Summary

  • Up Helly Aa - the biggest fire festival in Europe - is held on the last Tuesday in January in Shetland

  • The spectacular annual event in Lerwick sees people celebrate Norse heritage

  • The celebrations culminate in a torchlit procession and the burning of a replica Viking galley

  • You can watch live footage, with commentary, by pressing watch live at the top of the page

Live Reporting

  1. Welcome to Up Helly Aa 2025

    The Jarl Squad set light to the galley in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles during the Up Helly Aa fire festival. Originating in the 1880s, the festival celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage. Picture date: Tuesday January 30, 2024.PA Media

    Welcome to our coverage of the spectacular Up Helly Aa.

    The annual event celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage, on the last Tuesday in January in Lerwick.

    The celebrations will culminate in the burning of a replica Viking galley tonight.

    From 19:00 GMT you can watch the fire festival by pressing WATCH LIVE at the top of this page.