Up Helly Aa is the biggest of the fire festivals that take place in the winter months in Shetland. This Viking themed fire festival takes place in Lerwick on the last Tuesday of January.
The day involves a series of marches and visitations and in the evening is the most famous part – the torch-lit procession and Galley burning.
At 18:50, the participants, known as Guizers (because they are in disguise), will gather to receive their torches. On the stroke of 19:30, a rocket fired into the sky is the signal for them to light up their torches. Then the blazing procession begins, with almost a thousand people marching, led by a large squad of Vikings; the Jarl Squad.
The Jarl Squad march, pulling a Viking Galley with their leader – the Guizer Jarl – standing on top. When the Galley reaches the burning site, the torchbearers form a circle round it and sing the traditional Up Helly Aa song. Another rocket is fired and the Guizer Jarl leaves the ship. A bugle call sounds, and the torches are hurled into the galley!
The burning galley and the flames in the January winds are quite a sight to see.
The live stream of Lerwick Up Helly Aa 2025 can be viewed on the NorthLink Ferries Facebook page.
Dates for all Shetland Fire festivals are as follows –
