Up Helly Aa 2026 – fire, folklore and a night to remember

At the heart of the day was the Guizer Jarl and his squad, whose presence shaped the celebrations from the earliest hours through to the evening's final flames.

In 2026, the Guizer Jarl was Lynden Nicolson, the oldest serving Jarl in the festival’s history. At 58 years old, he had also waited longer than anyone before him to reach the role, following 18 years of service on the Up Helly Aa committee. His appointment reflected years of dedication behind the scenes and marked a significant moment in a long involvement with the festival.

From early morning, Lynden led his squad through the streets of Lerwick, beginning at Islesburgh and following the traditional route as crowds gathered along the way. The Jarl’s Squad, made up of friends, family and fellow committee members, marched together throughout the day.

The Jarl's Squad suits

One of the most anticipated moments of Up Helly Aa is the unveiling of the Jarl’s Squad suits, and this year’s designs were bold and distinctive. The suits featured grey tunics and trousers, with red cloaks and black breastplates and gators. A wolf motif ran throughout the design, appearing on cloaks and shields and most noticeably on the helmets, where it became the defining feature of the squad. The axes also reflected the theme, each finished with a detailed wolf claw.

Firelight and finale

As darkness fell, the festival built towards its most recognisable moment. Hundreds of guizers carrying flaming torches formed the procession through Lerwick’s streets, following the Jarl’s Squad and the galley. Despite the wild and wintry weather, thousands of spectators turned out to see the fiery spectacle.

The evening culminated in the burning of the galley, as torches were thrown into the ship and the flames rose into the winter sky. With that, the outdoor celebrations came to an end before festivities continued indoors across the town, with music, dancing and long-standing traditions carrying on into the night.

Up Helly Aa remains one of Shetland’s most important cultural events. While inspired by Norse history, it continues to be shaped by the people who take part – through craftsmanship, commitment and community spirit. From the first march of the morning to the final glow of the fire, Up Helly Aa 2026 offered a powerful reminder of a tradition that evolves each year while remaining firmly rooted in place.

Discover what Up Helly Aa means to communities across Shetland – check out our blog post and film about the feast, the dance, the song.