Up Helly Aa 2026 - what's on at the Shetland Museum
Join us at the Shetland Museum & Archives as we celebrate Up Helly Aa 2026 with extended opening times, Origins of UHA tours, a food and drink event, Jarl Squad visit and a Peerie Vikings craft session for the bairns.
Origins of Up Helly Aa Tours
Running daily from Tuesday 20 – Tuesday 27 January.
Tickets £8 - book your space
The origins of Up Helly Aa might come as a surprise to those who don’t know where it all began - it isn’t just about Vikings! Enjoy a tour of our museum galleries to learn more about the event.
Sunday 25th January (Museum is open from 11am to 5pm)
Taste of Shetland at Up Helly Aa
11am – 5pm (cooking demos in the learning room from 12.30pm)
There will be a treat in store for foodies as Shetland Food and Drink hosts a Taste of Shetland day at the museum, including cooking demonstrations and local food stalls.
New exhibition opens - Bobby Simpson
A new exhibition will open to the public on Sunday celebrating the craftsmanship of Bobby Simpson, a gifted Shetland hobbyist whose keen observational skill shaped his hand-carved figures in wood, cork and driftwood. From vikings to kishie-carrying islanders, and depictions of Jarls through the years, his carvings reflect Shetland heritage and local materials. Exhibition on display in Hay's Dock Upper Foyer
Monday 26th January (Museum is open from 10am to 5pm)
10am to 12.30pm – Peerie Vikings (free drop-in event)
Join us for a morning of Viking fun, your peerie one will have the chance to make paper helmets, shields and torches.There will also be tough-tray stations with various Viking themed toys to get your little one ready for the fiery season. Make sure to stick around until 12noon as there will be a peerie Up Helly Aa procession through the galleries, lots of singing and the opportunity to throw their newly made torches into our mini galley. Donations on the door - suggested £2
Tuesday 27th January (Museum is open from 10am – 5pm)
2pm to 4pm – Junior Galley on display
Get a close-up view of the Junior UHA galley which will be positioned outside the museum at Hay’s Dock
2pm – Live music
There’s always a great atmosphere in the museum on Up Helly Aa day – as we gear up for the Jarl Squad visit we will have live music playing in the foyer area during the afternoon.
3.30pm – Jarl Squad Visit (ticketed event)
Members of the public are invited to watch as the 2026 Lerwick Jarl Squad make their official visit to Shetland Museum & Archives, and have the chance to see them perform their UHA song, chat to the squad and perhaps even get the chance to try on a helmet or hold a shield. This event is free of charge but will be in high demand with just 100 tickets available – tickets will go on sale via our Box Office at 2pm on Tuesday 20th January.
Wednesday 28th – (Normal opening times resume: museum is open from 10am – 5pm)
Remember our other Shetland Amenity Trust sites are open too:
Guided tours of Old Scatness Broch and Iron Age Village
Tours on Wednesday 28 January - book your tour
Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and Visitor Centre
Open from Sunday 25 to Friday 30 January, 10am - 4pm (closed on Monday & Tuesday)
Giving visitors the chance to experience dramatic winter scenery while exploring the lighthouse and surrounding nature reserve.
