Lerwick Up Helly Aa 2023 highlights

Lerwick Up Helly Aa is the biggest fire festival in Europe and made a much anticipated and spectacular return on 31 January 2023 after a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic.

The festival was led by the Guizer Jarl (Chief Viking) Neil Moncrieff and his squad of Vikings who were joined by around 1,000 guizers in fancy dress. After parading through the streets of Lerwick with flaming torches, the fiery procession culminated in a ceremonial burning of the Viking longship (galley).

Find out more about Shetland's Fire Festival Season and watch the recorded livestream of Lerwick Up Helly Aa 2023.