Greenland celebrates many public holidays in 2025. Each holiday has its own unique traditions and cultural importance. From the happy celebration of New Year’s Day to the solemn (serious) observance of Good Friday, these holidays look into the rich history and culture of this Arctic country.
Whether it’s the National Day parades honoring Greenlandic identity or the festive decorations of Christmas, these holidays are a cherished part of the Greenlandic way of life. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of public holidays in Greenland in 2025. Also, learn about the stories and traditions behind each one.
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Public Holidays In Greenland In 2025
In 2025, there will be 13 public holidays in Greenland. Three of the public holidays fall on weekends. Below is the table that shows the public holidays in Greenland in 2025.
Holiday | Date | Weekday |
New Year’s Day | Jan 01, 2025 | Wednesday |
Epiphany | Jan 06, 2025 | Monday |
Maundy Thursday | Apr 17, 2025 | Thursday |
Good Friday | Apr 18, 2025 | Friday |
Easter Monday | Apr 21, 2025 | Monday |
Great Prayer Day | May 16, 2025 | Friday |
Ascension Day | May 29, 2025 | Thursday |
Whit Monday | Jun 09, 2025 | Monday |
National Day | Jun 21, 2025 | Saturday |
Christmas Eve | Dec 24, 2025 | Wednesday |
Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2025 | Thursday |
Boxing Day | Dec 26, 2025 | Friday |
New Year’s Eve | Dec 31, 2025 | Wednesday |
This is the list of the public holidays in Greenland in 2025. Please find out below the significance, traditions, customs, and dates of these public holidays.
New Year’s Day (January 1st)
New Year’s Day marks the beginning of a new calendar year in Greenland. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and resolutions. Families and friends come together to bid goodbye to the previous year and welcome the new one with open arms.
Traditional Greenlandic dishes are prepared, and gatherings are filled with laughter, music, and hopes for a prosperous year ahead. Many make resolutions to improve various aspects of their lives, such as learning new skills, becoming healthier, or spending more quality time with loved ones.
Epiphany (January 6th)
Epiphany, also known as Helligtrekongersdag (Holy Three Kings’ Day), is a Christian holiday celebrated in Greenland. It celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus, marking the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles.
Families often gather for a festive meal, exchange gifts, and participate in traditional activities like singing carols and decorating homes with evergreen branches and candles. In some communities, children dress up as the three wise men and go door-to-door, singing songs and collecting treats.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Skærtorsdag, is the day before Good Friday and is observed by Christians in Greenland. It marks the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples.
Many Greenlandic churches hold special services on this day, during which the story of the Last Supper is retold, and communion is celebrated. Families may gather for a traditional meal, often including lamb or fish, to symbolize the sacrificial nature of Christ’s death on the cross.
Good Friday
Good Friday, or Langfredag, is a solemn day in Greenland marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Many Greenlandic Christians attend church services to reflect on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice.
Some communities reenact the Passion of Christ through plays or processions. To honor the sad occasion, families may observe a day of fasting or abstinence from certain foods or activities.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday, or Påskemandag, is a public holiday in Greenland, celebrated the day after Easter Sunday. It is a time for families and friends to come together for festive gatherings, often featuring traditional Greenlandic dishes like mattak (whale skin and fat) and Easter eggs. Children engage in egg hunts and outdoor activities, symbolizing the renewal of life and the joy of the resurrection.
Great Prayer Day (Fourth Friday after Easter)
Great Prayer Day, or Store Bededag, is a unique holiday in Greenland, observed on the fourth Friday after Easter. It is a day dedicated to prayer, reflection, and gratitude. Many Greenlandic churches hold special services.
People take time to appreciate the beauty of nature and the blessings in their lives. Families may gather for picnics or outdoor activities, enjoying the spring weather and the company of loved ones.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day, or Kristi Himmelfartsdag, is a Christian holiday celebrated in Greenland. It celebrates the Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven. It is observed on the 40th day after Easter Sunday. Many Greenlandic churches hold special services, and families may gather for festive meals or outdoor activities, symbolizing Christ’s ascent and the hope of eternal life.
Whit Monday
Whit Monday, or Pinsemondag, is a public holiday in Greenland, celebrated the day after Pentecost Sunday. It honors the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus Christ, as defined in the Book of Acts.
Many Greenlandic churches hold special services, and families may gather for picnics or outdoor activities, celebrating the spread of Christianity and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
National Day (June 21st)
National Day, or Flaggdagen, is a significant celebration in Greenland. It marks the country’s unique culture and identity. It is a day filled with pride and joy, where Greenlanders from all walks of life come together to take part in parades, traditional dances, music performances, and sporting events.
The national flag is prominently displayed, and people wear traditional clothing to honor their heritage. It is a time to celebrate the rich history, language, and traditions of the Greenlandic people.
Christmas Day (December 25th)
Christmas Day, or Juledag, is one of the most cherished holidays in Greenland. It is a time for families to come together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Homes are decorated with traditional Greenlandic crafts, and festive meals are prepared.
It often features dishes like mattak (whale skin and blubber) and kiviak (fermented bird). Gift-giving is a significant part of the celebration, and children eagerly await the arrival of Julemanden (the Greenlandic version of Santa Claus). Christmas carols and storytelling add to the joyous atmosphere.
Boxing Day (December 26th)
Boxing Day, or Andendag Jul, is celebrated in Greenland the day after Christmas. It is a time for families to continue their holiday celebrations with gatherings, feasting, and outdoor activities.
In some communities, it is traditional to go hunting or fishing on Boxing Day, as it was historically a day for the wealthy to give gifts or “boxes” to servants and tradespeople. It is a day for relaxation, spending quality time with loved ones, and savoring the holiday spirit.