Firelight flickered across the winter sky as thousands gathered in Lerwick for Up Helly Aa, the world-famous fire festival that transforms Scotland’s Shetland Islands into a living tribute to Viking heritage. At the heart of the spectacle, members of the Jarl Squad marched through the town carrying blazing torches before setting a towering replica Viking longship alight in a dramatic ceremonial finale.
Up Helly Aa marks the official end of the Christmas season in Shetland and stands as a powerful symbol of the islands’ Norse roots, which stretch back nearly 500 years. Although its modern form dates to 1881, the festival draws heavily on Viking imagery, mythology, and ritual, celebrating the legacy left by Scandinavian settlers who once ruled the islands.
This year’s procession featured more than 1,000 costumed participants, known as Jarls, dressed in elaborate Viking-inspired armor and helmets. Singing traditional songs and chants, they hauled the longship through Lerwick’s streets, illuminating the night with a river of fire as spectators lined the route.
A historic milestone marked the 2024 celebrations, as women were officially permitted to join the Jarl Squad for the first time. The change signaled a significant cultural shift in what had long been a male-only tradition, reflecting a broader evolution in how heritage and inclusivity coexist in modern Shetland society.
After the longship was set ablaze, flames engulfed the vessel in a striking display of heat and light, drawing cheers from the crowd. The burning of the ship symbolizes both the passing of winter and the respectful farewell to the Viking past, before festivities continue long into the night with music, dancing, and community gatherings.
Today, Up Helly Aa is widely regarded as Europe’s largest fire festival—an unforgettable fusion of history, spectacle, and communal pride that continues to captivate locals and visitors alike.