When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Churchill?

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Churchill is from January to March and September to November.

Where can I see the Northern Lights in Churchill?

You can see the Northern Lights in various spots in Churchill, including the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Prince of Wales Fort, and during guided tours.

Do I need a tour to see the Northern Lights in Churchill?

While not necessary, guided tours can enhance your experience by providing expert knowledge and transportation to prime viewing spots.

What should I wear to see the Northern Lights in Churchill?

Dress warmly with layers, including a heavy coat, thermal underwear, hats, gloves, and insulated boots to stay comfortable in the cold.

Where, When and How to See Northern Lights in Churchill, Manitoba

Quick Facts About the Northern Lights

#	Fact
1	They happen when protons and electrons from the solar surface slam into the earth's magnetic field.
2	Churchill, Manitoba is one of the top three places in the world to view them.
3	Their colour is determined by the gas involved. Oxygen = green & red. Nitrogen = blue & purple.
4	Green is the most common colour while blue is the rarest.
5	Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune also experience the phenomenon.
6	With long exposure settings, a camera often captures better images of the lights than the human eye.
7	Some Inuit believe the lights are the spirits of the animals they have hunted.
8	Drawings of the lights have been found in caves in France dating back 30,000 years.
9	The lights take place anywhere from 100–650km above the earth's surface.
10	Though almost impossible to hear, the lights make sounds like snaps, cracks and static.

What are the northern lights?

The aurora borealis has fascinated people for generations. Across Inuit oral tradition, the lights are said to be the spirits of ancestors playing a game of ball with a walrus skull, a beautiful reflection of the connection between land, sky and spirit.

Science offers another explanation: when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s magnetic field, they energize atoms in the upper atmosphere, creating light. These glowing reactions form the aurora, most visible within the auroral oval — a high-latitude zone that runs directly over Churchill, Manitoba.

When can you see the northern lights?

Churchill experiences over 300 nights of aurora activity each year, making it one of the world’s most reliable viewing locations.

While the lights can appear in any season, the best time to see them is between February and March, when long, clear nights create perfect conditions. To catch the aurora, a few things must align:

Increased solar or geomagnetic activity
Clear skies with minimal cloud cover
Location within the auroral oval (Churchill qualifies with a KP index as low as 1)
Little or no moonlight or artificial light

Why Churchill is one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights

Churchill’s subarctic location beneath the auroral oval means the northern lights are often visible even during moderate geomagnetic activity. Combined with minimal light pollution, expansive horizons, and expert local operators, Churchill is considered Canada’s northern lights capital.

How to See the Northern Lights in Churchill

One of the best ways to view the northern lights in Churchill is to book a tour package with a local operator. Packages typically cover everything from accommodation to activities to flights, but be sure to check the fine details of each option to be sure of inclusions.

At the Churchill Northern Studies Centre

An operational research station just 30 minutes from town, the Churchill Northern Studies Centre offers educational and guided viewing experiences. When the lights appear, all building lights are switched off to eliminate light pollution. Visitors can view from a heated dome, an outdoor deck or at ground level — ideal for photographers seeking foreground subjects in their shots.

With Lazy Bear Expeditions

This year marks one of the most active solar periods in two decades — and Lazy Bear Expeditions is ready to make the most of it. Two standout experiences include:

Ultimate Northern Lights Photo Adventure: Capture the aurora over the Hudson Bay from curated photo sites in and around Churchill.
Ultimate Northern Lights Solar Science Adventure: Join solar scientists Dr. Mark Miesch and Dr. Sarah Gibson for expert insight into solar activity and aurora formation.

By Tundra Buggy® with Frontiers North Adventures

Frontiers North Adventures offers Northern Lights and Winter Nights and Photo Adventure packages that begins in Winnipeg. Guests travel north to Churchill for cozy nights in the Thanadelthur Lounge, located across the frozen Churchill River — far from any town lights. The itinerary includes snowshoeing excursions, local museum visits, and a dinner at Dan’s Diner, a pop-up Tundra Buggy® dining hall under the night sky, featuring local fare by Chef Jared Fossen.

From the Aurora Pod® and Aurora Dome with Natural Habitat Adventures

Natural Habitat Adventures gives travellers exclusive access to the Aurora Pod®, a 360-degree glass-walled viewing space with cushioned seating and panoramic skies. Guests also visit the Aurora Domes, two plexiglass-topped structures where you can relax indoors or go outside for photos. Each tour includes a guided snowcoach ride to a secluded cabin, a peaceful setting for an unforgettable night under the lights.

From a yurt with Nanuk Operations

For a rustic yet comfortable experience, Nanuk Operations’ Nights Under Lights tour includes multi-day stays in a forest yurt. Enjoy the aurora from a wrap-around deck or warm up indoors by the fire with a nightcap in hand. Packages include dogsledding, snowshoeing and cultural talks with an Indigenous storyteller, offering a full taste of life in the sub-arctic.

Through a camera lens with Discover Churchill

Join photographer and guide Alex de Vries for a small-group photo adventure. Discover Churchill offers four- and seven-day guided tours to prime viewing spots, including a tipi in the boreal forest, perfect for capturing the lights framed by trees and snow.

For the independent or budget traveller

Want to go see the northern lights on a budget? The best way to is to plan a do-it-yourself (DIY) trip.

How to get there

Flights: A flight with Calm Air from Winnipeg to Churchill takes approximately 2 hours.

Train: Via Rail offers train service from Winnipeg to Churchill, leaving every Sunday and Tuesday from the VIA Rail Station in Winnipeg and arriving in Churchill 48 hours later. From Churchill, the train departs every Thursday and Saturday. Multiple cabin levels are available.

Another option is to drive to Thompson (about 8 hours north of Winnipeg) and take the twice weekly train to Churchill from there, about 16 hour rail journey.

Where to eat during aurora season in Churchill

Book a ticket at Dan's Diner, or dine at local options like:

Where to stay

Do-It-Yourself and Budget Friendly Options

Discover Churchill: Sign up for nightly call alerts when the aurora appears — perfect for spontaneous viewing.
Nanuk Operations: Offers single-night excursions to their yurt and call lists for last-minute viewing.
Beyond Boreal Expeditions: A female-owned Indigenous tour company led by Tiffany Spence, offering photography-focused night excursions.
Dene Routes: Offers year-round cultural experiences, including A Taste of Sayisi Dene History and the Caribou Hair Tufting Experience.

What to pack for Churchill

Churchill winters are cold and temperatures can drop to –30°C, with the windchill making it feel even colder.

Recommended clothing and gear:

Insulated winter parka with hood
Thermal base layers
Ski pants
Wool socks and sweaters
Toque (winter hat), mitts, scarf or balaclava
Winter boots
Lip balm and moisturizer
Hand warmers
Bring extra camera batteries (the cold drains them fast!)
Sunglasses and a reusable water bottle

Tip: Dress in layers to stay warm and comfortable, and always cover exposed skin. The air is crisp and dry but breathtakingly beautiful under the aurora.

Plan Your Aurora Adventure

When your heart needs wonder, Canada’s Heart is Calling.

Churchill’s northern lights are more than a sight, they’re an experience that stays with you long after the last ribbon of light fades from the sky. Start planning your trip to Churchill today and see the northern lights for yourself.