• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Northern Lights. By Mads Pihl

Will the Northern Lights be under your Christmas tree?

If you are looking for an unconventional Christmas gift, a shimmering green curtain of celestial light might be just the ticket.

A trip to see the northern lights in Greenland is a unique experience that you are not likely to forget in a hurry.

The Northern Lights are one of the world’s most spectacular meteorological phenomena. They are steeped in legend and mythology. For example, it is said that when the Northern Lights dance around the sky, it means that the spirits are playing football with the skull of a walrus.

If you see the Northern Lights, you will understand the imagination and the ‘fear’ that has inspired these legends. This vast – and utterly silent – tapestry of celestial colour is tantamount to a supernatural experience!

The Northern Lights are one of the world’s most spectacular meteorological phenomena.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Greenland Tours: Northern Lights & Icebergs

Greenland Tours

Northern Lights & Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

FROM €830
Greenland Travel: Dream trip to an Arctic Paradise

Greenland Travel

Dream trip to an Arctic Paradise

Get an experience of a lifetime! See Disco Bay in all its glory. Go explore! See whales, calving glaciers, majestic icebergs and much more

FROM €4,580
Greenland Travel: Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Greenland Travel

Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Sail on Ilulissat Ice Fjord and see the icebergs. Go dogsledding. See northern lights. Walk the Ice Cap. Go explore! Greenland is waiting

FROM €2,095
Greenland by Topas – Dog Sledding, Igloo Lodge and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Greenland by Topas

Dog Sledding and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Sled dogs are in their element under the frosty sky, crackling snow and fluttering Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) of the Greenlandic winter. Overnight stay in Igloo Lodge.

FROM €2,812
Show More

SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ON CHRISTMAS

We recommend you go to Kangerlussuaq (which is only a four and a half hour flight from Denmark) or Ilulissat in Disko Bay. Both towns are wonderful places to see the Northern Lights from November to March. Local tour agencies arrange trips out to see the Northern Lights.

Can’t wait for Christmas? Celebrate the 4 Sundays of Advent with us!

Visit our Advent page, here

HEAD OUT INTO THE NIGHT IN ILULISSAT WITH A HEADLAMP ON YOUR FOREHEAD

You will be going on a 20-30 minute hike from the old helipad to Holms Bakke. Your guide will tell you stories about the Northern Lights.

Hopefully, the Northern Lights will appear while you stand and gaze out over the Ice Fjord.

On the way, you will get to enjoy some coffee, tea or a so-called ‘Greenlandic coffee’. There will also be hot chocolate for the children.

NO ARTIFICIAL LIGHT IN THE NIGHT SKY OVER KANGERLUSSUAQ

On cloudless nights, Kangerlussuaq often has the most beautiful Northern Lights for you to experience.

You will be heading out into the wilderness where there is no artificial light and where nature will often put on a magnificent display.

You will then head back for a cosy gathering. Your guide will tell you about the Northern Lights and the many Greenlandic myths that the Northern Lights have inspired through the ages. You will also be served a tasty cup of ‘Greenlandic coffee’.

THE NORTHERN DAWN

Did you know that “Aurora Borealis” is the magical sounding Latin name for the celestial phenomenon of the Northern Lights, and that it was the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) who first used the term which best translates as “The Northern dawn”?

If you go on a winter holiday in Greenland, you will very likely get to see the Northern Lights no matter where you are in the country.

This article is written in corporation with Greenland Travel and Air Greenland.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Natural Experiences
  • Northern Lights
  • Winter

By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Icecampers. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

9 tips for your East Greenlandic adventure

Unlock East Greenland's Travel Tips! Where time slows, nature whispers, and adventure awaits. Anna, a local resident, shares her 9 tips.

  • #Anytime
  • #Arctic Wildlife
  • #Boat Tours
  • #Camping
  • #East Greenland
  • #Greenlandic Gastronomy
  • #Hiking
  • #Hunting
  • #Icebergs
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Midnight Sun
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Weather
  • #Winter
Aurora Cabins 3. Photo by Hotel Arctic

15 Unique places you can overnight in Greenland

Discover Greenland's Diverse Range of Unique Overnight Options: Glass Igloos, Beachfront Stays, Snow Igloos, and Glacier-View Huts.

  • #Accommodation
  • #All Accommodations
  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Camping
  • #Camping
  • #Capital Region
  • #Coastal Ferry
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Destination Arctic Circle
  • #Disko Bay
  • #East Greenland
  • #Glaciers
  • #Hiking
  • #Hostel
  • #Hotel
  • #Icebergs
  • #Igaliku
  • #Ilimanaq
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Ilulissat Icefjord
  • #Kangerlussuaq
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #North Greenland
  • #Northern Lights
  • #Nuuk
  • #Other accommodation
  • #Providers
  • #Qeqertarsuaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #South Greenland
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #The Ice Sheet
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
A hunter trying to catch a little auk with a net on stone hill near Siorapaluk. Photo by Insuk - Visit Greenland

Discover Siorapaluk: Greenland’s northernmost settlement and the traditional delicacy Kiviaq

Experience Siorapaluk, Greenland's northernmost settlement. Witness Kiviaq-making and savor a North Greenlandic delicacy.

  • #Arctic Wildlife
  • #Birdwatching
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Greenlandic Gastronomy
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #North Greenland
  • #Qaanaaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Siorapaluk
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Wooden path towards the icefjord. Photo by Ívar Eyþórssony - Visit Greenland

Top 5 Experiences in Ilulissat in 2023

Michelin food, beautiful hotel stays and award-winning architecture come to mind when you think of Greenland? Perhaps not, but it should!

  • #Boat Tours
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Disko Bay
  • #Gastronomy
  • #Glaciers
  • #Greenlandic Gastronomy
  • #Hiking
  • #Icebergs
  • #Ilimanaq
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Ilulissat Icefjord
  • #Midnight Sun
  • #Natural Expereinces
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #North Greenland
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
More related articles
Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 20

info@visitgreenland.com
Copyright Visit Greenland 2023 © Produced by KathArt Interactive
Scroll to top