10 Bizarre Festivals You Won’t Believe Exist

Up Helly Aa, Scotland

If going to an event that puts you out in the cold is not your thing, you might want to head to the Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland in Scotland. This annual event takes place on the last Tuesday in January.

If you want to channel your inner Viking then this event is for you as it involves marching through the street in winged helmets, sheepskin outfits, carrying light torches and ends with burning a galley ship. The reason for the festival is to mark the end of the winter season, so instead of experiencing the seasonal blues, the locals spend this day setting fires to things instead (sounds pretty awesome if you asked me).

The festival also honors the Vikings that ruled the area 500 years ago before becoming “a part of Scotland in 1948.”