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Midnight Sun
The Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon occurring in summer months at latitudes north of the Arctic Circle where the sun remains visible at local midnight.
Photo credit: Tomas Utsi/imagebank.sweden.se

When and where to see the spectacular Midnight Sun in Sweden

Midnight Sun is when the sun never sets in the summer. The Midnight Sun is a 24-hour period of sunlight that can be experienced above the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland.

What is the Midnight Sun?

Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon occurring in the summer months and means that the sun can be seen even in the middle of the night.

When can you see the Midnight sun in Sweden?

Summertime in Swedish Lapland, usually between the end of May and mid-July. However the further north you go, the longer the Midnight Sun will last.

Where are the best places to see the Midnight Sun?

You can see the midnight sun in places above the Arctic Circle. Abisko, Björkliden, Gällivare, Jokkmokk, Kebnekaise and Riksgränsen to name a few.

Midsummer in northern Sweden
In the very north of Sweden, above the arctic circle, for roughly two months around summer solstice the sun doesn't set at all. For most of the rest of summer, the brief dip below the horizon is barely noticeable. It's the ideal spot for celebrating Midsummer. Photo: Asaf Kliger/imagebank.sweden.se

Midnight Sun experiences

  • Midsummer is the Swedish celebration of the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. For something extra, take part in the festivities at a place where the sun doesn't set. Midsummer is celebrated on 23 June 2023.
  • Past midnight you can get 18 holes in at Björkliden Arctic Golf Course; in fact, you can get as many rounds in as you want since there is no sunset. And at Tornio Haparanda Golf you can play in two countries at once since 11 holes are located in Sweden and 7 in Finland.
  • The more adventurous traveller could always take on the challenge of scaling Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain. Or join a midnight hike to Aurora Sky Station, where you enjoy snacks, beverages and colourful views from Mount Nuolja.
  • A truly unique race is Laponia Triathlon 67°N on 8 July 2023, where you swim, bike and run under the Midnight Sun.
  • The possibility to ski under Midnight Sun is one of the draws at ski resort Riksgränsen.
  • For your very own midnight sun experience, pick a quiet spot with uninterrupted views; which is not a problem in vast Swedish Lapland, and bathe in the rays of the unique and spectacular Midnight Sun.

Wide awake in Swedish Lapland

The Midnight Sun experience in Sweden might mess with your head for the first few days after you arrive, so pack a sleeping mask if you want to get some shut-eye. Even the people who live in Swedish Lapland have problems sleeping and blackout curtains are a big seller.

The best advice is to simply succumb to the light and bedazzled into staying vertical for as long as you can to enjoy this unique part of the world. Slow down and enjoy the never-ending summer days. You can sleep when you get home.

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Midnight Sun

Two people enjoy the Midnight Sun from Luossavaara outside Kiruna. For roughly two months the sun doesn't set at all, and for most of the rest of summer, the brief dip below the horizon is barely noticeable. The view is of the Scandinavian Mountain range.

Photo: Jonatan Stålhös/imagebank.sweden.se

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Midnight Sun

Photo: Jonatan Stålhös/imagebank.sweden.se

Midnight Sun

Photo: Sandra Lee Pettersson

After the Midnight Sun

Photo: Moa Karlberg/imagebank.sweden.se

Midnight Sun biking

Photo: Staffan Widstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

Midnight Sun in Swedish Lapland

Photo: Markus Alatalo

Water skiing in the Midnight Sun

Photo: Jonatan Stålhös/imagebank.sweden.se