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
It was only last year that women and girls took part in the torchlit procession for the first time in its 142-year history
It culminated in a torch-lit procession and the burning of a galley
Image source, PA MediaThe galley burning is the spectacular Up Helly Aa conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed watching Up Helly Aa with us.
The festival has given us some amazing moments this evening, and celebrations in Lerwick will continue into the night.
But this page is now coming to an end. You can read about today's events here.
Thank you for joining us.
Watch: A replica galley is burned for the Shetland fire festival
In case you missed it, here's the moment the Viking galley was set on fire.
Burning torches were thrown onto the replica ship, giving us a striking scene as the flames leapt into the night sky.
Image source, PA MediaThe galley burning is watched by thousands
The crackling of flames can be heard as the Viking galley burns.
But when the fire eventually dies down, the Up Helly Aa party will traditionally continue long into the night.
Image source, .The galley is burning
As a band plays, and amid cheers, the replica Viking galley is set alight.
The spectacular scene is being watch by thousands, either in Lerwick itself or via live streams.
Image source, PA MediaNot all those carrying torches are dressed as Vikings.
Press Play at the top of this page to watch the galley burning.
Image source, PA MediaThe Viking galley is on the move
The replica Viking galley is nearing the burning site.
The Lerwick sky will soon light up with the flames and embers.
Image source, Shetland WebcamTorches are being carried through Lerwick
This view from up high shows the path being taken by the hundreds of torch-holding participants.
The burning of the Viking galley is getting closer.
You can watch by clicking Play at the top of our page.
Torches have been lit
Hundreds of torches have now been lit.
They will snake through the streets of Lerwick.
And you can watch it all here.
Image source, .The procession is under way
As darkness descends, the evening procession is under way.
There are loud cheers and roars.
It will all lead to the burning of the Viking galley. You can watch it all by pressing Play at the top of this page.
Image source, PA MediaYoungsters take part in the Junior Up Helly Aa
The celebrations do not only see adults take part.
Youngsters participate in Junior Up Helly Aa too.
You can watch live coverage of the procession, as the day's celebrations reach their climax, by pressing the Play icon at the top of this page.
If you can't see that play button, please refresh your browser or reload this page on the BBC News app.
Watch: Up Helly Aa in 1927
While we wait for tonight's procession and burning of a replica longship, here's a look back at the festival in 1927 and some rather interesting costumes.
This footage is courtesy of the British Film Institute and the full short film – Old Viking Norse Festival – is available to watch on the BFI Player, external as part of Britain on Film.
But hurry back and don't miss tonight's procession which you can watch live here after 19:00 GMT.
This young child was seen having a nap
BBC Scotland's Huw Williams spotted this young spectator having a nap during the Up Helly Aa celebrations.
The events in Lerwick last from morning until night - and, for many, into the small hours.
So resting up can perhaps be excused.
You can watch live coverage of the fire festival now by pressing the Play icon at the top of this page.
If you can't see the play button, please refresh your browser or reload this page on the BBC News app.
Image source, PA MediaThe main procession is now for women and men
The move to open up the procession to all followed a campaign dating back to the 1980s.
The gender restrictions at the heart of the biggest fire festival in Europe caused heated debate in the local community.
But following talks about how they could take the event forward after the pandemic, the Lerwick Up Helly Aa committee ruled to drop the restrictions.
This year, young women formed part of the lead group - known as the Jarl Squad - wearing full Viking dress.
Image source, PA MediaUp Helly Aa is a truly eye-catching event
As with many such festivals, the origins of Up Helly Aa are somewhat obscure and disparate.
It comes at the time of year when the days start to lengthen a little after the long winter, a point in the year commonly marked in pagan societies.
But it also has roots in 19th Century celebrations centred around Christmas and the new year. These took place in January on the old Julian calendar, which Shetland kept until 1879.
Locals were also said to enjoy rolling barrels of lit tar through the town, a habit banned in 1874. These elements were brought together by 1881, when today's festival is said to have started.
Since then, only world war, the death of a king and the Covid-19 pandemic have stopped the festival from taking place.
In 2024, with women and girls now fully able to take part in the event, it is a new beginning for Up Helly Aa.
Image source, PA MediaViking enjoying some refreshments
It's clearly thirsty work being a Viking.
This picture shows a member of the Jarl Squad enjoying some refreshments as they passed through Lerwick.
It was captured by Andrew Milligan from PA Images.
Ken Banks
BBC Scotland North East and Northern Isles reporter
Image source, PA MediaChief Viking Richard Moar and daughter Jenna
Up Helly Aa - Europe's biggest fire festival - may be a 143-year-old event, but 2024 marks a historic moment for the event.
For the first time, women and girls are now part of the main Viking Squad. It was only last year that females took part in the torchlit procession.
The Guizer Jarl – Up Helly Aa’s chief Viking - is 47-year-old Richard Moar from Lerwick.
And proudly by his side is 16-year-old daughter Jenna.
Women had traditionally been restricted to participating as hostesses - organising the all-night parties that take place in community halls across the Shetland capital.
Ross Cowper-Fraser
BBC Scotland, Shetland
Image source, PA MediaParticipants paraded through Lerwick on Tuesday
A beautifully clear and crisp January morning here in Lerwick greeted Up Helly Aa.
The Guizer Jarl and his 68-strong squad were able to make their way around numerous landmarks and businesses in the town under the bright sky.
As darkness descends, that sky will be filled with burning embers as a replica Viking galley is set alight.
It is paraded through the streets before being burned in front of thousands of locals and tourists, and those around the world watching live video streams.
Image source, PA MediaA replica Viking galley is set on fire each year
Welcome to our coverage of 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.
We'll bring you the latest photos and updates from Lerwick. And from 18:30 GMT you can watch the fire festival live by pressing the Play option at the top of this page.
Stay with us.