The Basel Carnival is part of the city’s identity – it is at the heart of its cultural creativity and provides three days of exceptional events. Due to its uniqueness and quality, Switzerland’s largest carnival is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Basel carnival – Morgenstraich
Basel carnival parade
The starting signal is given on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at 4.00 a.m. sharp – in total darkness. Then the popular “Morgestraich” transforms the city center into a sea of lights from hand-painted lanterns, where thousands of disguised pipers and drummers accompany their lantern and thus their subject (theme) with music – until the “Ändstraich” on Thursday morning, again at 4.00 a.m. sharp. What lies in between must be experienced.
The Basler Fasnacht thrives on unique instruments, creativity, inventiveness and artistic excellence. Socio-political topics, stories and current affairs are conveyed in a very Basel way: proudly, with sharp humor and a sharp tongue.
Video UNESCO World Heritage: The Basel Carnival | DW Deutsch
The rituals and costumes of the Basel carnival make it so unique that it was added to the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in December 2017.
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Video Basel Carnival 2023 | Fasnacht Basel 2023 Monday | Swiss Carnival
Basler Fasnacht 2023 happened between 27th February and 1st March. Fasnacht Basel is the biggest Swiss Carnival. It is listed as one of the top local festivities in Europe as well as UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage.
This video shows the best moments of “Cortège” / “Fasnachtsumzug” (the parade) that happened the first day of Basler Fasnacht. There is an official route where “Cliques” (formed groups of participants) play “Guggenmusik” (brass music) wearing colorful costumes and throwing tons of confetti as well as flowers, sweets, drinks, vegetables and oranges to the crowd.
Fasnacht in Basel starts on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at 4:00 AM with the “Morgestraich” march. The carnival lasts for 72 hours and ends on Thursday morning at 4:00 am. During this time the participants dominate the city center of Basel, running free in the streets and restaurants.
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