Greenland: Uummannaq, Away for the Holidays - Sled Dogs, Santa Claus Mountain, and Family Fun. 
Winter festivities and holiday celebrations in Greenland are so different and interesting that you may want to take a look. From dog-sledding, snowmobiling, or skiing across the undisturbed snow to enjoying the warmth of a traditional Kaffemik (a coffee party), guests in Greenland are guaranteed the winter experience of a lifetime.
Our contacts in Greenland have provided a short list of vacation ideas to inspire planning. Naturally we also have our own reasons to suggest a family holiday on Greenland – the world’s largest island. Anytime of year go for the awesome night sky but during the winter evenings, the Northern Lights dance across the sky with colourful curtains of light, the snow creaks underfooot as if giving directions or telling a story,with each step, and the hot chocolate is more scrumptios than anywhere else on earth. This is the place for those who lenjoy winter, snow, and love the night - teens and other night owls.
Remember the first Sunday in Advent. The festival of the first Sunday in Advent is almost as big as Christmas. Greenlanders celebrate in traditional Greenlandic style, not with eggnog, but with delicious coffee, and they share the gift of song with their loved ones around a driftwood-and-heather Christmas tree. In the morning, they wander from home to home serenading each other. At 10 a.m. the church service begins, and almost everyone attends, many wearing Greenlandic national clothes. After the service, the members of the congregation invite each other to coffee. Like the singing, coffee is an essential ingredient at any Greenland festivity.
Did you know Santa Claus Lives in Greenland? Everyone knows Santa Claus lives near the North Pole, but did you know he actually resides in a secret castle on top of Santa Claus Mountain in Uummannaq, Greenland? Here, he works with his magical toy machine and tiny elf helpers to ensure all the good children of the world receive their reward come Christmas Day. However, even Santa needs a day off. A sled drawn by 12 sled dogs, named after the 12 months of the year, draws Santa throughout the towering mountains. Visitors can learn to dog-sled just like Santa – racing across the snow, laughter trailing in the pristine Greenlandic air.
Find out how to reach Santa Claus from Home. Have a special request for Santa? Simply address a letter to Santa Claus, North Pole, Greenland, and the letter will end up in the world’s largest mailbox in Nuuk, the capitol city of Greenland . Every year, thousands of children from around the world write to Santa, filling up the giant red mailbox with letters, candy and trinkets. Letters are emptied on Christmas Eve, and if you’ve been good this year, your wish will come true!
Celebrate the new year in Greenland. Greenlanders rejoice with twice the fun on the New Year! New Year’s Day is actually celebrated twice in Greenland – the Danish New Year at 8 p.m. (because of the 4-hour time difference) and the Greenlandic New Year at midnight. Both festivities are celebrated with the sharing good food, singing and champagne. At midnight, fireworks illuminate the clear night sky and highlight the breathtaking snow-covered mountains.
Enjoy the Return of the Sun. On January 13th, after months of winter darkness in North Greenland, the return of the sun is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm. Families get together and raise their voices in song in praise of the sun. Cakes and snacks, along with the ever-present coffee, are served in towns across North Greenland.
At this time of year, Greenland can be reached via a flight to Copenhagen, Denmark connecting with Air Greenland to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. For more information about Greenland, visit
www.greenland.com,
www.airgreenland.com or
www.greenlandexpo.com.
Content and images provided by Greenland Tourism, comments by FTF staff. Copyright 2008.
