Aurora activity is expected to reach its highest level in over a decade and these spots offer a front-row seat
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The curtains of light that dance across Canada’s northern skies are about to put on their most spectacular show in over a decade. As the sun reaches the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, auroras (or solar storms) become more frequent and intense.
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Last year saw a big uptick of aurora activity and this surge is expected to continue well into 2025. The northern lights are primed to scatter the skies across Canada with cosmic confetti, offering even more opportunities to witness the dazzling display for yourself — if you’re in the right place, at the right time.
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights or aurora borealis (aurora is the scientific Latin name, and borealis refers to the northern hemisphere) are caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth’s atmosphere. When this happens, a natural light display occurs, which is visible towards the northern horizon.
When is the best time to see the northern lights?
This winter through 2026, aurora activity is expected to be at its highest in more than a decade. While the northern lights appear year-round, winter brings longer nights and clearer atmospheric conditions, maximizing your chances of witnessing this celestial spectacle. Just be prepared to sacrifice some sleep, as the real showtime typically begins around midnight.
How to see the northern lights
Here are the best spots for viewing thenorthern lights in Canada this year.
Churchill, Manitoba
Northern Alberta
Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario
Narrow Lake, Saskatchewan
Northern New Brunswick
Muncho Lake Provincial Park , British Columbia
Eastern Townships, Quebec
Yukon Territory
Manitoulin Island, Ontario
Aurora watching in cities
Because of light pollution, viewing the northern lights in metropolitan areas is typically rare. But if there was ever a year to catch the aurora borealis in Vancouver or the northern lights in Calgary this would be it. It’s best to monitor aurora forecast apps and the Kp index, which refers to the geomagnetic activity that makes the skies light up. For the northern lights to be visible near a city, you’re looking for Kp 5 or higher.