The Northern Lights are one of nature's great displays, a free, multicoloured light show; every performance is different, a beautiful, shifting dance of nocturnal rainbows that many viewers find a spiritually uplifting experience. To see the celestial disco in its full glory, head north towards the Arctic, above latitude 60 degrees at the least. The snowy wilds of Canada and Alaska are fine viewing spots, too, but for most of us it is more affordable, and convenient, to fly to Iceland or northern Scandinavia, commonly known as Lapland. Here, it is possible to see the lights from late September to early April, with October to November and February to March considered optimum periods. The hours of darkness increase the farther north you travel, and while the aurora can be sighted at any moment, 9pm to 2am tends to be prime viewing time.