The Aurora Australis has put on a spectacular show in 2025, treating Aussies to some of the most vivid and widespread displays in years. While our Southern Lights are dazzling, they don’t quite rival the Northern Lights – which are set to offer the best viewing opportunity in a decade in 2026.
The Aurora Borealis – essentially the same natural phenomenon as the Aurora Australis, just from the opposite side of the planet – is the definition of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This year, sky-gazers hoping to catch a glimpse of those glowing waves dancing across the night sky have had plenty of luck. While spotting the lights used to mean trekking all the way to the edge of the Arctic Circle (think Norway, Sweden and Finland), increased solar activity has led to sightings in London, France, Belgium and even parts of America.
If you thought 2025 was an exciting year for Aurora spotting, just wait for next year. Earth is heading into a ‘solar maximum’ – the peak of the sun’s 11-year activity cycle – which basically means the sun is about to get super active. When charged particles from the sun hit the Earth’s atmosphere, they light up the sky in colour, making the Northern Lights brighter and easier to see.
This prime Aurora-watching period will last until March 2026, making the upcoming months your best chance to witness the Aurora until 2037. So, where should you go? The Nordic countries, like Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Finland, see the lights on around 200 nights a year. Meanwhile, Canada’s Northwest Territories, like Yukon and Nunavut, see roughly 240 nights of activity. You can check out AuroraReach for real-time visibility scores in cities across the world.