Up Helly Aa
LocationScotland (Shetland)
WhenLast Tuesday of January
Attendance5,000+ participants
About Up Helly Aa
Europes largest fire festival. A squad of 1,000 men in Viking costume march through Lerwick. The Guizer Jarl leads the procession in a full Viking longship replica. The ship is ceremonially burned at the end. Celebrates Shetlands Norse heritage. Has been held since the 1880s. No women allowed in the main squad until 2023.