Polar night, northern lights, midnight sun and everything in between. We guide you through the year in the Tromsø region – month by month.
Tromsø does not have four seasons – we actually have six. Polar night, spring, midnight sun, autumn, northern lights season and everything that happens in the transitions. That is precisely why our region is one of the few places in the world where "what shall I get up to" has a new answer every month.
Here is a month-by-month guide to what you should prioritise – whether that is a mountain summit trip, a local event or simply an evening out in the dark looking for green light in the sky.
January – Polar Night and Northern Lights
The sun does not peek above the horizon until towards the end of the month, but the darkness has a charm of its own. This is one of the best periods for seeing the northern lights, as the nights are long and dark. Dress warmly, head a little way out of the city lights and have patience.
Don't miss: Tromsø International Film Festival takes place in the middle of January and fills the city with screenings at a time when it is dark outside for most of the day anyway.
February – Sámi Week and Reindeer
The first half of February is Sámi Week, which celebrates Sámi culture, livelihoods and sport in connection with Sámi National Day on 6 February. Snow is still lying reliably and conditions are good for dog sledding and reindeer safaris.
Don't miss: Nordlysfestivalen is typically held around the end of January and the start of February, with ten days filled with classical music, jazz and other concerts across the city.
March – The Light Returns
The days grow noticeably longer with each passing week, and snow conditions in the mountains are often at their very best. This is peak season for avalanche-safe backcountry skiing for the experienced, and for cross-country skiing on lit and recreational trails for the rest of us.
Don't miss: Snowmobile tours and fjord cruises work well at this time – the ice is releasing its grip, and you can still see the northern lights on clear evenings, though the window gets shorter as the light takes over.
April – Spring Skiing and Longer Days
Daylight stretches past 16 hours during April, opening up the possibility of ski tours late in the afternoon in brilliant spring sunshine. This is typically the period local ski touring enthusiasts call "the best month of the year" – still plenty of snow, but milder temperatures and calmer weather.
Don't miss: An evening tour to a nearby mountain with corn snow on the descent – classic spring skiing conditions.
May – From Winter to Light Nights
In the middle of May the midnight sun begins to make itself felt, and snow starts to retreat from lower-lying terrain. The first hiking trails that have been inaccessible throughout the winter open up again.
Don't miss: The first evening hikes without a head torch – and one of the last chances for good skiing high in the mountains combined with bare ground down in the valley.
June – The Midnight Sun Takes Over
From around 20 May until the end of July the sun does not set at all. Nights become golden daylight, and your daily rhythm becomes more of a suggestion than a rule. This is the season for evening hikes, paddling at midnight and long, lazy evenings outdoors.
Don't miss: Midnight Sun Marathon is held in June and draws thousands of participants from around the world who run through the night in broad daylight.
July – Peak Season for Fjord and Mountain
The warmest month of the year, with temperatures that typically range between 8 and 20 degrees. The fjords are open for kayaking, beaches fill up and hiking trails are at their most accessible.
Don't miss: A summer midnight swim at one of the beaches in the region, such as Telegrafbukta, Grøtfjord or Sommarøy – ideally with a sitting mat and a packed lunch, just as the locals do it.
August – Last of the Light, First of the Dark
The midnight sun disappears early in August, but twilight nights provide fantastic light for photography walks. Towards the end of the month the northern lights season begins to open up again very slightly, although organised northern lights activities do not normally start until September.
Don't miss: Mushroom and berry picking in the forest – blueberries and lingonberries are often at their best right now, and you can avoid both the midges and the crowds of tourists.
September – The Northern Lights Season Opens
This is the month many have been waiting for: the northern lights season is officially under way, and organised northern lights activities come into full swing. At the same time, autumn colours are beginning to take over the mountainsides, so day trips offer a play of reds, oranges and yellows.
Don't miss: An afternoon hike in the mountains to see the autumn colours, followed by an evening outdoors to see whether the sky is willing to put on a show.
October – Autumn Colours and Quiet Trails
The tourist season quietens down, and you will often have the hiking trails to yourself. Temperatures gradually drop but often remain surprisingly mild well into October. This is a pleasant month for relaxed day hikes before the snow settles in earnest.
Don't miss: One of the nearby summit hikes without snow in your pack – plenty of time to enjoy the view before the polar night sets in.
November – Darkness Falls, the Whales Arrive
Polar night is approaching, and this is also the start of whale safari season in the fjords around Tromsø, when orcas and humpback whales hunt herring in the area. Combine a boat trip with a chance of seeing the northern lights the same evening.
Don't miss: A whale safari or fjord tour – November to February is considered the best period for seeing whales in the region.
December – Polar Night and Winter Cosiness
The sun disappears entirely below the horizon for part of December (polar night), but a blue twilight glow for a few hours around midday creates a quite unique atmosphere. Snow lies thick on the ground, and this is a perfect time for dog sledding, skiing on lit trails and a festive atmosphere in the city.
Don't miss: An evening of dog sledding or a reindeer safari combined with northern lights hunting – December has some of the darkest nights of the year and therefore some of the best conditions for the northern lights, provided the clouds stay away.
