Season by season
Polar night (late November–mid-January). No direct sun, a few hours of coloured twilight and long aurora nights. Whale season is at its height. Busy and expensive around Christmas and New Year.
Late winter (February–early April). Returning light, the deepest snow and the most stable cold: the best all-round time for dog sledding, skiing, snowmobiling and northern lights in the evening.
Spring and summer (May–August). Snow lingers in the mountains into June. The midnight sun shines from about 20 May to 22 July; this is the season for hiking, kayaking, fjord cruises and road trips. No aurora — it never gets dark.
Autumn (September–October). Darkness and the northern lights return while the fjords are still ice-free and the birch forest turns yellow. Fewer visitors and lower prices; often wet.
Month-by-month
| Month | Avg. high | Avg. low | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1°C / 30°F | -5°C / 23°F | Peak |
| February | -1°C / 30°F | -5°C / 23°F | Peak |
| March | 1°C / 34°F | -4°C / 25°F | Peak |
| April | 4°C / 39°F | -1°C / 30°F | Moderate |
| May | 9°C / 48°F | 3°C / 37°F | Quiet |
| June | 13°C / 55°F | 7°C / 45°F | Busy |
| July | 16°C / 61°F | 10°C / 50°F | Peak |
| August | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | Busy |
| September | 11°C / 52°F | 6°C / 43°F | Moderate |
| October | 5°C / 41°F | 1°C / 34°F | Moderate |
| November | 2°C / 36°F | -2°C / 28°F | Busy |
| December | 0°C / 32°F | -4°C / 25°F | Peak |
Figures for: Tromsø. Temperatures are rounded long-term averages for the place named above; real days vary widely, and wind makes it feel much colder. Crowd levels are our own estimate.
Events & festivals
- January: Tromsø International Film Festival
- Late January–early February: Northern Lights Festival of classical and contemporary music
- Around 6 February: Sami Week, with reindeer racing in the main street
- 20 May–22 July (approx.): Midnight sun
- June: Midnight Sun Marathon
- July: Bukta open-air rock festival
