aurora is the same phenomenon in both hemispheres — see where the aurora reaches for the full north-and-south picture.
Best for
Long dark nights without the deep-winter cold or crowds. For the day-by-day odds anywhere on Earth, use the live forecast; for the bigger seasonal picture, see the best time to see the northern lights.
Plan the trip
Tours, stays and wheels
Some links below are paid affiliate links. If you book a tour, reserve a stay or buy gear through them, we may earn a commission — it never costs you anything extra and helps keep the forecast free.
- Klook
Aurora chasing tours
Guided minibus & boat tours worldwide that drive you to the clearest, darkest skies on the night.
See tonight's tours - Booking.com
Glass igloos & aurora cabins
Heated glass-roof rooms across Lapland, Iceland and the Arctic — watch the lights from bed.
Find stays - Discover Cars
Rent a car to chase clear skies
Self-drive away from town glow to the dark-sky spots. Compare every local supplier in one place.
Compare cars - SafetyWing
Cover the trip
Aurora trips are remote, cold and weather-dependent — travel medical cover from a few dollars a day.
Get covered