Ullortuneq (June 21st) is the national day of Greenland — the name means "The Longest Day." It is celebrated with outdoor meals, music, cultural events, and the raising of the Greenlandic flag (the Erfalasorput, a red-and-white design introduced in 1985). It is the most important civic holiday of the year.
The return of the sun after the polar winter is marked across North Greenland, where towns can go months without direct sunlight. In Ilulissat, the community gathers on a hillside around January 13th to watch the sun appear on the horizon for the first time. It is a quiet, genuine local event rather than a tourist occasion.
Easter sees dog-sled races organized in several North Greenlandic towns, drawing competitors from across the region.
In South Greenland, summer brings traditional sheep-farming festivals where communities gather for shearing, racing, and communal meals. These events have roots in both the Inuit and Norse settler traditions of the region.
Music festivals and cultural exhibitions take place in various towns during summer. Nuuk hosts the most organized cultural calendar; check with local tourist offices for current events, as schedules change year to year.