Month-by-month viewing quality
| Month | Viewing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| February | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| March | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| April | Good | Plenty of darkness; solid odds |
| May | Marginal | Short nights at the season edge |
| June | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| July | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| August | Good | Plenty of darkness; solid odds |
| September | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| October | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| November | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| December | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
Why these months?
Two things decide your odds in Gällivare: darkness and activity. You need real darkness — so the bright midnight-sun months are out no matter how strong the aurora is. On top of that, geomagnetic storms run statistically stronger around the spring and autumn equinoxes (the Russell–McPherron effect), which is why October and November and February and March tend to edge out the dead of winter. Gällivare's season runs october to march.
Gällivare is a mining town in Swedish Lapland with the Dundret nature reserve rising straight above it — a rare case where you can gain a few hundred metres of altitude and escape the town lights in one short trip.
Where to stand in Gällivare
Dundret, above town, gives a dark 360° horizon. Otherwise the roads toward the surrounding lakes clear the light quickly.
Tours & stays to book
Northern lights tours from Gällivare
Viator · guided tours · from $75
Aurora chases & photo tours in Gällivare
GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $75
Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Gällivare
Booking.com · lodging
Know when Gällivare is about to light up
Aurora odds swing night to night. Leave your email and we'll tell you when Gällivare hits its best window — time to book a tour for your dates.