The Latest Breaking News from Up Helly Aa

In Pictures: Burning galley provides fitting climax to Up Helly Aa revelry

The celebration of all things Viking culminated in a harbour blaze at the Shetland festival.

Evening Standard · Jan 27

Crowds gather in Shetland for Up Helly Aa fire festival

The festival dates to the 19th century.

The Independent UK · Jan 27

‘It’s bigger than Hogmanay’: Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Viking fire festival

The raucous celebration of the new year and the islands’ Nordic heritage culminates in the ritual burning of a longship – and much drinking

The Guardian - UK · Dec 31, 2025

Shetlanders explain the Up Helly Aa tradition – in their native Shaetlan language

THE I Hear Dee language project was formed to protect and promote the Shaetlan language, a variant of Scots native to the archipelago. The project…

The National (Scotland) · Jan 31, 2023

Shetland prepares for largest Up Helly Aa with women to participate for first time

THOUSANDS of people are gathering for the main Up Helly Aa fire festival in Shetland, with women set to take part in the squads for the first time.

The National (Scotland) · Jan 31, 2023

Shetland set for Up Helly Aa festival with women in squads for first time

The event is traditionally held on the last Tuesday in January.

The Independent UK · Jan 31, 2023

Lonely Planet names Shetland’s Up Helly Aa as one of the world’s best annual events

The new book by Lonely Planet highlights not only where to go, but why and how, creating the ultimate trip planner for the year.

Daily Record · Oct 21, 2022

Women will ‘transform’ Shetland fire festival culture, campaigner says

THE long awaited inclusion of women in Shetland’s Up Helly Aa will “transform” the culture of the festival, a feminist campaigner has said.

The National (Scotland) · Jun 26, 2022

Shetland’s largest Up Helly Aa lifts ban on female participants

Organisers of Viking fire festival in Lerwick had long resisted calls to drop males-only rule

The Guardian - UK · Jun 22, 2022

Shetland's Up Helly Aa Viking festival squads finally open to women

WOMEN will be able to take part in squads at the main Up Helly Aa fire festival in Shetland for the first time next year, organisers have announced.

The National (Scotland) · Jun 22, 2022