Up Helly Aa: Exploring Scotland’s Fiery Viking Festival
Up Helly Aa is an annual fire festival in Shetland that lights up the long winter with torchlit processions and the burning of a Viking longship.
This wild event marks the end of the Yule season and puts Shetland’s Norse heritage on full display, drawing visitors from all over.
You’ll see a strong sense of community here. Volunteers spend months getting ready, filling Lerwick’s streets with music, costumes, and a contagious sense of celebration.
The main event? The Guizer Jarl and his squad leading the procession, followed by parties and skits that carry on deep into the night.
If you’re curious about Scottish traditions or just want to see how the past still matters today, Up Helly Aa has something unforgettable. Dive into what makes this Shetland festival so unique and why locals hold it close by checking out the official Up Helly Aa site.
Origins and History
Up Helly Aa stands out as one of Shetland’s most famous celebrations. It’s all about torchlit processions and Viking-inspired revelry.
Let’s look at where it started, how it’s changed, and the Norse roots that still shape it.
Early Beginnings
The festival’s roots go back to the 19th century. Before Up Helly Aa, Shetland had different winter customs like “tar barrelling” and rowdy New Year’s parties.
These old traditions were noisy, chaotic, and honestly, a bit dangerous. People would drag burning barrels through Lerwick’s streets until local authorities finally cracked down and banned the practice.
By the 1870s, a bunch of young men in Lerwick wanted a new way to mark the end of Yule. That’s when Up Helly Aa took shape as a formal event, with rules, parades, and a proper programme.
Evolution Over Time
Up Helly Aa started as simple torchlit walks. It quickly grew into a bigger, more organised affair.
Adding a Viking theme gave the festival its signature look. The “Guizer Jarl” leads the procession in full Viking gear, with squads of other costumed participants behind him.
The burning of a Viking-style galley became the showstopper. This tradition really took off in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Now, you get parades, music, and community gatherings every winter in towns and villages across Shetland. The festival’s structure and energy have made it a fixture in the local calendar.
Influence of Norse Culture
Norse heritage runs deep in Up Helly Aa. Shetland’s ties to Scandinavia, stretching back over a thousand years, shape almost every part of the festival.
The Viking theme isn’t just for fun—it’s a nod to Shetland’s past as a Norse stronghold. Participants dress as Vikings, and the galley looks like something straight out of a saga.
All those Norse symbols and traditions give Shetland its unique identity. This focus on heritage links the islands’ history and the festival today, letting you step into a living piece of Norse tradition every year.
Lerwick Up Helly Aa
Lerwick Up Helly Aa takes place every January in Shetland’s capital. It’s famous for its torch-lit parade, Viking themes, and the way locals throw themselves into planning and teamwork.
Significance to the Community
Lerwick Up Helly Aa isn’t just a festival—it’s a community tradition that brings together people of all ages. Thousands help prepare for this massive event.
The festival celebrates Shetland’s history and Viking roots. Daytime parades give way to a torch procession at night, with volunteers dressed as “guizers” leading the way and a replica Viking galley set ablaze at the end.
Families, schools, and local groups all join in. The event creates a sense of pride and unity in Lerwick, organised entirely by islanders.
Visitors flock in, and everyone comes together for a night of celebration and hard work. Want to know more? Check out Shetland’s tourist site about this community event.
Role of the Up Helly Aa Committee
The Up Helly Aa Committee pulls the strings behind Lerwick’s fire festival. It’s all volunteers, handling every detail from parade routes to safety plans.
Committee members oversee costumes, guide the route, and arrange the burning of the galley. Planning starts almost a year in advance, with regular meetings through the winter to keep things on track.
Their dedication keeps the festival running smoothly and safely, year after year. That’s a big reason why Lerwick Up Helly Aa matters so much to the town. Curious about their work? Visit the official committee page.
The Torchlit Procession
The torchlit procession is the heart of Up Helly Aa. It draws big crowds and brings Shetland’s history to life with fire, music, and tradition.
Preparations and Participants
Preparation starts months ahead of time. More than a thousand guizers put together detailed costumes, with the Jarl Squad donning full Viking outfits—helmets, shields, axes, the whole bit.
Kids and adults both join squads. Some even make their own torches—long wooden poles topped with fuel-soaked rags to create those massive flames.
Organisers check lists to be sure everyone knows their role. The squads line up at the starting point, torches lit, ready to march through Lerwick’s streets together.
Evening Procession Highlights
At dusk, the procession kicks off. The Jarl Squad leads, followed by all the guizers, winding through streets packed with cheering crowds.
Thousands show up to watch as the flames light up the night. The replica Viking galley rolls along with the squads, and near the end, everyone circles it.
Each person throws their torch onto the ship—setting it ablaze. It’s a wild, unforgettable sight as flames shoot up, marking the night’s big finale.
The burning of the galley isn’t just for show—it’s a nod to Viking traditions, and it wraps up the evening procession with a bang.
Galley and Burning Ceremony
The replica Viking galley is the festival’s centerpiece. Volunteers build it with serious attention to detail before it goes up in flames at the end of the night.
Design and Construction of the Galley
Every year, a fresh replica Viking longship gets built for the festival. Work usually starts months ahead in a dedicated galley shed.
Builders use lightweight timber frames and cover them with painted canvas to mimic an authentic Norse ship. You’ll spot dragon-headed prows, shields along the sides, and bold, bright designs.
The galley isn’t made to sail—it’s there as the ceremonial centerpiece. Local craftsmen and artists pour their skills into making it look impressive for the procession and all the photos.
Sometimes, old boats get a new life as the galley’s frame, showing Shetland’s deep connection to the sea. Shields, oars, and painted flames finish the look, and the galley stays on display until the burning ceremony. Want to see more? Check out Up Helly Aa’s official site.
Burning of the Viking Galley
The festival’s climax is the burning of the Viking galley. Hundreds of costumed guizers carry flaming torches through the streets to a special burning site.
Once the galley’s in place, torchbearers form a circle around it. The Guizer Jarl and his squad throw their torches onto the galley, and flames quickly take over the longship.
It’s a jaw-dropping sight—fire roaring into the night, marking the end of the festival and honoring Shetland’s Viking past. The burning ceremony echoes old Norse rituals for honoring chieftains. For more on this dramatic tradition, see TouristSecrets and the BBC.
Key Roles and Personas
Key figures give Up Helly Aa its character. Local leaders and squads in costume bring Viking history roaring back to life in Shetland.
Guizer Jarl and the Jarl Squad
The Guizer Jarl leads the charge at Up Helly Aa. Each year, someone new takes on the role, often channeling a legendary Norse figure.
The Jarl wears a detailed Viking outfit—breastplate, helmet, the works. He heads up the Jarl Squad, a team of roughly 60 friends and family members.
This squad follows the Jarl through the day, all in themed costumes, and helps run the show. In 2025, Calum Grains took on the role of King Eystein Magnusson and led his squad through processions and festivities.
The Jarl Squad plays a big part in the torchlit parade and the galley burning—really, they’re the backbone of the festival. Their teamwork and pride keep the tradition alive. Want the story on Calum Grains and his squad? Check out Up Helly Aa 2025.
Post-Procession Festivities
After the torchlit procession and the burning of the Viking galley, celebrations keep going late into the night. Most of the real fun happens indoors, where Shetlanders’ sense of community and tradition really come alive.
Up Helly Aa Parties and Private Events
The night doesn’t wrap up with the outdoor procession. Across Lerwick and other Shetland towns, parties pop up in local halls and private homes. Folks call these gatherings the “halls,” and you might find more than ten happening all at once.
Attendance is often by invitation only, with each hall putting its own spin on the night. Guizer squads, all decked out in themed costumes, make the rounds to different halls. You’ll find food, drinks, and plenty of lively conversation at each stop.
Squads rotate between venues, so every party gets a fresh burst of energy and new performances. If you’re lucky enough to snag an invite to a private party, you’ll get a real taste of Shetland’s hospitality and the festival’s personal side. These parties can keep going well into the early hours—honestly, you might lose track of time.
Songs and Entertainment
Music and singing are at the heart of Up Helly Aa. The traditional Up Helly Aa Song brings everyone together, and it’s usually followed by other local tunes, sung by squads and the crowd alike.
Entertainment takes many forms, from skits and comedy bits to music and dance. Each squad puts on a short, often hilarious performance, usually poking fun at local happenings or people. They spend weeks rehearsing these acts.
People in the halls often join in the choruses or get pulled up to sing along. Fiddles and accordions are everywhere, giving things that unmistakable Shetland feel. If you like vibrant, participatory gatherings, you’ll love the halls—they buzz with music, laughter, and tradition all night long.
Traditions and Modern Developments
Up Helly Aa mixes old Norse customs with new twists. The way people dress, who gets involved, and how the festival adapts all show a balance between tradition and change.
Costuming and Viking Dress
Costuming sits at the core of Up Helly Aa. Guizers wear detailed Viking outfits—think helmets, cloaks, shields, and axes. A lot of these costumes are handmade, sometimes passed down or planned months ahead.
The Guizer Jarl leads the procession, dressed as a legendary Viking. His Jarl Squad wears matching gear that honors Norse legends. When the torch-lit parade winds through town, the sea of costumes really does feel like a step back to the Viking age.
The squad also hauls a replica Viking longship through the streets. They spend months building it, only to set it ablaze later on. The burning galley marks the festival’s end and echoes the legendary send-off of a Norse chieftain. You can dive deeper into these traditions in this Viking-inspired spectacle.
Gender Restrictions and Inclusivity
For a long time, only men could join the Jarl Squads. That meant women and girls missed out on key roles, especially leading as the Guizer Jarl. But things are shifting.
In 2023, women and girls officially joined the Jarl Squads for the first time. This was a big change after years of debate. Since Jarl Squad members are picked years ahead, though, there won’t be a female Jarl until at least 2038.
The change shows the festival’s openness to modern ideas about equality, even as it holds tight to local customs. You can find more about this shift in gender inclusivity.
Influence of the Covid-19 Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted events everywhere, and Up Helly Aa wasn’t spared. The festival got cancelled in 2021 and 2022 because of gathering limits—the first pause in over a hundred years.
Organisers focused on public health and followed government rules. Virtual events and social media updates tried to keep the community connected, even when everyone had to stay home.
When Up Helly Aa came back, safety stayed front and center. Hand sanitisers and crowd management joined the usual traditions. The festival’s ability to adapt proves you can respect both health and heritage, even during tough times.
Junior Up Helly Aa and Educational Impact
Junior Up Helly Aa gets young people involved in local traditions and helps them pick up new skills. The festival introduces teamwork, history, and hands-on learning that goes way beyond the classroom.
Junior Procession and Events
Junior Up Helly Aa started in 1956 to draw kids into Shetland’s fire festival. Every January, children aged 11 to 16 form squads and join as “Peerie Guizers” in the Junior Procession. Over 100 young people from all over Shetland get involved.
The main highlight? The torch-lit Junior Procession, with kids dressed as Vikings, carrying carefully made torches through Lerwick. They build a real wooden galley, or Viking-style ship, and set it alight during the ceremony. Roles like Junior Jarl (chief Viking) and squad member help everyone feel included.
Key elements include:
- Making torches
- Constructing the galley
- Selecting the Junior Jarl
- Participating in the procession
These activities teach planning, teamwork, and a bit of local history. For more on the roots and growth of the Junior Up Helly Aa festival, you can check out their official site.
How To Attend Up Helly Aa
Tickets for Up Helly Aa events in Lerwick are limited, and things can get crowded, so planning ahead is a must. There are a few ways to experience this unique Shetland festival, whether you’re getting your own entry or joining a guided tour.
Private tours to Up Helly Aa
If you want a hassle-free trip, a private tour might be the way to go. Experienced guides handle your travel, accommodation, and festival access, so you don’t have to sweat the details.
Tour Guide Scotland offers a custom private tour from Edinburgh to Shetland for Up Helly Aa. This journey covers travel, tickets to local events, and tips on what to expect at the festival. With logistics sorted, you skip the stress of hunting for tickets or figuring out transport.
A private tour means you’ll see the torchlit procession, community celebrations, and the burning of the galley—the festival’s core moments. For more on this private tour, check out Tour Guide Scotland’s site: private tour from Edinburgh to Shetland for Up Helly Aa.
