Discover the Best Times and Places in Canada to See Northern Lights

Who wouldn’t want a glimpse of the ethereal northern lights? Explanations for their eerie grandeur abound, though no one can quite agree on their mysterious meaning. Are they the souls of the departed showing up in the night sky? Are they spirits playing around with a walrus head? Or are they the light reflecting off the armor of the Valkyries? Whatever you believe, Canada is indisputably one of the best places in the world to catch this infamously elusive display. Read on to discover the best times and places to see the northern lights in Canada!

What Are the Northern Lights?

The northern lights occur when a solar wind brings the sun’s electrically charged particles into violent contact with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere. This collision results in a dancing array of colors like green, purple, pink, yellow, and red. The phenomenon is also known as the aurora borealis, a name that derives from the Roman goddess of dawn (Aurora) and the Greek god of the north wind (Boreas).

The best place to see the northern lights in Canada is in the auroral oval around the North Pole. Although the northern lights are only visible in the Northern Hemisphere, a similar display (the aurora australis/the southern lights) occurs at the south pole. Below are the best places and times to see the northern lights in Canada. (The aurora borealis technically occurs all year long across most of Canada. However, viewing it outside peak times and locations is difficult.)

1. Churchill, Manitoba – November to March

The town of Churchill in the province of Manitoba is arguably the best place to see the northern lights in Canada. The aurora borealis is most visible from November to March (especially February) when the nights are long, temperatures are cold, and the skies tend to be clear. Peak viewing hours are from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Keep in mind that the region is also famous for being one of the best places in Canada to see polar bears and beluga whales, so be on the lookout for these great white wonders.

Unfortunately, if you’re planning to take in the night sky in Churchill, you’ll likely take a big hit to your pocketbook. There are no roads to this remote town, so you’ll have to go by plane or train. Besides this, the prices for a full-fledged experience are steep. However, you can also choose to look for the aurora on your own instead of paying a tour guide.

2. Whitehorse, Yukon – December to March

Whitehorse, the capital city of the Yukon, is one of the best places to see the northern lights in Canada. This relatively remote city in the country’s chilly northwestern corner has fairly low levels of precipitation, which means the skies are frequently clear for viewing. Peak viewing times are from December to March from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Your best chance to catch a glimpse of the aurora is to go outside the city as far away from light pollution as possible.

The good news is that a trip to Whitehorse is typically a lot cheaper than a trip to Churchill. In reality, the chances of seeing the aurora are about the same in both locations. In addition to seeing the northern lights, visitors to Whitehorse can take part in other winter activities like snowshoeing, dogsledding, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

3. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – December to April

Yellowknife is another one of those remote northern locations that’s great for seeing the northern lights in Canada. Located in the Northwest Territories, the city boasts almost nightly displays of the aurora borealis. However, your best chance to view it is to get away from all sources of light pollution between the hours of 10:00 PM and 2:00 PM. The best months for viewing this spectacular light show are December to April, though it occurs all year long. A trip to Yellowknife is relatively affordable considering its northerly location.

4. Banff and Jasper, Alberta – December to April

The picturesque towns of Banff and Jasper in the province of Alberta boast some of the best opportunities for seeing the northern lights in Canada. The best months for viewing the aurora are December to April, but February tends to offer the most vibrant displays. Peak viewing hours are between 11:00 PM and 1:00 PM. Because Alberta is in the southern half of Canada, it’s more accessible than most other options. Banff and Jasper National Parks are both great locations for setting up a viewing.

5. Iqaluit, Nunavut – November to March

Iqaluit is probably the remotest location on this list, but it’s also one of the best places for viewing the northern lights in Canada. This small town in the sprawling northeastern territory of Nunavut has low levels of pollution and short days, making it ripe for vibrant displays. The best time to see the aurora borealis here is between November and March from 10:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

6. Thunder Bay, Ontario – September to February

Thunder Bay is one of the best places in the province of Ontario to see the northern lights. This mid-sized city sits on the shores of Lake Superior in the northern region of the province. Peak viewing times are from September to February from 11:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Be sure to drive well outside the city for the clearest views.

7. Edmonton, Alberta – October to April

The city of Edmonton near the center of Alberta is a great place for seeing the northern lights of Canada. This major hub is home to the University of Alberta’s observatory where visitors can catch a closer glimpse of the sky for free. Additionally, a relatively short drive outside the city will reduce light pollution and open up Alberta’s vast skies. The best months for seeing the aurora in Edmonton are between October and April from 10:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

8. Torngat Mountains National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador – September to October and March to April

One of the lesser-known places for seeing the northern lights in Canada is the Torngat Mountains National Park on the Labrador Penisula. Situated between northern Quebec and the Labrador Sea, this remote location is the traditional home of the Inuit. The best months to view the aurora here are September to October and March to April. Peak viewing times are 10:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

9. Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories – September to April

Even if you’re Canadian, you may never have heard of Tuktoyaktuk. However, this tiny town in the Inuvik Region of the Northwest Territories is a fantastic spot for viewing the northern lights. The prime months for catching a glimpse of the aurora are September through April while the best viewing times are 10:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The town is incredibly remote, but the new Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway gives visitors to option to drive. (Fun fact: this is currently the furthest north anyone can drive in Canada.)

10. Kuujjuaq, Quebec – October to March

The town of Kuujjuaq in the province of Quebec is one of the remotest and least familiar locations on this list, but it’s well worth the trip to see the northern lights. Located on Ungava Bay in Quebec’s Nunavik Region, it offers its best displays from October to March during the hours of 10:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Summary Table of the Best Times and Places to See the Northern Lights in Canada

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