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.
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.
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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Adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Loves bikes. Calls Shetland home.
Hannah Wood says
Oh my lord I did not ever know they did festivals like this they look amazing.
Sarah Bailey says
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
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I have never heard of this before, but I saw your photos on Facebook and it looks amazing. I am terrified of fire though.
Tara | C&CO. says
Wow, I had no idea this was a thing! Looks very interesting.
Rebecca Smith says
What a fascinating festival – looks like an amazing thing to experience
Camilla says
What a wonderful event, you really are lucky to live in Shetland:-)
Sally - My Custard Pie says
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.
Jessica says
This festival sounds so interesting and unique. I’d love to go one day.
Amanda says
This looks like so much fun! Adding it to my bucket list! 🙂
Laura says
This looks awesome. Something different and good to meet up with people I reckon.
Lucy Melissa Smith (Hello Beautiful Bear) says
I’ve never heard of this before but it looks brilliant and full of tradition. Fabulous photos! X
Lisa (Travel Loving Family) says
My sons would love this! What a fun, entertaining history lesson for youngsters to learn about the vikings!
Ickle Pickle says
Oh wow – I have never heard of this festival – it looks absolutely amazing! You live in a fascinating part of the world. Kaz x
Zoë IKIWN says
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
Laura Hartley says
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 >.<
Umber Phoenix *My Make Up Life* says
iv always wanted to go see this and take it in. i love the images and the idea behind it.
Fashion and Style Police says
This looks amazing. First time I am hearing of a fire festival.
Emma T says
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!
Becky, Cuddle Fairy says
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
Jessica says
Never heard of this festival but looks very interesting. Will definitely check this out. 😉
Emily Underworld says
Oh wow, I’ve never heard of this, but it looks awesome!
Emily from http://emilyunderworld.co.uk
Miranda (Anosa) says
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
Elizabeth @ Rosalilium says
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.
Michelle Murray says
wow! I have never heard or seen anything like this ever. It looks amazing.
Tracey says
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 🙂
Charlotte Braithwaite says
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
Eve Redmond says
Looks amazing! I love festivals so much, the atmosphere is incredible x
Idaintyit says
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
Ana De- Jesus says
This looks like a fantastic festival and I love that there is a cultural influence behind the celebration. I bet you would go again?
Renna says
This looks like so much fun. I’ve never heard of it but I wish I had. Thanks for sharing.
Life as Mum says
I’ve never heard of this festival before looks absolutely amazing though and you’ve captured some great photos.
Sarah says
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
Emma White says
oh my this looks like an amazing celebration have never heared about it before
Anca says
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.
Angela at Daysinbed says
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
Rhian Westbury says
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
Leanne says
This looks amazing. I’d love to see something like this!