Season by season
Late winter (February–April). The sun is back, the cold is dry and the ice is firm: the season for dog sledding, snowmobiling, skiing and northern lights. Boats are limited by sea ice.
Spring (May–early June). The ice breaks up, days become endless and the first boats run. A quiet time with unpredictable sailing conditions.
Summer (mid-June–August). Midnight sun from about 21 May to 24 July, open water, whales among the bergs and all excursions running. The busiest and most expensive period. Mosquitoes can be fierce inland in July.
Autumn and polar night (September–January). September brings autumn colours, dark nights and aurora with boats still sailing. From late November to mid-January the sun does not rise in Ilulissat.
Month-by-month
| Month | Avg. high | Avg. low | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -9°C / 16°F | -17°C / 1°F | Quiet |
| February | -10°C / 14°F | -18°C / 0°F | Moderate |
| March | -10°C / 14°F | -18°C / 0°F | Busy |
| April | -4°C / 25°F | -12°C / 10°F | Busy |
| May | 3°C / 37°F | -3°C / 27°F | Moderate |
| June | 8°C / 46°F | 2°C / 36°F | Busy |
| July | 11°C / 52°F | 4°C / 39°F | Peak |
| August | 9°C / 48°F | 3°C / 37°F | Peak |
| September | 4°C / 39°F | -1°C / 30°F | Busy |
| October | -1°C / 30°F | -6°C / 21°F | Quiet |
| November | -4°C / 25°F | -10°C / 14°F | Quiet |
| December | -7°C / 19°F | -14°C / 7°F | Quiet |
Figures for: Ilulissat. Temperatures are rounded long-term averages for the place named above; real days vary widely, and wind makes it feel much colder. Crowd levels are our own estimate.
Events & festivals
- Around 13 January: Ilulissat welcomes the first sunrise after the polar night
- March–April: Dog-sled races in the towns of Disko Bay
- April: Arctic Palerfik, a community dog-sled outing from Ilulissat
- 21 June: Greenland’s National Day, with flags, song and kaffemik everywhere
- 21 May–24 July (approx.): Midnight sun in Ilulissat
