The winter Up Helly Aa fire festivals are highlights of Shetland's events calendar but sadly the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means the events have had to be postponed for the second year running. This includes the biggest festival, Lerwick Up Helly Aa, which usually takes place on the last Tuesday in January.
Commenting on the decision to cancel Lerwick Up Helly Aa in 2022, commitee secretary Robert Geddes said: “Up Helly Aa as an event relies on numerous factors coming together at one time to be able run smoothly and safely.
“Planning for the event takes place a full year ahead of each festival and despite the best efforts to continue organising the festival through the various restrictions that have been in place to date, it is clear now that despite the release of further restrictions there isn’t sufficient time to run the event in its normal format.”
Most fire festivals are cancelled in 2022 with only one still to be confirmed. See details below.
