Midnight Sun and Polar Night in Svalbard
When the sun stays up and when it stays below the horizon on Svalbard
Midnight sun dates in Svalbard
Svalbard has midnight sun from 20 April to 23 August. The Longyearbyen figure for the midnight sun is different at its start: it begins on 19 April and also ends on 23 August.
Longyearbyen also has a 24-hour sundial, which works around the clock in summer. The two date ranges end on the same day, 23 August, and differ only in the day the midnight sun begins.
Polar night dates in Svalbard
On Svalbard the sun stays under the horizon during the polar night from 26 October to 15 February. At 78° North, where Longyearbyen lies, there is no daylight from about 27 October to 14 February.
Longyearbyen has polar night from 14 November to 29 January. For Svalbard, the sun stays under the horizon during the polar night from 26 October to 15 February.
Twilight and visibility in December
Unlike northern mainland Norway, Svalbard has no twilight midday in the polar night, and it is fully dark at least all of December. Longyearbyen's nautical polar twilight is stated to run from about 11 November until 30 January.
The sun is below the horizon until 16 February, yet it is not visible in Longyearbyen until 8 March. The stated reason for this gap is the surrounding terrain.
Midnight sun and polar night by parallel
| Parallel north | Midnight sun | Polar night |
|---|---|---|
| 74th parallel north | 99 days | 84 days |
| 81st parallel north | 141 days | 128 days |
At the 74th parallel north, the midnight sun lasts 99 days and the polar night lasts 84 days. At the 81st parallel north, the midnight sun lasts 141 days and the polar night lasts 128 days. Both parallels are given as totals in days.
Seasonal events and the light
Longyearbyen's Dark Season Blues Festival takes place in late October and marks the start of the dark season. Solfestuka, the sun festival week around 8 March, celebrates the end of the polar night.
The 'light winter' period from March to May is the high season for fly-and-stay guests, with both sunlight and snow. Svalbard has midnight sun from 20 April to 23 August, and the sun stays under the horizon during the polar night from 26 October to 15 February.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight sun, Svalbard | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | AprRuns | MayRuns | JunRuns | JulRuns | AugRuns | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Polar night, Svalbard | JanRuns | FebRuns | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | OctRuns | NovRuns | DecRuns |
| Light winter, fly-and-stay high season | Not listed | Not listed | MarRuns | AprRuns | MayRuns | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
- Runs
Months that fall within each stated date range.
Outside town and staying in Longyearbyen
Travellers outside settlements are required to carry a rifle at all times, and the stated purpose is protection against polar bears.
- Count on the main islands: 500 bears at any one time.
- Longyearbyen recommends that anyone venturing outside carry a rifle for protection against polar bears.
Camping stays in Longyearbyen start at 120 kr per night, and tent rental is not included in that price.
Questions about the light
When does the midnight sun period run in Svalbard?
The Svalbard midnight sun period runs from 20 April to 23 August.
When is the polar night in Longyearbyen?
The stated window for Longyearbyen's polar night is 14 November to 29 January.
When does the sun first become visible in Longyearbyen after the polar night?
Not until 8 March. The sun is below the horizon until 16 February, and the surrounding terrain is the stated reason for the later date.
Is there any twilight midday in the polar night on Svalbard?
No. Svalbard has no twilight midday in the polar night, and it is fully dark at least all of December.
Is a rifle required outside the settlements?
Yes. Travellers outside settlements must carry a rifle at all times.
How much does camping in Longyearbyen cost?
Camping stays start at 120 kr per night, and tent rental is not included in that price.
Which event marks the start of the dark season?
Longyearbyen's Dark Season Blues Festival, held in late October, marks the start of the dark season.
How long is the midnight sun at the 81st parallel north?
At the 81st parallel north the midnight sun lasts 141 days, and the polar night lasts 128 days.