Up Helly Aa
Festival that celebrates the Shetland Islands' Viking heritage in the UK's northernmost town. Europe's largest fire festival.
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Contact:
Shetland IslandsLerwick
United Kingdom
On the last Tuesday of January each year (Old Yule) 1000 local islanders ('Guizers') dress up as Vikings, take part in a series of marches and visitations, culminating in a torch-lit procession and the burning of a Viking galley ship. The rest of the night (and most of the morning) is then filled with performing and dancing acts in halls.
Months spent building Viking galley ship, making costumes and growing shaggy beards.
Nicknamed 'Transvestite Tuesday'
Summer visito
















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