Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland, UK Video Recording Date/Time 28, 2025 Shetland celebrated its famous Up Helly Aa fire festival, honoring its Norse heritage, on Tuesday, January 28. The event featured a torchlit procession and the ceremonial burning of a Viking longship.

Up Helly Aa echoes the long rule of the Kingdom of Norway over Shetland and the return of the sun following the darkest winter days.

The streets of Lerwick are once again filled with fire and smoke as Shetland holds its world famous Up Helly Aa fire festival. The event, which is traditionally held on the last Tuesday of January, celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage.

Residents of Shetland in the UK celebrate their Viking heritage at the Up Helly Aa fire festival, held in Lerwick. View on euronews

THOUSANDS of Shetland islanders took to the streets last night for the spectacular Up Helly Aa fire festival. The traditional event celebrates the island’s Norse heritage and is annually

Shetland has once again celebrated its annual fire festival - the largest of its kind in Europe. Up Helly Aa has been held for over 140 years in Lerwick to celebrate Shetland's Norse heritage. Women and girls made history last year when they joined the main "squad" at the head of the procession for the first time.