This City Goes Weeks Without a Sunrise

The clock says noon. The sun never appeared. How does an entire city keep going when sunrise disappears for weeks? In Tromsø, Norway, work, school and everyday life continue through polar night. But keeping a city moving without sunrise takes more than switching on the streetlights. From cleared pavements and reflective clothing to illuminated ski trails and welcoming public spaces, discover what helps people navigate the Arctic winter—and what gets them out of the house when the working day ends. Along the way, we explore winter races, outdoor cinema and the long-awaited return of sunlight. There’s one important detail: polar night doesn’t mean constant pitch-black darkness. Even without sunrise, midday can bring a remarkable blue twilight. Would you find it harder to wake up without sunrise—or to go out again after work? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe to How Places Work for documentaries about how people make everyday life possible in extraordinary places. CHAPTERS 00:00 Noon Without a Sunrise 03:20 Why the Sun Disappears 05:02 Keeping the City on Time 07:25 Keeping Streets and People Moving 11:31 Seeing and Being Seen 14:25 Life After Work 20:20 Winter Races and Outdoor Cinema 25:38 When the Sun Finally Returns #polarnight #tromsø #documentary