We have lots of activity going on in Mareel throughout Lerwick's Up Helly Aa week!
Darren Smith: Mayflies x Fireflies
Every Day / Mareel Cafe Bar
We're excited to announce our latest exhibition is now up and ready for you to visit at Mareel!
Over seven years, Amsterdam-based photographer Darren Smith travelled across three continents to photograph participants at festivals and cultural gatherings, capturing portraits that isolate moments of vivid transformation.
Inspired by the fleeting yet intense life of the mayfly, these portraits celebrate the individuality and collective energy of people at events like Burning Man, Diá de los Muertos, and European carnivals. Darren also travelled to Shetland to capture Up Helly Aa in 2020 - one of the portraits featured in this exhibition is from his trip!
Mayflies complements Fireflies, an exhibition running simultaneously featuring a selection of photographs taken across Shetland which shows the passion each local photographer holds for our fire festivals. By juxtaposing the deeply rooted traditions of Up Helly Aa with the universal themes of Mayflies, both exhibitions reveal the shared human impulse to gather, transform and celebrate.
Mayflies is located in the Upper Cafe Bar/Fireflies is located in the Lower Cafe Bar.
Shetland Arts and Crafts Association: Up Helly Aa Craft Fair 2025
Sunday 26 January / 11am - 5pm / Mareel Auditorium
The Shetland Arts and Crafts Association are excited to announce their 2nd Craft Fair for Lerwick Up Helly Aa.
There will be lots of stalls from their talented members. It shall be located in the auditorium at Mareel 11am - 5pm on the 26th of January with free admission.
Visit Shetland Arts & Crafts Association's website here.
Special Opening Hours
Mareel will be open on Monday 27 January (10am - 9pm) and Wednesday 29 January (12pm - 9pm).
The cafe bar, shop and cinema will all be open as normal - we'll also be serving Reestit Mutton & Tattie soup with Bannocks at lunch time on Monday (and Tuesday)!
Tuesday 28 January / 1:15pm - 3:15pm / Mareel Auditorium
Fiery Sessions returns for 2025, this year taking to the stage in Mareel's Auditorium!
The popular annual concert will, as usual, showcase some of Shetland's finest musical talent on Lerwick's Up Helly Aa day and include a visit from the Junior Jarl Squad.
Hosted by the ever-entertaining Andy Kain, this is an event not to be missed!
Three cheers for Guizer Jarl Calum Grains and his squad!
Mareel will be open as normal during the day of Up Helly Aa, with our usual cafe service running and films screening.
The cafe will be closing to the public at anearlier time of 1:30pm with the rest of the building then closing at 5pm, as we begin to prepare our building for use as a hall in the evening.
Our doors will re-open for ticket holders at 9pm (please note that we do not sell the tickets for this event - they are handled by the hall hostesses).
Mareel will re-open to the public at 12pm on Wednesday 29 January.
Singer Songwriter Night
Thursday 30 January / 7:30pm - 9:30pm / Mareel Auditorium
Not quite ready for the fun to be over yet? Join us for our Singer Songwriter Night in Mareel's Auditorium for an evening of live local music.
Bring your instruments and showcase your talent - try out new material, perform the classics, or just stop by to enjoy a drink and listen to some great music at this free and non-ticketed event. Whether you are a seasoned musician, beginner or just love listening to live local music, don't miss this great new addition to the Shetland music scene.
To secure your spot to perform in advance email: [email protected]. However, feel free to simply show up and enjoy an evening filled with great tunes and even better company.
