Up Helly Aa is a tradition that originated in the 1880s. Since then the festival has been an annual occurrence in the Shetland calendar. Up Helly Aa is many things to many people, throughout the day there are experiences a plenty to be had by all from the celebration of our history, the sight of the Guizer Jarl and the Jarl Squad marching through the town followed by their galley to the evening party atmosphere in the halls.