UP HELLY AA
UP HELLY AA ‘25 IPA
To celebrate this exciting event, we have been closely working with Guizer Jarl, Calum Grains and the rest of the Jarl Squad to create a beer especially for Up Helly Aa 2025.
Up Helly Aa ‘25 IPA will be available to purchase on the island and at various local bars, shops and restaurants, as well as our brewery shop.
A small amount of the beer will be able to purchase from our online shop for those who aren’t able to make it to Shetland.
From Grand old Viking centuries Up Helly Aa has come…
Up Helly Aa is a fire festival in Shetland which is famous for locals dressing as Vikings and burning a wooden longship galley with fire lit torches.
The tradition started in the 1880s to mark the end of Yule and is still going very strong today, with a number of different Up Helly Aas now taking part across Shetland. It celebrates Shetland’s Scandinavian history which still plays a part in Shetland’s way of life today.
What Happens During Up Helly Aa?
The festivities are a full-day affair, meticulously organized by the community, with preparations for the next year beginning as soon as the current day ends. Here’s what you can expect:
The Guizer Jarl and His Squad
At the heart of Up Helly Aa is the Guizer Jarl who represents a Norse chieftain or hero for the year. The Guizer Jarl and his squad dress in elaborately crafted Viking costumes complete with helmets, axes, and shields. Months of preparation go into creating these intricate outfits.
The Guizer Jarl’s squad marches through the town, accompanied by other themed squads, known as "guizers," who dress up in costumes ranging from historical characters to satirical modern figures.
The Viking Galley
One of the most iconic elements of Up Helly Aa is the Viking galley, a replica longship built especially for the event. Adorned with a dragon’s head and intricate carvings, the galley is a symbol of Shetland’s Viking heritage.
The Torchlit Procession
The squads form a procession while holding torches and march through the streets while chanting Viking songs and battle cries.
The procession ends with the long-awaited galley burning. The torches are flung into the longship, setting it ablaze.
The Nightlong Celebration
Once the fiery spectacle is over, the night is just beginning. The guizers and the wider community take the festivities indoors to local halls, where there’s music, dancing, food and fun to be had.
Planning Your Visit
If you’re planning to attend Up Helly Aa, make sure to book your trip well in advance. Lerwick becomes a bustling hub during the festival, with accommodations filling up quickly. If you require transport on the island, you can either bring your car on the ferry, hire a car while you are here or organise taxis to get you about. There are a number of local tour guides who can provide tours and transport while you’re on the island.
Note that the day after the Lerwick Up Helly Aa is a public holiday so many local businesses will be shut. Lerwick brewery is open Mon-Fri during Up Helly Aa week, with our taproom serving a wide range of refreshments. We also have tours running to keep you busy and provide shelter from the weather! You can book a tour here.
UP HELLY AA 2025
TASTE OF SHETLAND FOOD AND DRINK MARKET
We will be at the Taste of Shetland Food & Drink Market at Shetland Museum on 27th January from 12pm.
LERWICK BREWERY TOURS
During the Up Helly Aa week, our brewery will be open Mon - Fri, 10am-5pm for visitors, and we will be running tours at 11am and 2pm - please book in advance by using the contact form below or visit our tours page as we cannot guarantee entry to a tour without a booking.