By Katarina Raker

The New Year began with a gift from nature – the northern lights! While fireworks lit up cities around the world, the skies over Iceland were alive with one of the most breathtaking aurora displays in years.

On January 1st, Iceland witnessed a rare and stunning show of red northern lights. These vibrant red streaks, mixed with greens and purples, lit up the night sky like a celestial painting. Red auroras happen when energetic particles from the sun collide with oxygen high in the Earth’s atmosphere. They’re not as common as green lights, making this New Year’s display even more special.

This amazing sight was caused by two strong solar storms, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), hitting Earth’s magnetic field. These storms pushed auroras farther south than usual, with lights visible as far as California, Austria, and Germany. But Iceland’s dark skies and incredible landscapes made the experience unforgettable.

Why 2025 Is a Great Year for Northern Lights

We are getting closer to the solar maximum, the most active part of the Sun’s 11-year cycle. This means stronger solar storms and more chances to see the northern lights! If you missed the New Year’s show, don’t worry – there will be many opportunities to see the auroras in 2025.