AuroraCast / Best month / Þingvellir

Best month to see the northern lights in Þingvellir

Planning a trip to Þingvellir, Iceland for the aurora? Here's the month-by-month guide. The best months are September, October, February, March. Looking for tonight's odds instead? →

Month-by-month viewing quality

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
MonthViewingWhy
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 Þingvellir: 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 September and October and February and March tend to edge out the dead of winter. Þingvellir's season runs september to mid-april.

Þingvellir is the rift-valley national park about 45 minutes from Reykjavík, where the Atlantic plates pull apart. It is the standard escape from the capital's light dome and the reason most Reykjavík aurora tours drive east.

Where to stand in Þingvellir

The lake shore at Þingvallavatn and the pull-outs along the rift give dark water and an open northern sky. Winter roads here can ice over — check conditions before driving out at night.

Tours & stays to book

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Northern lights tours from Þingvellir

Viator · guided tours · from $60

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Aurora chases & photo tours in Þingvellir

GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $60

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Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Þingvellir

Booking.com · lodging

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Know when Þingvellir is about to light up

Aurora odds swing night to night. Leave your email and we'll tell you when Þingvellir hits its best window — time to book a tour for your dates.

This guide is built from each month’s dark-hours and the long-run seasonal pattern of aurora activity — it tells you when the odds are best, not what any single night will do. Aurora viewing is never guaranteed. Our method & sources.