Christmas Eve in Greenland

A holiday with different work arrangements

Greenland’s calendar lists Christmas Eve among its public holidays, and Visit Greenland also includes December 24 in its holiday list.[2] Info Norden, however, places Christmas Eve among days off that may be granted under a collective agreement, employment contract or staff handbook rather than among the public holidays most employees usually get off. In practice, whether an employee has the day off can depend on their workplace arrangements.[3]

There is no universal statutory right to a full day off or an automatic substitute day when December 24 falls on a Sunday. Greenland also has no Closing Days Act, so shops may set their own opening hours.[3] Check local notices and your employment terms for the arrangements that apply to you.

A season of church, song and family

The Greenland National Museum and Archives describes Christmas as a Christian season whose customs and food differ from place to place, while churchgoing is a central part of the holiday for many families. Its account says December 24 has traditionally been associated with children, December 25 with the main holiday, and December 26 with young people.[1]

In the museum’s description of Upernavik customs, people gather at the cemetery at midnight on December 24 to sing hymns and light candles on graves. Later, children open gifts after dancing around the tree, then go from door to door singing and receive sweets or Christmas baking. The museum notes these details as local Upernavik traditions, rather than customs that should be assumed to occur identically across Greenland.[1]

Visit Greenland describes Christmas celebrations more broadly: people sing in church and at home, some dance around the tree on Christmas Eve, and children may sing outside homes for treats. Its account also describes red-orange Christmas stars in windows and community tree lightings during Advent.[2]

Meals and regional customs

There is no single Christmas Eve menu across Greenland. Visit Greenland says some households serve roast pork or duck, while others choose Greenland lamb, musk ox, reindeer, razorbill or grouse. The National Museum likewise emphasizes that food and local customs vary from place to place.[1][2]

The museum’s account of Upernavik describes gifts being opened on Christmas Eve morning after the tree dance, while Visit Greenland notes that the main celebration in some households takes place in the evening. These accounts point to variation in timing and practice, so visitors should follow local invitations and community guidance rather than expect one national routine.[1][2]

What travelers can expect

Shop opening is not fixed by a general closing-days law. Info Norden says shops commonly close on public holidays, especially in smaller towns and settlements, while larger towns may have larger supermarkets open. Opening hours can therefore differ by community and business; arrange essential shopping in advance and check with the specific shop.[3]

Nuup Bussii, Nuuk’s bus operator, lists Christmas Eve as a day when its weekend and holiday timetable applies, with bus service stopping at 7 p.m. This information applies to Nuuk buses. Check with your transport operator for schedules elsewhere in Greenland.[4]