Up Helly Aa Viking Festival Celebrated In Shetland, Scotland (PHOTOS)

PHOTOS: Incredible Images From Viking Festival

The vikings are back! Well, at least for a day.

Every last Tuesday of January -- no matter the weather -- Scotland's Shetland Islands celebrate Europe's largest fire festival, Up Helly Aa.

The Telegraph explains that thousands of visitors mark the influence of the Norsemen on the Shetland Islands by dressing up as vikings, holding torch-lit processions and setting a replica of a Viking ship alight.

The tradition dates from 1881 and has been honored every year since, with the exception of 1901 for the Death of Queen Victoria and during both World Wars.

Take a look at the incredible photos in the slideshow below.

Viking Festival

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