Bodø sits just above the Arctic Circle at 67.3°N, which means you get the full drama of both the midnight sun and the polar night. The midnight sun runs from late May to mid-July: on the longest days the sun does not set at all for several weeks. This is the most popular time to visit, and prices and ferry bookings reflect that — book accommodation and Lofoten ferries well in advance from late June through August.
The northern lights season runs from October through March. Bodø is a reliable viewing location because the surrounding countryside has little light pollution and the horizon to the north is open. Clear, cold nights in January and February are the best bet. The polar night — the period when the sun stays below the horizon all day — runs roughly from mid-December to mid-January at this latitude; the twilight hours around midday are eerie and beautiful.
Shoulder seasons (May and September) offer reasonable weather, shorter crowds, and the interesting transition lighting. September in particular can be very good: the autumn colours, low-angle light, and the first northern lights of the season combine well. Winter travel is practical but requires preparation — the roads on the Bodøhalvøya peninsula are maintained, but temperatures drop well below zero and ice is constant.
Bodøsjøen 1940 Festival in late May commemorates the German bombing of the city. The Nordland Music Festival (Nordland Musikkfestuke) takes place in August and brings classical and folk performances to the city.