The Entire Icelandic City Of Reykjavik Turned Off All Its Lights For The Northern Lights, This Is What They Saw

Saving electricity never looked so cool.

BY DIANA BRUK | Oct 1, 2016 | Travel

It sounds like something out of a children's story. An entire city turned off all of its street lights one night so that all of its citizens could look up and see swirling beams of green and purple in the sky. It happened on Wednesday night in Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, and the results were nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Chasing the incredible #northernlights #reykjavik #iceland #aurora #sky #travel #astrophotography #stars #nightphotography #erasmus #studyabroad #moin

A photo posted by Sí (@m0um0une) on Sep 30, 2016 at 4:58am PDT

Crazy #auroraborealis #northernlights #hallgrimskirkja

A photo posted by Freyja Melsted (@freytschi) on Sep 28, 2016 at 4:23pm PDT

#auroraborealis #norðurljós #iceland #reykjavik skycandy #natureatitsbest #autumn #winteriscoming #coffeetime #haveagreatday 🌌

A photo posted by Geiri Saem (@geiri_saem) on Sep 29, 2016 at 12:03am PDT

@DSunsets @TheBestSunsets @weather_EU @WeerEnWind @weerwijchen @wx @WX_RT @gjfotos @WeatherNation the ongoing aurora feast by HP Helgason pic.twitter.com/nrQ7YIBnzp
— John Steuten (@SteutenJohn) September 28, 2016

Shot 3 nights ago on my birthday. Great show 🌌 #birthday #show #northernlights #auroraborealis #reykjavik #iceland

A photo posted by Capt. Adam Dunovsky ⚓ (@adamdunovsky) on Sep 30, 2016 at 3:22am PDT

It was an amazing night 📷🌍👌 . . Posted in an article on @nytimes . . . . . #iceland #2k16 #nature #landscape #car #jpperfomance #reykjavik #polarlight #northernlights #green #shine #moving

A photo posted by Florian // 18 (@flo.scha) on Sep 29, 2016 at 1:17am PDT

Though I missed most of the geomagnetic storm that was brewing over the Nordic countries this week, I witnessed the very first day of this aurora event which happened to be my last night in Iceland. Like a drug, I'm still addicted to watching it! 😍

A photo posted by Bryan L (@bryanspero) on Sep 29, 2016 at 10:25pm PDT

Outstanding northern lights from our boat 5 nights in a row now ! It's been a fantastic week... 👏❤️👀 #inspiredbyiceland #mystopover #visitreykjavik #reykjavik #iceland #iceland2016 #wheniniceland #northernlights #aurora #auroraborealis #everydayiceland #workview #inspiredbynature #picoftheday #travelgram #night #auroraborealblog #wowmoment #winter #sailing #specialtours

A photo posted by Special Tours Iceland (@specialtours) on Sep 30, 2016 at 8:43am PDT

Northern lights over Esja last night.

A photo posted by D•o•n•n•a D•T (@directionless_donna) on Sep 30, 2016 at 5:17am PDT

Not a bad view from my window! #northernlights #aurora #Reykjavik #Iceland #nightlife #purple #everydayiceland

A photo posted by Pásztor Domi (@pacdomm) on Sep 29, 2016 at 5:59pm PDT

"Home Sweet Home" This just happened last night. Think it's safe to say that this was the most powerful auroras of the season by landslide , what a show! #iceland @simona_br_photography | @beyondthelands

A photo posted by Arnar Kristjansson | Iceland🇮🇸 (@arnarkristjans_photography) on Sep 27, 2016 at 2:01pm PDT

Iceland's capital plunges into darkness for stunning Northern Lights display. The city of #Reykjavik turned dark overnight to allow residents and visitors the unforgettable opportunity to view the dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis. 📷: xingqiaoyan #iceland #northernlights

A photo posted by CNN (@cnn) on Sep 29, 2016 at 4:49am PDT

| Lights Draped Over Iceland | #aurora #night #sky #stars #astro #shine #lighthouse #darkness #iceland #reykjavik #colour #life #landscape #beach #pretty #amazing #passion #photography #events #weddings #yyc #breathe #fresh

A photo posted by Chivalry Productions (@chivalry.productions) on Sep 29, 2016 at 6:14pm PDT

If you want to see for yourself, the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is between September and mid-April.

From: Country Living.