Up Helly Aa is a yearly Viking festival that takes place in the Shetland Isles (a subarctic archipelago that lies 170 km north of mainland Scotland), on the last Tuesday of January. This epic festival, which has been an annual occurrence since the 1880s, features realistic Viking costumes, group chanting, marches, full-on ship burning, dancing, drinking, more drinking, and more dancing. This event takes place all over Shetland, but the biggest and main one occurs in Lerwick, the capital.
The groups of "Vikings" are known as Jarl Squads, which are led by a Guizer Jarl.
Up Helly Aa is such an important event to the Shetlanders that the Guizer Jarl and his squad begin their preparations in February, so that they are able to put plenty of effort into the production of their fantastic outfits.
In Lerwick, the Jarl squads spend the whole day marching through the town, and eventually they make their way to the waterfront, where they burn a large Viking ship with 1,000 torches.
Once the boat is burning nicely, they all retire to a town hall and drink and party until the sun comes up.
In fact, the day after is a public holiday in order to allow those who joined in the festivities ample time to recover.
This festival is a cherished tradition in the Shetland Isles, which were invaded and colonized by Norse Viking settlers in the 8th century, and was a Norwegian province right up until 1472.
This left its impact on the now Scottish territory, which continues to celebrate its Scandinavian history.
Bonus Video
Sources: uphellyaa and boredpanda
Groove With This Lively Violin Street Performance by Kids
Check out this amazing violin street performance by a young artist that is bound to make you want to groove.
You Have to Listen to This Stunning Andrea Bocelli Song
Andrea Bocelli never ceases to amaze and this performance is no exception.
This Figure Skater Moves SO Smoothly On Ice!
Watch Finnish figure skater Emmi Peltonen perform a jaw-dropping ice skating routine in the frozen Arctic circle.
Wow! Who Knew David Hasselhoff Was Such a Good Singer?
David Hasselhoff is well known for his acting career, but we bet you didn’t know that he also has a pretty good singing voice too! Check it out here!
Joan Baez Mesmerizes the Audience with a Soulful Number
Joan Baez enthralls the Audience With a soulful rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young”.
This Truly is One of the Best Elvis Performances
Enjoy this blast from the past: the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley sings his famous song ‘My Way’ in a 1973 concert.
This Magical Place Looks Like It Was Made for Legends...
This beautiful estate seems to come out of the fogs of legend and fairy-tale.
The World's Most Incredible Toy Train Journeys
Experience the joy of these iconic toy train rides.
10 Breathtaking Landscapes You Will Only Find in Pakistan
Pakistan may not be the first place that comes to mind to travel to. But, here are 10 reasons you need to reconsider.
Cost of Living: How Much Are People Paying for Groceries?
This is what people are paying for food prices around the world.
20 Attractions in Bucharest You Have to See
We have collected 20 of the most recommended for anyone visiting this city, which will show you why it earned the nickname "Paris of Eastern Europe."
This Amazing Salad is Made from Tea Leaves!
Lahpet Thoke is a Burmese dish that’s made from tea leaves! What’s more, it’s super delicious!
Travel Through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Take a tour through two famous American National parks - Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park - all from your own couch.
These Once-Common Home Features Are No Longer Seen Today
These vintage house features were so cool!
Two Weeks of Spanish Magic: The Recommended Itinerary
If you've always wanted to see all that Spain has to offer, this itinerary will make for a true full of opportunities to make good memories!
Fascinating! Never-Before-Seen Images of the Titanic
Explore the Titanic like you've never seen it before with these rare photos.
Have You Seen the Driest Place on Earth? It's Truly Beautiful
The Atacama desert in Chile is the driest place on Earth, averaging less than 1mm rainfall per year. Its unique landscapes are simply stunning to see.
Weird Architecture: 12 Really Unusual Buildings
From a building that sings in the rain to one that looks like a pair of dancers, these weird and wonderful structures are sure to blow your mind.
14 Unforgettable Places One Should Visit in the UK
If all you know about England is London, these 14 incredible locations will surprise you, and possibly awaken your wanderlust...
Perhaps the Most Scenic Train Rides in the World...
Although there are much quicker ways of traveling, using a train is arguably much more picturesque than the others. Here are the 7 most scenic train rides.
Vegas to LA in Less Than 3 Hours?! Yes, It's Happening!
The U.S. is gearing up to build its first high speed railway project.
Take a Virtual Trip to Australia With An Interactive Guide
Australia is an amazing country that leaves many of us in complete awe for a whole variety of reasons. Take an interactive tour of the country.
Eastern Europe's Jaw-Dropping Beauty Needs to Be Seen
Eastern Europe is often associated with poverty and the remnants of Communism, but it's actually quite exotic and beautiful. View these 20 amazing places.
This Man Ran a Marathon Every Single Day of the Year!
Meet Gary McKee, the man who ran 365 marathons in a year!
How to Live a Long and Happy Life According to Japanese
The life expectancy for the common man and woman is very high in Japan. Find out why.
The Most Breathtakingly Beautiful National Parks in Japan
These Japanese national parks will delight all nature enthusiasts.
Dubai As You’ve Never Seen Before in 18 Photos
Dubai is much morte than its stunning scyscrapers. These pictures give us a glimpse of the city as you've never seen before.
These Castle Hotels Will Leave You Feeling Like Royalty!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a Medieval castle? You can experience it for real thanks to these 12 beautiful castle hotels.
Welcome to One of the Most Beautiful French Cities...
Prepare to immerse yourself in all that Montpellier has to offer - discover what sights are truly worth seeing and experiences worth having.
Learn 42 Different Politeness Rules From Around the World!
Here's everything you need to know about the various principles of politeness that exist in different countries. It's both fascinating and a handy travel tool!
15 Summer-Time Festivals to Make You Merry
We are blessed enough to live in a world full of beautiful events and festivals. We've taken the liberty of compiling a definitive list of them for you.
16 Stunning Award-Winning Images from Around the World
Check out the amazing winning images from the iPhone Photography Awards 2023.
Take a Look at Jaipur, a City of Beautiful Architecture
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan- the Land of Kings. Appropriately, the city is full of palaces and forts of immense beauty.
Is This the Worst Travel Destination on the Planet?
Many people seem to think that traveling to Africa is a smart move. Well, I have to strongly disagree, since there are loads of negative things about Africa!
Take a Tour of 10 Beautiful Moroccan Destinations!
Morroco is justifiably called the "Pearl of the Dessert," and thanks to these 10 places shot in 4K you'll soon understand why...
Austria's Lake District Is Gorgeous Beyond Belief!
I have rarely been as stunned as I was when I saw how beautiful Salzkammergut in Austria is. Visit this amazing lake district in Europe.
The Most Unusual Aspects of Life in Germany – 15 Pics
Germany is full of famous and spectacular places. However, these images shoe some of the unique and quirky aspects of life in Germany.
The Incredible Sights and Sites of Salamanca, Spain!
Looking at the most interesting and beautiful parts of Salamanca, Spain
Set Your Eyes on Burano, an Island Bursting with Color
Every corner of Italy has some hidden beauty. Venetian Lagoon island Burano is a gem of an island bursting with colorful houses and tranquil scenery.
Zalipie: The Beautifully Painted Village of Flowers
The small village of Zalipie can be found at a remote area of South Poland. But to those who make the effort to get there the trip is well worth it, because this village contains quite the surprise between its walls...
10 Reasons to Visit Southern Italy's Amalfi Coast
In the following images, you'll get to see the 10 most charming coastal villages and sites that you can find there.
15 Common Geography Facts That Are Actually Wrong!
Here are 15 common errors about the world that often leave geography teachers in tears...
Come Travel in One of the Most Gorgeous Places in Thailand
One of the most recommended places in Thailand is Ko Phi Phi...
9 Magical Scottish Towns We'd Love to Visit
If you are planning a trip to Scotland, here are 9 highly recommended towns to exploreץ
The Magic of New Zealand Cannot Be Denied
The incredible scenery of this place has made it one of the most beautiful sights in the world.
Around the World in 10 Unique New Year's Eve Traditions
Discover the different ways New Year’s Eve is celebrated around the world.