The first northern lights (Aurora Borealis) typically begin to appear in Finnish Lapland as early as late August when the nights start to darken significantly. This early autumn period coincides with the beautiful ruska season, when Lapland’s landscapes transform into vibrant autumn colours. While the midnight sun dominates summer skies until early August, the gradual return of darker nights creates perfect conditions for aurora viewing from late August onwards. The combination of still-mild temperatures, colourful landscapes, and the magical northern lights makes autumn an exceptional time to experience this natural phenomenon in Finnish Lapland.
When do the northern lights start appearing in Finnish Lapland?
Northern lights typically begin appearing in Finnish Lapland from late August to early September when darkness returns after the bright summer nights. This timing marks a special transition period in Lapland, as the midnight sun gives way to increasingly longer nights, creating the dark skies essential for aurora viewing. By mid-to-late August, the astronomical darkness needed to spot the dancing lights returns to the Arctic night sky.
The early autumn aurora season coincides beautifully with ruska, the spectacular autumn colours period in Lapland. This creates a unique opportunity to experience two of Lapland’s most breathtaking natural phenomena simultaneously. During the day, you can admire the golden, red, and orange hues painting the landscapes, while evenings offer chances to witness the ethereal glow of auroras against an increasingly dark sky.
What makes this early season particularly special is the combination of relatively mild temperatures and the magical atmosphere of Lapland’s autumn. Unlike the deep winter months when temperatures can plummet to extreme lows, early autumn offers comfortable conditions for northern lights viewing, with temperatures typically ranging from 0°C to 10°C in September. This allows for a more comfortable outdoor experience while waiting for the auroras to appear.
The lakes and rivers remain unfrozen during this period, creating stunning reflective surfaces that can double the visual impact of the northern lights. As the auroras dance across the sky, their colours mirror on the calm waters below, creating a mesmerising spectacle that isn’t possible once winter freezes the landscape.
What are the best times to see the first autumn northern lights?
The optimal viewing time for early autumn northern lights is between 9 PM and 1 AM, when the sky becomes sufficiently dark and aurora activity tends to peak. During late August and September, these hours provide the darkest sky conditions while still being accessible for most travellers without staying up until the very early morning hours that are often necessary during winter viewing.
Clear, crisp nights with minimal cloud cover offer the best chances for spotting the aurora. When planning your autumn northern lights adventure, look for forecasts predicting clear skies and check aurora activity predictions through specialized apps and websites. The Finnish Meteorological Institute provides reliable aurora forecasts that can help you determine the likelihood of northern lights activity during your visit.
The autumn season offers a unique advantage in that solar activity – which causes northern lights – doesn’t depend on the season, but your ability to see auroras depends entirely on darkness. As nights grow longer from late August onwards, your viewing window expands accordingly. By September, the darkness lasts long enough to provide excellent viewing opportunities while still allowing you to enjoy daytime activities in comfortable temperatures.
Another factor that works in favour of autumn aurora hunting is the lower likelihood of heavy snowfall that can obscure the sky. While winter months may face frequent snowstorms that can hide the lights for days, autumn typically offers more stable weather patterns with clearer skies, improving your chances of successful aurora spotting.
At Polar Lights Tours, we monitor weather conditions and aurora forecasts continuously during our autumn tours, positioning our guests in optimal locations where clear skies and minimal light pollution create perfect viewing conditions. This expert guidance significantly increases your chances of witnessing the first magical autumn auroras.
How does autumn enhance the northern lights experience in Lapland?
Autumn in Finnish Lapland creates a uniquely magical setting for northern lights viewing, combining the vibrant ruska colours with the celestial light show. This special season offers the only opportunity throughout the year to witness golden-red landscapes during daylight and the ethereal green and purple auroras at night – truly experiencing Lapland’s full colour spectrum in a single day.
The unfrozen lakes and rivers of autumn provide natural mirrors for the northern lights, creating spectacular reflections that double the visual impact. As auroras dance across the dark sky, their shimmering patterns are mirrored on the calm water surfaces below, creating a 360-degree immersive experience that winter’s snow-covered landscape cannot offer. This reflection effect is particularly stunning in locations like Lake Inari or the numerous small wilderness lakes scattered throughout Finnish Lapland.
Autumn’s milder temperatures create a more comfortable viewing experience compared to winter’s extreme cold. With temperatures typically ranging from slightly above freezing to around 10°C in September, aurora watchers can spend longer periods outdoors comfortably observing the lights without the extreme cold weather gear necessary during winter months.
The autumn forests buzzing with wildlife activity add another dimension to the aurora experience. Unlike winter when many animals hibernate or migrate, autumn brings opportunities to spot wildlife while travelling to aurora viewing locations. The forests are alive with activity as animals prepare for winter, adding an element of wilderness immersion to your northern lights adventure.
Perhaps most importantly, autumn offers a less crowded aurora viewing experience. While winter attracts large numbers of tourists to Lapland, the early aurora season remains somewhat of a hidden gem. This means more serene viewing experiences in pristine wilderness locations, without the crowds that gather at popular winter viewing spots.
What activities can be combined with early autumn northern lights tours?
Early autumn in Finnish Lapland offers a wealth of daytime wilderness activities that perfectly complement nighttime aurora hunting. Hiking through forests painted in ruska colours tops the list of popular activities. The vibrant reds, oranges, and golds of birch trees create spectacular settings for guided nature walks, where you can breathe the world’s cleanest air while learning about Lapland’s unique ecosystem from knowledgeable local guides.
Foraging for wild berries and mushrooms offers a delicious way to connect with Lapland’s autumn bounty. September is prime season for blueberries, lingonberries, and cloud berries – superfoods growing abundantly in Lapland’s forests. Our guides can teach you which varieties are edible and how they’ve been used in traditional Lappish cooking for centuries. There’s something deeply satisfying about collecting nature’s harvest before returning to watch for northern lights.
Horseback riding through autumn landscapes offers another perspective on Lapland’s wilderness. Trails wind through colourful forests and across open fells, allowing you to cover more ground than hiking while maintaining a deep connection with nature. The rhythmic pace of horseback travel creates a meditative experience that contrasts beautifully with the excitement of evening aurora watching.
At Polar Lights Tours, we carefully design our autumn packages to combine the most rewarding daytime activities with optimal northern lights viewing opportunities. Our guides seamlessly transition from day adventures to evening aurora hunts, creating comprehensive wilderness experiences that showcase the best of autumn in Lapland.
Key takeaways for planning your autumn northern lights adventure
When planning your autumn northern lights adventure in Finnish Lapland, remember that the aurora viewing season begins as early as late August when nights darken enough to reveal the magical lights. This timing coincides perfectly with the spectacular ruska season, offering the unique opportunity to experience both colourful autumn landscapes and the northern lights in one trip – a combination impossible at any other time of year.
For optimal viewing conditions, plan to be outside during peak hours between 9 PM and
1 AM, and stay for at least 3-4 nights to increase your chances of clear skies. Remember that while the northern lights are a natural phenomenon that cannot be guaranteed, autumn’s typically stable weather patterns offer excellent viewing opportunities with the added advantage of milder temperatures compared to winter.
Our Accommodation Options Levi
Aurora Wilderness Cabin
Our Aurora cabins, nestled in the serene wilderness of Levi, Finnish Lapland, offer a peaceful retreat. Our guide will escort you through the woods to ensure a comfortable arrival. From late May to late July, you can enjoy the Midnight Sun, while from late August to early April, you might witness a sky full of stars or the Northern Lights. The cabins feature large windows, including a roof window, for stunning views. Inside, you’ll find an eco-toilet for convenience. This overnight experience includes a light evening meal and breakfast featuring Finnish specialties.
Cozy Kammi Experience
Spend a night in our round and cozy kammi building, where you can experience the intimacy of the wilderness while sleeping warmly in sleeping bags. Located on our horse and husky farm, the kammi offers an opportunity to meet and learn about our animals in the evening. Enjoy a dinner made with Finnish ingredients inside the kammi, and then relax in a hammock outside, gazing at the night sky and possibly seeing stars or the Northern Lights. In the morning, wake up to find a breakfast basket waiting outside.
Wilderness Caravan Adventure
Stay in a motorhome, caravan, private tent, or hammock. Our farm is located along Muonio Road, about a 10-minute drive from Levi towards Muonio. Enjoy nature, take a dip in the river, or rent a barrel sauna. We have 5 electric caravan pitches, unlimited tent and hammock spots, and offer all necessary services: Kammi atmospheric cooking and an open fire in the chamber, toilets and indoor WC, water point, electrical outlets (5 pcs), and drainage of chemical toilets and grey water. Guided tours to get to know our horses and dogs are included in the price!
Our Accommodation Option in Posio
Lehtiniemi Guesthouse & Caravan
Our newly renovated lodge at Lehtiniemi Guesthouse & Camping, once an old village school, offers a unique and cozy accommodation experience in the serene surroundings of Posio. The perfect getaway for those looking to connect with nature, relax, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Lapland.
Lehtiniemi guesthouse is located in the picturesque nature of Posio, just a short drive from the Posio center and the region’s major attractions, such as Riisitunturi National Park and Korouoma Canyon, and the renowned Pentik Hill Culture Centre. Our lodge offers an excellent base for exploring both Lapland’s natural wonders and local culture.
Lehtiniemi guesthouse offer comfortable 2–6 person apartments, ideal for families, couples, or groups of friends. Fully equipped with a kitchen, cozy living area, comfortable beds, a bathroom with a shower. The interiors are thoughtfully decorated with a warm, local touch to make you feel right at home. For solo travellers, we offer accommodation with access to shared common spaces, and in addition, a separate caravan site is available.
A Complete Autumn Aurora Experience in Lapland
Plan a balanced itinerary that combines northern lights viewing with daytime activities showcasing autumn’s special features. From hiking through colourful forests to foraging for wild berries and mushrooms, or enjoying boat trips on mirror-like lakes – these experiences create a complete wilderness adventure that makes the most of this special season in Lapland.
Book with experienced local guides who understand both aurora forecasting and the unique characteristics of autumn in Lapland. At Polar Lights Tours, we pride ourselves on creating seamless experiences that combine comfortable accommodation, expert guidance, and carefully planned activities that showcase the best of Finnish Lapland during this magical season.
The early autumn northern lights season remains something of a hidden gem, offering all the magic of Lapland with fewer crowds than the peak winter season. This creates a more intimate, authentic experience of both the northern lights and Lapland’s wilderness – truly the perfect time for those seeking to connect deeply with the natural wonders of the Arctic.
