LivingTravelHow Christmas is celebrated in Greenland

How Christmas is celebrated in Greenland

Greenland Christmas traditions are unique, even the fact that Christmas trees have to be imported because it is too cold in Greenland for them!

In Greenland, local Christmas customs are similar to those in Denmark due to their political affiliation. The trees are decorated and adorned with candles, paper hearts, paper flowers and more trees, as well as flags from Greenland and Denmark. Gifts are placed under the tree.

Food traditions

Greenlanders have a special diet, of course, for this special celebration. On the festive table, you will find seals, whales and reindeer meat. Included are specialty delicacies such as mattak (whale skin) and kiviak (a dish of meat, fat, blood, herbs and berries, which is wrapped in Robbenbalg and preserved by freezing), as well as halibut and smoked salmon.

The season

A typical traditional Greenland Christmas begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (the first day of Advent). In Greenland, this is an important day celebrated in churches and homes. Local men may wear the typical white anorak on festive dates, while others may wear traditional Greenlandic attire.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas in Greenland, colorful decorations are put up and illuminated Christmas stars are hung in many windows.

Every town in Greenland places a lit Christmas tree on a hill for all to see. Anyone who can afford to have a tree shipped from Denmark decorates it at home on December 23rd. Typical tree decorations include candles, ornaments, and handmade items.

The children go from house to house in traditional Greenlandic costumes singing their Christmas carols and it is definitely a truly magical experience. Also note that there is no daylight in Greenland in December and you will understand why the allure of the Christmas season with all its candles and decorations seems even more special here in Greenland. While it can get very cold, it is very comforting and goose bumps are guaranteed.

On Christmas Eve, there is a popular church service attended by many in Greenlandic national dress or white anorak. After that, a big part of Christmas in Greenland is coffee and cakes, along with mattak and kiviak .

Gifts often include traditional model children’s sleds or local artisan clothing.

Towards the new year

Greenland calms down at the end of December in anticipation of the New Year. The locals celebrate it twice! There’s the Danish New Year at 8pm Greenland time and then the real Greenlandic New Year is celebrated at midnight local time. It’s a beautiful sight when you see the Northern Lights at the same time!

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