Midnight sun in Tromsø: the dates
Tromsø lies at 69° north, far above the Arctic Circle. In early summer the sun does not set, and in midwinter it does not rise above the horizon for weeks. The dates below come from the Norwegian weather service Yr (MET Norway) and are its published table for Tromsø. They are not a new calculation for a specific viewpoint.
Two definitions matter, because guides often mix them. The upper edge of the sun can be visible at night from May 18 to July 25. The whole sun disc is visible at night from May 20 to July 22. If you want a sun that clearly stays up at midnight, use the second range.
Sun dates at a glance
Dates from the Yr table for Tromsø. The next polar night starts in 2026 and ends in 2027.
| Event | Date | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight sun begins (upper edge) | May 18 | The top of the sun is visible at night |
| Whole sun disc visible at night | May 20 to July 22 | The full disc is above the horizon at midnight |
| Midnight sun ends (upper edge) | July 25 | Last night with the top of the sun visible |
| Polar night begins | November 27, 2026 | The sun stays below the horizon |
| Sun returns | January 15, 2027 | Astronomical return of the sun |
These are dates from a table, not minute-by-minute sunrise times. A given spot may see the sun later or earlier than the table, because mountains and buildings can hide it.
Summer and midnight sun trips from Tromsø
Boat trips, fjord tours and day trips in the light nights, with live prices and availability.
What to do in the light nights
The local tourism portal lists fjord and boat trips, walks, hikes and kayaking under the long light evenings. Bright nights do not stretch the opening hours of shops, cafés and tours. A ferry, a bus or a restaurant keeps its own times, so check them before you plan a late outing.
- Mountain views: the Fjellheisen is listed as open from 09 to 24, which reaches midnight. Read the construction notice first on our Fjellheisen page.
- The coast: Sommarøy is a day trip west of town with white sand beaches. The sun's path there depends on the horizon.
- The city: the wooden houses of Storgata are an easy evening walk. Our things to do in Tromsø list has more ideas.
- Hiking: for longer routes, the Lyngen Alps have a separate hiking guide.
Practical tips for light nights
- Sleep: bring an eye mask and ask whether your room has blackout curtains. Neighborhoods are covered in where to stay in Tromsø.
- Weather: a cloud bank over the sea can hide the sun even on the best date. The weather page shows the rain pattern by month.
- Northern lights: the lights cannot be seen in the bright summer sky. They belong to the dark season, from about late August to early April. See the northern lights guide.
- Plan the trip type: the best time to visit depends on what you want. For the wider region, the Northern Norway guide compares the months.
Polar night in Tromsø
The polar night is the opposite season. According to the Yr table, it begins on November 27 and the sun returns on January 15. For the coming winter that means November 27, 2026 and January 15, 2027, taken from the table rather than calculated to the minute.
Polar night does not mean total darkness. Around midday there is twilight. The tourism portal also points out that the astronomical return in mid-January is not the same as seeing the sun in the city center, where it appears later. The sun may be hidden by mountains for a time after January 15.
The dark season is also when many winter activities run, including aurora tours, whale watching and dog sledding. You find these on the tours page, whale watching and dog sledding. Dates for each offer differ and are published separately.
Midnight sun in Tromsø: frequently asked questions
When is the midnight sun in Tromsø?
The whole sun disc is visible at night from May 20 to July 22. The upper edge of the sun is visible at night from May 18 to July 25. These dates come from the Yr table for Tromsø.
Is it really bright all night?
During the main period the sun stays above the horizon at midnight. Local views depend on mountains and buildings, and clouds can hide the sun.
When does the polar night start in 2026?
The table gives November 27 for the start of the polar night and January 15 for the return of the sun. For this winter that is November 27, 2026 and January 15, 2027.
Is it completely dark in the polar night?
No. There is twilight around the middle of the day. The sun itself is below the horizon.
Can I see the northern lights in summer?
No. The lights cannot be seen in the bright summer sky. The season runs from about late August to early April, and even then clear sky is needed and nothing is guaranteed.
Do activities run all night in summer?
Not automatically. The light does not extend the opening hours of tours, ferries or shops. Check the times of each service.