When to go · Greenland
Greenland in December
Mixed month. Polar night in Ilulissat; Christmas at home; limited flights.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Greenland
- Prices
- Medium
- Greenland
Verdict
Polar night in Ilulissat; Christmas at home; limited flights.
Weather in December
- Nuuk and the southwest coast · Nuuk, Maniitsoq, Paamiutcool
Maritime: winters around −8 °C, summers 5–10 °C; fog and wind can ground flights any time.
- Disko Bay · Ilulissat, Qeqertarsuaq, Aasiaatcool
North of the Arctic Circle: midnight sun late May to late July, polar night in December; March–April for sledding with light.
- Kangerlussuaq and the inland · Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut hinterlandcool
Dry continental climate: −30 °C in winter, clear skies for northern lights, 15–20 °C on summer days; mosquitoes in July.
- South Greenland · Narsarsuaq, Qaqortoq, Narsaq, Nanortalikcool
The mildest and greenest region; sheep farms and Norse ruins; föhn winds can be violent.
- East Greenland · Tasiilaq, Ittoqqortoormiitcool
Sea ice can block the coast into July; polar bears; reached via Iceland.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas big impact
24–26 Dec
Most things closed; few flights.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Greenland
- Low
- Prices · Greenland
- Medium
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket