The galley burning is the spectacular Up Helly Aa conclusionImage caption: The 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: The moment the Viking ship is set alight
Video content
Video caption: Watch: A replica galley is burned for the Shetland fire festivalWatch: 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.
A flaming memorable sight
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
The galley burning is watched by thousandsImage caption: The 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.
Viking galley burns at culmination of procession
.Copyright: .
The galley is burningImage caption: 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.
All sorts of Up Helly Aa disguises
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Not all those carrying torches are dressed as Vikings.
Press Play at the top of this page to watch the galley burning.
The Viking galley's end is nigh
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
The Viking galley is on the moveImage caption: The 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.
S is for snaking through the streets
Shetland WebcamCopyright: Shetland Webcam
Torches are being carried through LerwickImage caption: Torches 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.
The procession torches are now lit
BBCCopyright: BBC
Torches have been litImage caption: 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.
Up Helly Aa evening procession is under way
.Copyright: .
The procession is under wayImage caption: 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.
Something for all ages
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Youngsters take part in the Junior Up Helly AaImage caption: Youngsters 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.
Watch Up Helly Aa procession live
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
Video content
Video caption: Watch: Up Helly Aa in 1927Watch: 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 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.
It's tiring work being a young Viking
BBCCopyright: BBC
This young child was seen having a napImage caption: 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.
Watch Up Helly Aa live
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.
Traditional female restriction finally axed
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
The main procession is now for women and menImage caption: The 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.
It takes something significant to stop Up Helly Aa
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Up Helly Aa is a truly eye-catching eventImage caption: Up 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.
Drink-up Helly Aa
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Viking enjoying some refreshmentsImage caption: Viking 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.
Chief Viking Richard Moar and daughter JennaImage caption: Chief 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.
'A beautifully clear and crisp day for Vikings'
Ross Cowper-Fraser
BBC Scotland, Shetland
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Participants paraded through Lerwick on TuesdayImage caption: Participants 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.
Burning ambition - welcome to Up Helly Aa 2024
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
A replica Viking galley is set on fire each yearImage caption: A 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.
Live Reporting
Ken Banks
All times stated are UK
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media The galley burning is the spectacular Up Helly Aa conclusionImage caption: The galley burning is the spectacular Up Helly Aa conclusion Video caption: Watch: A replica galley is burned for the Shetland fire festivalWatch: A replica galley is burned for the Shetland fire festival 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media The galley burning is watched by thousandsImage caption: The galley burning is watched by thousands 
.Copyright: . The galley is burningImage caption: The galley is burning 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media The Viking galley is on the moveImage caption: The Viking galley is on the move 
Shetland WebcamCopyright: Shetland Webcam Torches are being carried through LerwickImage caption: Torches are being carried through Lerwick 
BBCCopyright: BBC Torches have been litImage caption: Torches have been lit 
.Copyright: . The procession is under wayImage caption: The procession is under way 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Youngsters take part in the Junior Up Helly AaImage caption: Youngsters take part in the Junior Up Helly Aa Video caption: Watch: Up Helly Aa in 1927Watch: Up Helly Aa in 1927 
BBCCopyright: BBC This young child was seen having a napImage caption: This young child was seen having a nap 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media The main procession is now for women and menImage caption: The main procession is now for women and men 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Up Helly Aa is a truly eye-catching eventImage caption: Up Helly Aa is a truly eye-catching event 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Viking enjoying some refreshmentsImage caption: Viking enjoying some refreshments 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Chief Viking Richard Moar and daughter JennaImage caption: Chief Viking Richard Moar and daughter Jenna 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Participants paraded through Lerwick on TuesdayImage caption: Participants paraded through Lerwick on Tuesday 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media A replica Viking galley is set on fire each yearImage caption: A replica Viking galley is set on fire each year
Latest PostThank you and good night
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: The moment the Viking ship is set alight
Video content
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.
A flaming memorable sight
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.
Viking galley burns at culmination of procession
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.
All sorts of Up Helly Aa disguises
Not all those carrying torches are dressed as Vikings.
Press Play at the top of this page to watch the galley burning.
The Viking galley's end is nigh
The replica Viking galley is nearing the burning site.
The Lerwick sky will soon light up with the flames and embers.
S is for snaking through the streets
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.
The procession torches are now lit
Hundreds of torches have now been lit.
They will snake through the streets of Lerwick.
And you can watch it all here.
Up Helly Aa evening 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.
Something for all ages
The celebrations do not only see adults take part.
Youngsters participate in Junior Up Helly Aa too.
Watch Up Helly Aa procession live
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
Video content
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 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.
It's tiring work being a young Viking
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.
Watch Up Helly Aa live
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.
Traditional female restriction finally axed
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.
It takes something significant to stop Up Helly Aa
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.
Drink-up Helly Aa
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.
The 'Moar' the merrier with women in Up Helly Aa
Ken Banks
BBC Scotland North East and Northern Isles reporter
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.
'A beautifully clear and crisp day for Vikings'
Ross Cowper-Fraser
BBC Scotland, Shetland
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.
Burning ambition - welcome to Up Helly Aa 2024
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.