The Enchantment of Michigan's Northern Lights: A Must-See Natural Wonder

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of nature’s most mesmerizing displays. For those lucky enough to witness them, they leave a lasting imprint—something both deeply personal and universally awe-inspiring. Here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, particularly in the Keweenaw Peninsula, we’re in a prime location to see these ethereal ribbons of light dance across the sky.

But their beauty is only part of the story.

For centuries, the Northern Lights have carried deep cultural and spiritual significance, inspiring myths, rituals, and traditions across the world. In Michigan, they have long been intertwined with Indigenous beliefs and the heritage of Finnish immigrants who settled in the region.

Whether seen as a scientific wonder, a spiritual sign, or a moment of quiet connection with the land, the auroras invite us to slow down, look up, and experience the magic of the night sky.

The Science Behind the Magic

While they may feel otherworldly, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon shaped by the forces of the sun and Earth’s magnetic field. 

At their core, they are the result of charged particles from the sun colliding with gases in our atmosphere. When these high-energy solar particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere, they create vibrant colors—greens, purples, pinks, and deep reds—that shimmer across the sky.

Purple or Pink – You might see a bit of purple or pink at the bottom edge of the Northern Lights. These colors aren’t super common, but they can show up during stronger displays, especially close to the horizon.

Green – This is the most common color in the Northern Lights. It usually makes up the main part of the show and sits in the middle area of the sky. If you've seen photos of auroras, the bright green is probably what you remember.

Red – Red is less common and usually only shows up during very strong auroras. When it does appear, it tends to glow above the green, higher up in the sky.

White –The lights may look white to your eyes sometimes, especially if they’re faint or far away. But that’s just your eyes trying to catch up — the Northern Lights don’t actually make white light.

Geomagnetic storms, often triggered by solar flares, enhance the auroras, making them more visible even at lower latitudes. These storms vary in intensity, meaning that no two light displays are ever the same. One night might bring gentle green waves, while another might reveal bold, shifting curtains of pink and purple. This unpredictability is part of what makes the experience so special—you never quite know what the sky will reveal.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is an ideal place to witness this spectacle. Its northern latitude brings it closer to the auroral oval, where the lights are most active. The region’s vast wilderness and minimal light pollution make it one of the best spot

Experiencing the Northern Lights: Timing & Luck

Catching the Northern Lights in Michigan isn’t just about luck—it’s about knowing when and where to look.

Today, aurora forecasts, like those from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, give real-time updates on where the lights are most likely to appear. Timing your adventure with these forecasts gives you a strong chance of seeing the show; the real challenge is finding clear skies. Cloud cover, not the aurora itself, is often the deciding factor.

The tradition of chasing the lights runs deep in the Upper Peninsula. Generations ago, families would bundle up in heavy wool, light their lanterns, and head beyond town to find open, dark skies. That spirit lives on today, with modern travelers packing up warm gear, checking forecasts, and driving out to remote overlooks, beaches, and backroads.

While it’s possible to see the aurora any time of year, we’re currently in a peak period of solar activity, making the Northern Lights stronger and more frequent than usual. This rare window won’t last forever.

Winter holds a special kind of magic, too. Longer nights mean more hours of darkness, and when the sky lights up, the reflections on ice and snow make the entire landscape glow.

For some, seeing the aurora is a moment of quiet awe. For others, it’s a reason to gather with friends, swap stories, and sit together under a sky that might, if you’re lucky, catch fire with color.

Stories in the Sky: Legends and Lore

Michigan’s folklore is rich with tales about the Northern Lights. Many see them as a celestial message—an omen of change, a sign of good fortune, or a gentle reminder of the unseen forces at play in the world around us.

The Indigenous Anishinaabe peoples—especially the Ojibwe, who have long called the Upper Peninsula home—see the Northern Lights as spirits dancing across the sky, a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. Some stories tell of animals running through the heavens, a reminder of the bond between humans and nature.

Finnish settlers in Michigan brought their own traditions and myths, including the legend of revontulet, or “fox fires.” According to Finnish folklore, the auroras are caused by a fox racing across the snowy tundra, its tail brushing against the landscape and sending sparks into the sky. This enchanting story ties the lights to the fox’s fiery spirit and reminds us of nature’s power and mystery.

The Finnish people also viewed the auroras as a powerful omen—sometimes signaling prosperity and good harvests, other times serving as a warning of hardship ahead. These beliefs, carried across generations, helped shape the traditions of Michigan’s Finnish communities, many of whom settled in the Upper Peninsula.

Even today, these stories connect Michigan to Finland, uniting people across continents through a shared reverence for the night sky.

The Sauna: A Time-Honored Tradition

No experience of the Northern Lights in Michigan would be complete without the warmth of a sauna. A deeply rooted Finnish tradition, the sauna is a place of relaxation, cleansing, and renewal—an essential part of life in the Upper Peninsula.

Indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes region, including the Ojibwe, have long practiced sweat lodge ceremonies—spiritual rituals that use heat and steam for purification, healing, and connection with the natural world. While distinct from the Finnish sauna tradition, both reflect a shared understanding of the powerful bond between fire, water, and community.

After a long day of exploring, there’s nothing more soothing than stepping into the heat of a sauna, letting the steam envelop you, and feeling the chill melt away. The cycle of sweating, rinsing in cool water (or even rolling in the snow, for the bold), and repeating is a practice that rejuvenates the body and mind.

It’s the perfect prelude to stepping outside into the crisp night air, skin tingling, breath visible, and the auroras shimmering overhead. Some take the tradition a step further, embracing the cold by plunging into the icy waters of Lake Superior before dashing back to the warmth of a campfire or sauna.

It’s a ritual of contrast—cold and heat, stillness and movement, silence and laughter—all under a sky filled with light.

Northern Lights seen from our Takka Superior sauna.

Embrace the Glow

The Northern Lights are more than just a natural wonder. They bridge science and spirit, past and present—a reminder of the beauty we’re lucky to witness.

Right now, during the sun’s stormy season, the auroras are stronger, brighter, and more frequent than they’ll be for years to come. It’s a rare window—and the perfect time to plan your trip and see them for yourself.

Here in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, dark skies, wide horizons, and crisp air make it one of the best places to experience the show (if you ask us). So bundle up, step outside, and let the sky work its magic. The Northern Lights are waiting.