When to go · Ilulissat
Ilulissat in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (dark, cold, limited tours); May and Oct–Nov shoulder weeks when sea ice and weather cancel boats.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- −10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) / −17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 9
- Crowds
- Low
- Greenland overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Greenland overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (dark, cold, limited tours); May and Oct–Nov shoulder weeks when sea ice and weather cancel boats.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- MarchGreatInside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.
- AprilGreatInside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.
- JuneGreatInside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.
- JulyGreatInside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.
Weather in December
- IlulissatHighs around -10 °C (14 °F), lows around -17 °C (1 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 14 °F (-10 °C), lows around 1 °F (-17 °C), rain on about 9 days
- Disko Bay, Greenland · Ilulissat, Qeqertarsuaq, Aasiaatcool
North of the Arctic Circle: midnight sun late May to late July, polar night in December; March–April for sledding with light.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas big impact
24–26 Dec · Greenland
Most things closed; few flights.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Greenland overall
- Low
- Prices · Greenland overall
- Medium
Greenland overall: Polar night in Ilulissat; Christmas at home; limited flights.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ilulissat, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Mar: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: -10 °C (14 °F)14 °F (-10 °C)
Mar: -13 °C (9 °F)9 °F (-13 °C)
Night low
Dec: -17 °C (1 °F)1 °F (-17 °C)
Mar: -21 °C (−6 °F)−6 °F (-21 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 9
Mar: 7 (better)
Crowds
Dec: Low
Mar: Medium
Prices
Dec: Medium
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Mar: 0
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (dark, cold, limited tours); May and Oct–Nov shoulder weeks when sea ice and weather cancel boats.
March: Inside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.
Ilulissat: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket