Places Where Time Doesn’t Exist: 8 Cities Experiencing Endless Daylight or Darkness

Imagine living in a place where the sun sticks around for months, refusing to set…or where darkness blankets the landscape so deeply it feels like time itself is on pause. For some communities, that’s just life. From Alaska’s northern tip to Russia’s remote tundra, these cities navigate the strange rhythms of endless night and endless day, adapting their daily routines, traditions, and even festivals to match nature’s extreme schedule. It’s a world where the usual rules about time and light don’t apply, and the people who call these places home have found ways to make it their own. Here’s a look at the cities that redefine what day and night can really mean.

Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Alaska, USA

In America’s northernmost town, the sun disappears from mid-November until late January and then refuses to set from early May until August. It’s all or nothing up here! During the long, dark winter, locals lean on light therapy lamps, community activities, and exercise to keep spirits up (like cozy gatherings and winter sports). And when that endless daylight rolls in, blackout curtains save the day.

Travelers visit during polar night to catch a glimpse of the northern lights and experience a darkness unlike any other. In summer, visitors are treated to nonstop outdoor adventures like wildlife tours, midnight hikes, and fishing. One of Utqiaġvik’s most unique events is Nalukataq, the spring whaling festival, complete with dancing, drumming, and the famous blanket toss—an Arctic celebration of light after months of darkness.

Tromsø, Norway

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This gorgeous city in Norway goes dark from mid-November to mid-January, then enjoys daylight from mid-May to mid-July. Tromsø locals know how to keep things lively through the darkest days, with candle-lit cafes, cozy indoor gatherings, and winter sports galore. In summer, it’s all about exploring under the midnight sun—hiking, kayaking, and camping become round-the-clock activities.

Tourists flock here in winter for the northern lights, dog-sledding, and reindeer sleigh rides, while summer brings midnight hikes and whale-watching under endless sunshine. Tromsø even hosts the Polar Night Half Marathon in January, where runners dash through the dark, illuminated by the glowing aurora overhead.

Svalbard, Norway

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Welcome to Svalbard, where winter brings four months of darkness, from late October until mid-February. Summer, on the other hand, bathes this Arctic archipelago in continuous daylight from April to late August. To stay grounded, residents rely on routines, exercise, and good blackout blinds when they need to sleep. For visitors, the polar night offers surreal experiences like northern lights shows and ice cave explorations, while the endless summer daylight is ideal for glacier hiking, boat tours, and spotting arctic animals. One event you might love: the Dark Season Blues festival in October!

Murmansk, Russia

Murmansk, the largest city within the Arctic Circle, dives into darkness for six weeks from December to mid-January. But come June and July, it’s white nights all the way, with constant twilight. Locals keep their spirits up with winter sports, art and music festivals, and community events that bring light and joy into the season. Tourists head to Murmansk in winter to chase the northern lights and try out snowmobiling, ice fishing, or even taking a nuclear icebreaker to the North Pole!

Rovaniemi, Finland

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Known as Santa Claus’s official hometown, Rovaniemi experiences polar night from early December to early January, and midnight sun from June through July. The people here fully embrace the Christmas spirit, filling the dark months with twinkling lights, festive markets, and winter sports. When summer comes, they switch gears for river swimming, hiking, and midnight sun picnics. Travelers come year-round: winter promises the northern lights and a visit with Santa himself, while summer is perfect for endless daylight adventures. Midnight Sun Film Festival in June lets movie lovers catch films under the constant summer light—a true bucket-list experience for film buffs.

Reykjavík, Iceland

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Iceland’s capital might not be quite as extreme as the other spots on this list, but it still faces near-total darkness around the winter solstice, with just four hours of daylight, and near-total sunlight in midsummer. Icelanders take on the darkness with a mix of coffee, geothermal hot springs, and cozy indoor gatherings. And when summer arrives, they practically live outdoors, hiking, camping, and enjoying endless festivals. Winter visitors are treated to the northern lights and steaming hot springs, while summer travelers get to explore Iceland’s stunning landscape with constant daylight. The Winter Lights Festival in February breaks up the long, dark season with stunning displays, and summer’s Secret Solstice festival brings big-name acts to play under the midnight sun.

Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada

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In Canada’s far north, Iqaluit has a wild relationship with daylight. Summer brings nearly 20 hours of sun, while winter means just four hours of daylight around the solstice. Locals, especially Indigenous communities, keep the culture strong with traditional celebrations, winter sports, and unique arts events. Summer days are for fishing, hiking, and berry-picking in the endless daylight. Tourists come in winter for polar bear spotting and igloo stays, while summer brings visitors looking to see arctic wildlife. Late June’s Alianait Arts Festival is a vibrant celebration of Inuit culture that embraces the midnight sun.

Norilsk, Russia

One of the most remote (and coldest!) industrial cities in the world, Norilsk sees about six weeks of polar night from mid-December to late January and stretches of endless daylight in summer. With harsh winters and a gritty lifestyle, locals rely on community events, strong routines, and art to keep spirits high. Tourists are few, but those who visit experience a slice of life in one of the world’s harshest environments, where the tundra landscape and polar night create a surreal, isolated experience. The Day of the Reindeer Breeder in March celebrates Nenets culture, featuring reindeer races and other traditions in a wintry wonderland.

About the Author

Mike is a freelance writer who researches and shares actionable advice around travel, finance, and personal growth. Read his other articles on Frayed Passport here.

Featured image by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash