Up Helly Aa – Viking Fire Festival

Up Helly Aa is a spectacular, annual Viking-themed fire festival held primarily to mark the end of the winter season (Yule). While rooted in older traditions, the modern event is a brilliant 24-hour celebration of the islands’ Norse heritage, culminating in the evening with its most famous attractions. These include the massive Torchlit Procession of up to a thousand costumed participants (called “guizers”) and the dramatic finale: the burning of a replica Viking longship (or “galley”) as the torches are hurled into it. The entire event is led by the magnificently-costumed Guizer Jarl (Chief Viking), and the ensuing night of feasting, dancing, and performances in community halls is a key part of the local experience.