Northern Lights in Lapland
Finnish Lapland is one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights. The aurora season runs from September to March, with the best viewing from December to February. Both Levi and Ylläs have very little light pollution and wide-open skies. Watch from your cabin's hot tub, or join a guided snowmobile or reindeer safari for the ultimate aurora hunt. In Finnish, northern lights are called revontulet, meaning 'fox's fires'. The name comes from a legend that a magic fox made the aurora by brushing its tail against the snow.
Solar Wind
Revontulet — the legend behind the lights
The Fox's Fires
In Finnish mythology, a magical fox — the tulikettu, or firefox — runs across the arctic fells, brushing its tail against the snow and sending sparks flying into the night sky. These sparks become the northern lights. The Finnish word for aurora, "revontulet", literally means "fox's fires". At Kettura, named for "kettu" (fox), you're staying in the very landscape where this ancient legend was born.
How to see the northern lights
Aurora Viewing Tips
- •Best viewing months: September to March
- •Best time: 10pm to 2am (but can appear any time after dark)
- •Get away from village lights — even 200m helps
- •Let your eyes adjust to darkness for 15–20 minutes
- •Look north first, but in strong displays aurora fills the whole sky
- •Your cabin's hot tub or terrace is perfect — no need to go far
- •Phone cameras in night mode capture aurora well
- •The Finnish word for northern lights is "revontulet" — fox's fires
Viewing Guide
Monthly Aurora Calendar
| Month | Dark Hours | Aurora Season? | Typical Kp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep | 8–10h | ✓ | 2–4 | Autumn equinox boosts activity |
| Oct | 12–14h | ✓ | 2–5 | Reliable dark skies |
| Nov | 18–20h | ✓ | 2–5 | Very long dark nights |
| Dec | 22–24h | ✓ | 2–4 | Polar night — max darkness |
| Jan | 20–22h | ✓ | 2–4 | Coldest, clearest skies |
| Feb | 14–16h | ✓ | 2–5 | Returning light, still dark enough |
| Mar | 10–12h | ✓ | 2–5 | Spring equinox boosts activity |
| Apr | 6–8h | ✗ | 2–3 | Too light most nights |
| May | 0–2h | ✗ | — | Midnight sun — no darkness |
| Jun | 0h | ✗ | — | Midnight sun |
| Jul | 0–2h | ✗ | — | Midnight sun |
| Aug | 2–4h | ✗ | — | Season not yet started |
Good to know
Practical Tips
Duration
Half day to full day
Our cabins nearby
