Greenland in January

Dark and cold; sun returns to Ilulissat in mid-January. Northern lights in Kangerlussuaq.

• 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.

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.

• New Year

  1 Jan

  Fireworks; closures.

• Return of the sun (Ilulissat and the north)

  Mid-January (varies by town)

  Local celebrations when the sun first rises after the polar night.

Crowds · Greenland

Low

Prices · Greenland

Low

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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