Across the North Atlantic, Christmas unfolds in two very different island worlds: the immense, ice-covered landscapes of Greenland and the green, wind-swept cliffs of the Faroe Islands. Though separated by thousands of kilometres, both places celebrate the season with deep-rooted customs, unmistakable Nordic warmth, and a strong sense of community. From illuminated windows in Nuuk to the lively “Christmas City” of Tórshavn, the festive period reveals how two remote cultures welcome light into the darkest time of year.
Christmas in Greenland: Light in the Arctic Night
Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, almost guarantees a white Christmas. December brings steady snowfall, frost-brightened streets, and calm walks through a frozen landscape framed by mountain peaks. Families in small towns and northern settlements gather for coffee, cakes, and gift-giving — with many presents handmade, from carved model sledges to sealskin mitts or polished walrus tusks. On Christmas Eve, church services fill with people dressed in national costumes: men wearing their white anoraks and women their embroidered traditional garments. Because no trees grow that far north, Christmas trees are imported (usually from Denmark) and decorated on December 23rd with candles, ornaments, and miniature sealskin boots known as kamiks. Some households use driftwood trees adorned with heather and local materials. Nearly every window glows with a bright Moravian star, a tradition brought by missionaries and now a beloved symbol of hope during the long polar night.
In Ilulissat and other towns, villages often place a large communal Christmas tree on a nearby hill, visible from afar throughout Advent. St Lucia’s Day (13 December) is also celebrated, adding another candlelit moment to the season. Greenlandic festive food blends Inuit ingredients with Danish influence: mattak (whale skin with blubber), kiviak (fermented little auks), and suaasat soup made from reindeer, lamb, or seabirds. Danish pastries, cookies, and hot rice porridge complete the feast. After dinner, a charming custom takes place: men pour coffee for the women and stir their meals before lively games begin. Candles are lit in cemeteries to honour loved ones, echoing traditions shared with Finland and Denmark. Greenlanders say “Juullimi Pilluarit” — Merry Christmas — and some even claim that Santa Claus spends his summers in Spraglebugten near Uummannaq. New Year’s Eve brings a double celebration: first at 20:00 when the new year arrives in Denmark, and again at midnight in Greenland, with fireworks illuminating the Arctic sky twice.
Christmas in the Faroe Islands: Cosy Cities and Festive Gatherings
While Greenland celebrates amid deep Arctic winter, the Faroe Islands offer a very different seasonal mood: lively towns, sheltered harbours, and strong community traditions. In December, Tórshavn becomes the heart of the festivities. The country’s largest shopping centre, SMS, builds an elaborate “Christmas City” filled with elves, animals, lights, and ornaments — one of the largest displays of its kind in the Nordic region. Pop-up shops line the streets, offering handmade Faroese decorations, knitwear, jewellery, and art. A downtown ice rink invites families to skate beneath the seasonal lights.
Visitors and locals pause for warm drinks at some of the city’s favourite cafés:
Paname Café, set inside a former bookshop, offers homemade sandwiches and a cosy view onto the main street;
Kaffihúsið, right on the pier, serves thick hot chocolate and Danish pastries;
Brell Café, a curated coffee bar, roasts beans from around the world.
A classic Faroese winter walk leads from Tórshavn over the hill to Kirkjubø, where a medieval church and sweeping views of sea and mountains round off the day.
Christmas Eve (24 December)
By the morning of the 24th, shopping is done and pantries are full. Children wake early, eager for the evening ahead. After afternoon church services, families gather for dinner. The traditional menu varies: fermented fish once dominated Faroese Christmas Eve, but many households now serve roasted lamb ribs, fermented mutton, goose, or duck (a Danish import). Gift-opening — the highlight for every Faroese child — continues long into the evening, with presents arriving not only from family but also from godparents, an important Faroese custom. When children finally fall asleep, adults enjoy coffee, sweets, and perhaps a beer before ending the night under thick wool duvets.
Christmas Day (25 December)
A quiet, family-focused day. After a late morning and a church service — churches are rarely as full as on Christmas Day — families share lunch featuring many of the same dishes from Christmas Eve. Children spend the afternoon playing with their new toys while adults relax.
Second Day of Christmas (26 December)
The 26th is a public holiday and one of the biggest party days of the year. Historically, Faroese people visited many homes in one day, travelling village to village for food, dancing, and company. Certain villages became known as “Christmas villages,” welcoming large crowds for celebrations. Today, dancing and social gatherings remain an essential part of the holiday.
Two North Atlantic Christmases, One Shared Spirit
Despite their contrasting landscapes — Greenland’s vast Arctic wilderness and the Faroe Islands’ green cliffs and soft winter light — both cultures share a deep belief in togetherness during the darkest month. Greenland celebrates with glowing window stars, traditional costumes, and wild Arctic flavours, while the Faroe Islands embrace cosy gatherings, bustling city streets, and cherished family rituals. What unites them is the warmth of community and the enduring Nordic tradition of bringing light into winter.
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