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Up Helly Aa – Europe’s Largest Fire Festival

Published on February 1, 2016 by Elizabeth 39 Comments
Last Updated on November 28, 2017

Up Helly Aa - Europe's Largest Fire Festival

Just imagine it – a grand replica Viking galley, a squad of big burly bearded axe-wielding men and a procession of nearly 1000 individuals with torches parading through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland. This is followed by singing The Norseman’s Home, a dramatic burning of the galley and then an all-night party in the local halls.

The smell of smoke and pitch is thick and there is an air of primal excitement.

The annual Up Helly Aa celebration began in the 1880’s and is held every year on the last Tuesday in January, and it signifies the return of the light.

There is no postponement for weather.

Up Helly Aa - Europe's Largest Fire Festival

If I’m to be honest, this usually means I live stream the celebrations from the comfort of my living room via 60 North TV. Let’s face it, at the end of January in Shetland the weather is usually rubbish!

The Norse gods smiled upon us this year though, for despite a drizzly dreary start the heavens cleared, the wind died down and the heavens sparkled. We paid for it with Storm Gertrude and then Storm Henry, but hey-ho, this is the middle of the North Sea after all.

I am one of the main contributors to Promote Shetland’s Shetland.org blogs and you can read all about my own personal account of Up Helly Aa this year over there, including some rather interesting photographs of the squads who entertained us in the halls afterwards.

In the meantime, here are a few of the best photos I took that night.

Up Helly Aa - Europe's Largest Fire Festival

Up Helly Aa - Europe's Largest Fire Festival

Up Helly Aa - Europe's Largest Fire Festival

Up Helly Aa - Europe's Largest Fire Festival

To find out more about Up Helly Aa visit the official website.

Have you heard of our festival? Did you see it on the news this year? Is it on your bucket list of things to do? Let me know in the comments!

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Filed Under: Adventure, Shetland Tagged With: Up Helly Aa, Vikings

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Comments

  1. Hannah Wood says

    March 20, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Oh my lord I did not ever know they did festivals like this they look amazing.

    Reply
  2. Sarah Bailey says

    February 23, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    Oh wow I’ve not heard of this before but it sounds like an absolutely amazing experience! I would love to go one day. x
    Sarah Bailey recently posted…Send a Box for Mother’s DayMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    February 23, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    I have never heard of this before, but I saw your photos on Facebook and it looks amazing. I am terrified of fire though.
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on How To Bake Sweet Potato Fries by Rhian WestburyMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Tara | C&CO. says

    February 12, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    Wow, I had no idea this was a thing! Looks very interesting.

    Reply
  5. Rebecca Smith says

    February 12, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    What a fascinating festival – looks like an amazing thing to experience
    Rebecca Smith recently posted…Date Night With Adnams Prosecco Treviso | Valentines Gift IdeaMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Camilla says

    February 9, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    What a wonderful event, you really are lucky to live in Shetland:-)
    Camilla recently posted…Comment on Monster Pancakes by CamillaMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Sally - My Custard Pie says

    February 7, 2016 at 7:31 am

    It makes me want to brave the weather and come and join in next year. Such a rare and raw experience. Your pics are fantastic.
    Sally – My Custard Pie recently posted…Let’s talk – about the last 6 years!My Profile

    Reply
  8. Jessica says

    February 4, 2016 at 9:26 pm

    This festival sounds so interesting and unique. I’d love to go one day.
    Jessica recently posted…Romantic UK Valentine’s Day BreaksMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Amanda says

    February 4, 2016 at 7:46 am

    This looks like so much fun! Adding it to my bucket list! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Laura says

    February 4, 2016 at 12:47 am

    This looks awesome. Something different and good to meet up with people I reckon.
    Laura recently posted…Weekly Roundup #6My Profile

    Reply
  11. Lucy Melissa Smith (Hello Beautiful Bear) says

    February 4, 2016 at 12:36 am

    I’ve never heard of this before but it looks brilliant and full of tradition. Fabulous photos! X
    Lucy Melissa Smith (Hello Beautiful Bear) recently posted…Birth Announcements: Premature, Stolen or Just Plain Complicated…My Profile

    Reply
  12. Lisa (Travel Loving Family) says

    February 3, 2016 at 11:58 pm

    My sons would love this! What a fun, entertaining history lesson for youngsters to learn about the vikings!
    Lisa (Travel Loving Family) recently posted…Travel Loving Family’s guide to AntiguaMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Ickle Pickle says

    February 3, 2016 at 10:11 pm

    Oh wow – I have never heard of this festival – it looks absolutely amazing! You live in a fascinating part of the world. Kaz x
    Ickle Pickle recently posted…Five Great Parks in LondonMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Zoë IKIWN says

    February 3, 2016 at 9:11 pm

    Oh my word, I had no idea about this festival but it looks like exactly my sort of thing. Fire festivals are really exciting, this might have just bagged itself a spot on my travel list, thank you so much for writing about it 🙂 x
    Zoë IKIWN recently posted…5 Fashion Rules That Are No Longer My ProblemMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Laura Hartley says

    February 3, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    Wow I’ve never seen anything like this before!!! Amazing photos of the fire, looks like quite the occasion! The end of January sounds like the worst time for a celebration though >.<
    Laura Hartley recently posted…BOOK REVIEW: RESTLESS BY WILLIAM BOYDMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Umber Phoenix *My Make Up Life* says

    February 3, 2016 at 11:08 am

    iv always wanted to go see this and take it in. i love the images and the idea behind it.
    Umber Phoenix *My Make Up Life* recently posted…Weightloss Update 3My Profile

    Reply
  17. Fashion and Style Police says

    February 3, 2016 at 10:33 am

    This looks amazing. First time I am hearing of a fire festival.
    Fashion and Style Police recently posted…My Laser Hair Removal Journey: The Third SessionMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Emma T says

    February 3, 2016 at 10:30 am

    Wow, it looks like a great historical local event to get involved with. We don’t have anything like this – the nearest thing is the Sealed knot civil war reenactments, but they don’t involve night or bonfires!
    Emma T recently posted…Living Arrows 2016 week 5 – stripesMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Becky, Cuddle Fairy says

    February 3, 2016 at 10:01 am

    I’ve never heard of this festival but it looks so cool! The huge fire is amazing! That’s fantastic that the weather was good for it. Looks like there was a big crowd enjoying the festivities. x

    Reply
  20. Jessica says

    February 3, 2016 at 7:44 am

    Never heard of this festival but looks very interesting. Will definitely check this out. 😉

    Reply
  21. Emily Underworld says

    February 3, 2016 at 2:24 am

    Oh wow, I’ve never heard of this, but it looks awesome!
    Emily from http://emilyunderworld.co.uk

    Reply
  22. Miranda (Anosa) says

    February 3, 2016 at 12:20 am

    I didn’t know there was such a thing as a fire festival but I am loving the history about it and definitely would love to attend one year

    Reply
  23. Elizabeth @ Rosalilium says

    February 2, 2016 at 11:32 pm

    Yes! I have heard of this festival. In fact, I included it on my travel blog as one of the top things to do in the UK. I’d love to visit some day.
    Elizabeth @ Rosalilium recently posted…Video: Skiing in the AlpsMy Profile

    Reply
  24. Michelle Murray says

    February 2, 2016 at 11:13 pm

    wow! I have never heard or seen anything like this ever. It looks amazing.
    Michelle Murray recently posted…Baby Born Wonderland Interactive Doll GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
  25. Tracey says

    February 2, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    That looks amazing, I’d love to go to a festival like this one. Great photos, off to have a nosy on the other websites you linked to 🙂

    Reply
  26. Charlotte Braithwaite says

    February 2, 2016 at 10:01 pm

    Fire festival!!! Ive never heard of this 😀
    SOUNDS AMAZING! I would love to experience this once in my life.
    Thanks for sharing hun
    Charlotte x
    Charlotte Braithwaite recently posted…Little Green Radicals – Meadow Green Sherpa Lined Fisherman JacketMy Profile

    Reply
  27. Eve Redmond says

    February 2, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    Looks amazing! I love festivals so much, the atmosphere is incredible x

    Reply
  28. Idaintyit says

    February 2, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    I have never heard of a festival of fire before. The most i have ever been to is a bonfire. This looks lovely, i love the fireworks
    Idaintyit recently posted…Postnatal Depression ~ My ExperienceMy Profile

    Reply
  29. Ana De- Jesus says

    February 2, 2016 at 7:39 pm

    This looks like a fantastic festival and I love that there is a cultural influence behind the celebration. I bet you would go again?
    Ana De- Jesus recently posted…Time Travel: Reliving The 70’sMy Profile

    Reply
  30. Renna says

    February 2, 2016 at 7:15 pm

    This looks like so much fun. I’ve never heard of it but I wish I had. Thanks for sharing.
    Renna recently posted…BikyBiky UK – Cycling without Stabilisers made Safe & EasyMy Profile

    Reply
  31. Life as Mum says

    February 2, 2016 at 4:04 pm

    I’ve never heard of this festival before looks absolutely amazing though and you’ve captured some great photos.
    Life as Mum recently posted…BusyB Pregnancy Journal ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  32. Sarah says

    February 2, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    Wow, I’ve never heard of this festival before, living hundreds of miles away is probably why but it sounds AMAZING! It looks so lovely and I do love the smell of a good ol’e bonfire. If I lived close by, I’d want to attend. It looks epic. I love the meaning behind it – signifying the return of light. Great post. xx
    Sarah recently posted…Life Lately.My Profile

    Reply
  33. Emma White says

    February 2, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    oh my this looks like an amazing celebration have never heared about it before

    Reply
  34. Anca says

    February 2, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    I didn’t know about this festival, but it sounds amazing. It’s a shame I’m so far away from Shetland, I would have loved to attend.
    Anca recently posted…365 Project – JanuaryMy Profile

    Reply
  35. Angela at Daysinbed says

    February 2, 2016 at 1:13 pm

    I’ve never heard of the festival of fire. I bet it is really warm like bonfire night. Did you enjoy the reanactments/ fire shows? The photos are really great. Angela

    Reply
  36. Rhian Westbury says

    February 2, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    I’ve never heard about anything like this but it looks really fun, and I’m a bit of a pyromaniac with fire and things x
    Rhian Westbury recently posted…Top SEO Tips For Bloggers To Help Increase Your DAMy Profile

    Reply
  37. Leanne says

    February 2, 2016 at 9:23 am

    This looks amazing. I’d love to see something like this!
    Leanne recently posted…LIFE: Best of January 2016My Profile

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Blog Posts of Note - 01 - Looking for the Postman says:
    February 4, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    […] Up Helly Aa : Europe’s Largest Fire Festival – Elizabeths Kitchen Diary […]

    Reply
  2. Up Helly Aa – Europe’s Largest Fire Festival – UK Food and Drink News – Nosh Online says:
    February 2, 2016 at 12:10 am

    […] View Original Article […]

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About Elizabeth

Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, fitness enthusiast, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger. Read More…

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