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

Posted: October 30, 2025 | Author: Allison Dalke

Few experiences stir the heart quite like watching the northern lights dance across the subarctic sky. As ribbons of green and violet shimmer overhead, time seems to pause. Many visitors describe it as humbling and awe-inspiring — a moment where you feel both small in the vastness of the universe and deeply connected to it. That’s the magic of the aurora borealis.


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:

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.

Credit: Alex de Vries

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.

For getting around town: Churchill Auto Rentals

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

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.

About The Author

Hey! I'm Allison, outdoor adventurer and book lover. When I'm not writing, you'll find me hiking, skating or skiing Manitoba's trails. Have a story idea? Contact me!

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