The Viking Fire Festival in the Shetlands: A Bucket List Adventure

If you’re looking for an exciting adventure to add to your bucket list, the Viking Fire Festival in the Shetland Islands is a great option.

This annual event occurs on the last Tuesday of January and takes place on the small Scottish Isle of Unst, which is part of the Shetland Islands. This unique festival celebrates Norse culture with a mix of fire-based activities that provide both entertainment and education. Let’s take a closer look at this incredible event. 

What You Can Expect at the Viking Fire Festival 

The festival kicks off with a procession led by members of Up Helly Aa, who are dressed in traditional Viking garb and are carrying burning torches. After marching through town, they make their way to the harbor where they board longboats and row around chanting songs until they reach their destination—the beach—where they create an enormous bonfire from wooden stacks that have been prepared beforehand. 

Afterwards, attendees can enjoy a variety of activities such as storytelling and music performances, as well as traditional food stalls offering dishes such as smoked salmon sandwiches and creamy potato soup.

Of course, no festival would be complete without some good old-fashioned fun; there are plenty of contests ranging from tug-of-war to best-dressed Vikings for people to take part in throughout the evening.  

Throughout it all, there is an ongoing theme of fire safety; children receive fire safety medals during the procession while adults learn about how to properly handle fire during lectures and demonstrations held by local firefighters. It’s both entertaining and educational! 

The Viking Fire Festival is an incredible event that celebrates Norse culture while also providing entertainment and education on fire safety.

This unique festival takes place annually on January’s last Tuesday night on Unst Island in Scotland’s Shetland Islands. Whether you’re looking for an exciting adventure or just want to experience something new, this one should definitely be added to your bucket list! So don your viking garb and prepare for an unforgettable evening lit up by flames!