Our mini-guide to what's on in Basel lists the top events in the city
throughout the year. If you take your short break in Basel, Switzerland
when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to
do in Basel.
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Basel hotels that they have visited. The unbiased evaluations really
help to find the best hotels and avoid the worst.
1. Basler Fasnact - This vigorous event is Basel's answer to
Rio's Carnival or New Orleans' Mardi Gras. Streets become full of people
in customary attire who entertain with any skill they can. The event
starts on Monday morning at 4am with an ethereal procession called the
Morgestraich. All lights are turned off and many walk the streets
dressed in traditional garb carrying lanterns, which are seen throughout
the festival. From here, the festival parties continue on until the
last hour on the third day and include many events including the
whimsical Children's Carnival on Tuesday. The Basler Carnival kicks off
on the Monday morning that follows Ash Wednesday.
2. Baselworld - Swiss watches
are world renowned so what better way to
celebrate your craft than with a watch
and jewelry fair? Almost 70,000
professionals representing 40 countries provide guests with an
assortment of thousands of items. The event takes place at the Messe
Basel from 9am - 6pm each April. Admission is SFr45, concessions SFr30.
3. Jazz Festival Basel - This lively annual event takes place from April until May. For two
weeks venues across the city come alive with the sound of music from all
over the world. It covers all genres of jazz and includes flamenco-type
music, the American jazz scene and African soul. Most concerts start at
8:30pm. Admissions range from free to SFr85.
4. Art Basel - From June 15 to 19 the Messe Basel invites nearly 1,000
artists to display their work and about 50,000 visitors to come and
gawk. This highly praised international event brings many of modern arts
finest areas including: painting, drawing, sculpture and multimedia.
Messe Basel is open from 11am - 7pm.
5. Circus Knie - Would
it really be summertime without a circus coming to town? Of course not!
That's why the Swiss National Circus Knie makes its annual pitstop at
Basel each June. This legendary circus is nearly 200 years old and is
still run by members of the founding Knie family. The big top is set up
at Rosentalanlage from Monday through Friday. Weekday hours are at 8pm
and weekend hours vary.
6. Orange Cinema Open Air Movies - In the month of August Munsterplatz in Basel holds
open-air film gatherings for nearly three weeks. Films come in a variety
of categories including new releases and classics. During the first
week of the open-air cinema, the Swiss National Day runs parallel and
provides a screening as well as after party fun.
7. Basel Dances - Basel
Dances remains one of the most beloved events in the city. There are
performances from all aspects of dance from Royal Swedish Ballet to
modern interpretive dance. This event takes place at the Kaserne and
most performances start at 7:30pm. Admission ranges from SFr33 - SFr147.
8. Hermass - Hermass is
Basel's celebrated Autumn Fair Market. For ten days the city becomes a
wealth of fun and activities. Many rides are set up and stalls with
food, drink and other fare abound. It is one of Europe's longest running
traditions since its inception in 1471! Hours are 12pm - 8pm and
admission is free.
9. Munster and Pfalz - These
cobblestone streets echo with history. Visitors can amble around the
medieval square to see well preserved Romanesque and Gothic style
architecture including the famous St. Gallus Door at Galluspforte and
bright red Munster tower, an icon of Basel.
10. Kunstmuseum
Basel - This museum houses a very impressive collection including an entire room
dedicated to Picasso that is filled with some of his finest works. The
museum has an informative tour although sadly no cameras are allowed.
The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10am - 5pm.
Admission is 12EUR and under.