Up-Helly-Aa – Scotland
In the Shetland Islands, winter ends with a Viking-style bang during Up-Helly-Aa. Locals dress as Norse warriors, march through town with torches, and eventually set a replica Viking ship ablaze. It’s part historical reenactment, part fire festival, and all-around epic.
With booming chants, roaring flames, and horned helmets galore, the event feels straight out of a fantasy film. While rooted in real Norse heritage, it’s taken on a dramatic life of its own. For those witnessing it for the first time, the fire-lit sea spectacle is unforgettable—and deeply WTF-worthy.
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