Northern Lights provide spectacular show over much of NL

The Northern Lights were visible over large parts of the Netherlands on Monday evening, from the north to deep into Brabant.

The Northern Lights, or the aurora borealis, are created when energised particles from the sun slam into the Earth’s upper atmosphere at extremely high speeds. The Earth’s magnetic field redirects them to the North and South Pole, creating waves of coloured light.

The closer to the poles, the more likely the lights are to be visible.

The lights can usually be seen in the Netherlands once or twice a year, but Monday night’s display was said to be particularly good. The lights appear more dynamic when seen through a camera lens.

Oh wow!! The Northern Lights were visible over Amsterdam this evening (just 10 minutes ago)!! I’ve never seen them here before. Extraordinary! #amsterdam #noorderlicht pic.twitter.com/ky0J1IlI2u

— Keith Jenkins 🏳️‍🌈 (@velvetescape) January 19, 2026

I’ve never seen it like this. Tonight’s northern lights from the Netherlands. The beams were visible through the naked eye and dancing in the sky! #noorderlicht #Auroraborealis #poollicht #northernlights pic.twitter.com/FK8oaX79G1

— Anita van Voorst (@AnitavVoorst) January 19, 2026

wow wow WOW! Wat een fantastische show van noorderlicht kregen wij voorgeschoteld gisteren avond! Felle rode pilaren in combinatie met snel bewegende, dansende gordijnen van intens groen noorderlicht waren zichtbaar boven Nederland. pic.twitter.com/b5X971poiV

— Rick B (@RBekker93) January 20, 2026

Genieten van een intense noorderlichtshow! De kleuren waren opvallend fel: een ‘dansende’ groene band hing zelfs helemaal richting het zuiden. Ook tof om te zien dat zoveel mensen het #noorderlicht nu een keer zelf konden spotten 🌌

Mijn eerste foto rond 22.20u vlakbij Nijmegen: pic.twitter.com/wIU1JpkuzP

— Wouter van Bernebeek (@StormchaserNL) January 20, 2026