Up Helly Aa

Origins and history

The modern festival replaced an older practice called tar barrelling. Young men previously dragged burning barrels through towns during Christmas and New Year. This activity often caused public safety concerns and drunkenness. After the Napoleonic Wars, boredom among returning soldiers contributed to the rowdy traditions. Local leaders sought to channel this energy into something more constructive. They drew inspiration from Shetland's Viking heritage. The first torch procession occurred in 1876. The inaugural Up Helly Aa took place in 1881. A replica galley was first burned in 1889. The name derives from Upholiday, meaning Twelfth Day.

How it is kept

Squads of participants known as guizers form the core of the celebration. Each squad wears a costume and carries torches. They march through the streets in an illuminated procession. The event culminates in the burning of a replica Viking longship. In Lerwick, up to one thousand guizers participate. Smaller rural communities hold their own versions with fewer people. After the procession, squads visit local halls for parties. They perform skits, sing, or dance. These performances often parody popular culture or local events. The leader of each squad is called the Jarl.

Modern changes

Participation rules have evolved over time. Historically, only men could join the main Lerwick procession. Women marched in disguise as early as 1901. By 2015, the South Mainland festival appointed a female Jarl. Restrictions on women in Lerwick squads were lifted in 2023. Other changes include banning blackface costumes in 2020. The role of the Jarl requires election to a committee for fifteen years first. Only one person holds this honorary title per year. The festival now occurs at eleven specific locations across the islands.

Meaning and names

The phrase Up Helly Aa translates to 'Up Holy All'. The word up signifies something coming to an end. It originates from the Old Norse term uppi. Helly refers to a holy day or festival period. This likely stems from the Old Norse helgr. The suffix aa means all. Together, the name marks the conclusion of the festive season. The tradition reflects a shift from chaotic winter antics to organized cultural commemoration. It honors the archipelago's historical ties to Norse seafarers while fostering community spirit.

How Up Helly Aa is kept

Guizers dress in costumes and carry torches. They march in a torchlit procession through town streets. The parade ends with the burning of a replica Viking galley. Afterward, squads attend private parties in local halls. They perform acts such as singing, dancing, or skits. The leader of each group is known as the Jarl. The largest gathering happens in Lerwick with many participants. Rural areas hold smaller versions of the event.

When and where

The main festival occurs on the last Tuesday of January. Additional celebrations take place between January and March across various Shetland communities. The date follows the traditional calendar marking the end of the Yule season.

The custom is kept in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. The largest event is held in the capital city of Lerwick. Other locations include Uyeasound, Scalloway, Nesting, Girlsta, Northmavine, Bressay, Cullivoe, Norwick, Waas, and the South Mainland.

What Up Helly Aa means

The festival symbolizes the end of the winter Yule season. It replaces older, potentially dangerous practices like dragging burning tar barrels. The Viking theme connects modern residents to their Norse ancestry. The burning of the galley represents a ceremonial closure of the festive period. It transforms past mischief into structured community entertainment.

Days Up Helly Aa is marked

Up Helly Aa dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

Questions people ask about Up Helly Aa

See also

Valentine's DayA Christian feast day and cultural celebration of love kept on February 14 in many countries.Glastonbury FestivalA five-day summer performing arts festival held on Somerset farmlandApril Fools' DayAn annual day of lighthearted pranks, hoaxes and teasing kept on the first of AprilNational Eisteddfod of WalesAn annual week-long festival of Welsh music, poetry and culture held across different locations in Wales.

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• Blackface 'will not be tolerated' at Up Helly Aa festivalBBC, Article
• Up Helly Aa: The songwriter who introduced Vikings to Shetland's fire festivalBBC, Article
• Blackface 'will not be tolerated' at Up Helly Aa festivalBBC, Article
• Up Helly Aa: The songwriter who introduced Vikings to Shetland's fire festivalBBC, Article

• Up Helly Aa on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.