Most people see the sun rise and set every day. But in some places, the sun won’t go set for weeks at a time. The Midnight Sun is an unusual event that happens around the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. It happens because the Earth is tilted, therefore there is always daylight in the summer.
Here are five areas where the sun stays up long beyond midnight and night never really falls.
1. Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is often nicknamed the “Gateway to the Arctic.” From late May to late July, it has the Midnight Sun. People in the area take advantage of the perpetual daylight by having festivals at night, going trekking, and even running marathons at midnight.
2. Barrow, Alaska, USA
Barrow is the northernmost city in the US. Every summer, it gets roughly 82 days of sun in a row. The other side is just as extreme: a long, dark polar night in the winter.
3. Reykjavik, Iceland
In June and early July, Iceland’s capital has over 24 hours of daylight. The sun does go beyond the horizon, but twilight keeps the city lit up, allowing visitors plenty of time to explore.
4. Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
This small Norwegian town lies deep in the Arctic Circle and doesn’t see the sun set for more than four months every year. Life here has its own rhythm; stores and restaurants stay open late, and curtains are a must.
5. Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi is known as Santa Claus’s “official hometown.” From early June until early July, the sun never sets there. People come here not only during the day, but also to do things like river cruises, hiking, and watching the strange glow of a sunset that never ends.
The Midnight Sun can mess up your sleep routine, but it also shows how amazing Earth’s cycles can be. For those who see it, the sight of the sun high in the sky at midnight is something they will never forget.
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