Can You See the Northern Lights in March?

Yes – March is a fantastic time to see the Northern Lights. The nights are still dark enough for Aurora hunting, the Arctic landscapes remain covered in snow and the increasing daylight gives you more time to enjoy everything the region has to offer.

In fact, if you’re trying to decide when is the best time to see the Northern Lights, March deserves serious consideration.

You get the best of both worlds: genuine Arctic winter conditions during the day and plenty of darkness for searching the skies at night.

Are the Northern Lights visible in March?

Absolutely.

The Northern Lights in March can be seen across the Arctic, including our destinations in Finland, Sweden and Norway.

Although the days become noticeably longer as spring approaches, there are still many hours of darkness – particularly in destinations far above the Arctic Circle.

Of course, the Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon and can never be guaranteed. Solar activity, cloud cover and local weather conditions all play their part, which is why spending several nights in a good Aurora location gives you more opportunities to see a display.

Why is March good for the Northern Lights?

There’s more to March than simply having enough darkness.

The period around the spring equinox has long attracted Aurora watchers because geomagnetic activity can increase around the equinoxes. If you want to get into the detail, we’ve explained the science behind why March is a prime month for Northern Lights viewing.

But the appeal of March isn’t only about what is happening above your head.

It’s also one of those wonderful points in the Arctic calendar when winter is still very much in charge, but the days are becoming longer and brighter.

Is there still snow in Lapland in March?

Very much so.

March remains firmly within the winter season across Lapland. Snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and white Arctic fells still dominate the landscape, so you don’t lose that classic winter experience by travelling later in the season.

The increased daylight simply gives you more time to appreciate it.

If Finland is particularly high on your list, our guide to visiting Finland in March goes into much more detail about what the month is like on the ground.

Longer days mean more Arctic adventures

One of March’s biggest advantages is the balance between daylight and darkness.

During the depths of winter, daylight in the far north can be extremely limited. By March, the days have stretched considerably – giving you much more time for exploring before your Northern Lights hunt begins.

Depending on where you travel, your daytime adventures might include an exhilarating husky safari, heading into the wilderness on a snowmobile, snowshoeing through silent forests or meeting reindeer.

Then, as darkness falls, the focus switches from the snowy landscape to the sky.

What is a Northern Lights holiday in March like?

March can be particularly appealing if you want your holiday to be about more than simply waiting for darkness.

You could spend your morning driving a husky team through the snow, explore frozen lakes and forests during the afternoon and then head away from artificial light after dinner in search of the Aurora.

You can even spend the night watching the sky from one of our glass-roofed igloos and Aurora cabins.

It is still unmistakably winter – just with more daylight in which to enjoy it.

Is March warmer in Lapland?

March can often feel more comfortable than travelling during the darkest part of winter, particularly during daylight hours, but this is still the Arctic.

Cold temperatures remain entirely possible, especially after sunset, so good winter clothing is essential.

The real difference is the returning sun. Longer and brighter days can make daytime activities feel very different from December and January, while the dark evenings still provide the conditions needed for Aurora hunting.

Where should you see the Northern Lights in March?

There isn’t one single “best” destination.

Finland offers vast areas of wilderness, snowy forests and an exceptional choice of Aurora-focused accommodation.

Swedish Lapland combines remote landscapes with excellent dark-sky locations such as Abisko and Luleå.

Northern Norway offers an entirely different backdrop, with mountains, fjords and dramatic Arctic coastlines.

The right choice really depends on how you want to spend the rest of your holiday – whether your priority is intensive Aurora hunting, winter activities, unusual accommodation or a mixture of everything.

Is March the best month to see the Northern Lights?

There isn’t a single month when the Northern Lights are guaranteed.

Different parts of the Aurora season offer different advantages. December and January provide exceptionally long nights, while February brings increasing daylight alongside classic winter conditions.

March, however, occupies a rather lovely sweet spot.

There is still snow. There are still properly dark nights. But there is also enough daylight to make much more of your time in the Arctic.

That’s why March has been one of our favourite times to travel north for many years.

If you’d like another ten reasons, we’ve got those too: 10 reasons why you should go Aurora hunting in March.

See the Northern Lights in March

So, can you see the Northern Lights in March?

Absolutely – and there are plenty of reasons why you might actively choose March over the depths of winter.

Dark nights, snow-covered landscapes, longer days and a full programme of Arctic activities make it a superb time to experience the north.

Take a look at our Northern Lights holidays in spring and discover where March could take you.