Christmas Day in Greenland

Public holiday and its meaning

Greenland’s public-holiday list includes December 25 as the first day of Christmas. A collective agreement published by SIK also names Christmas Day as a public holiday and sets out holiday-pay provisions for workers covered by that agreement.[2][3]

The Greenland National Museum and Archives describes the Christmas season as Christian, with traditions that differ by locality. In its account, December 25 is traditionally the main holiday and a day associated with adults and older people; December 24 is associated with children, and December 26 with young people.[1]

Customs around the holiday

The museum’s record of customs in Upernavik describes a season that begins on Advent Sunday. Residents light Christmas stars and decorate homes; the town tree lighting includes a local official’s speech and hymns sung by a choir. Schools, childcare institutions and workplaces also hold seasonal gatherings. These details document Upernavik and should not be assumed to describe every Greenlandic community.[1]

In the same Upernavik account, people gather in the churchyard around midnight on December 24 to sing hymns in memory of the dead, and candles are lit on graves. Children go from house to house singing and receive sweets and Christmas baking. On December 25, families visit one another, while children continue singing from door to door and adults sing in the evening.[1]

Church, food and local variation

Church attendance is a recurring part of the season, and for many families it is central. Visit Greenland describes Christmas services in towns and settlements, with hymns sung in Greenlandic and Danish. It also reports that Christmas meals vary by location and household: some serve pork or duck, while others choose Greenland lamb, musk ox, reindeer, razorbill or grouse.[1][2]

The season continues through Epiphany on January 6. Christmas observances are not identical in every town or settlement.[1][2]

Planning for Christmas Day

Travelers should check directly with the businesses and transport providers they plan to use. Visit Greenland’s travel FAQ gives general shopping information, but not Christmas Day hours.[2][4]