The Ultimate Guide to Basel Fasnacht From A Local [2024]

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 14th July 2023 | Updated: 8th January 2024

Basel Fasnacht, or the Carnival of Basel, is one thing that you simply must experience if you visit Basel. One of the biggest carnivals in Switzerland and an UNESCO Cultural Heritage, the ‘three beautiful days’, (Die drey scheenschte dääg), as it is known to the locals, is like nothing else you will have witnessed. With live music, Fasnacht sweet treats and a rainbow carpet of räppli, Basel Fasnacht is simply incredible.

We have been lucky enough to experience numerous Fasnachts over the years since we moved to Basel, and each year always seems to top the last, even if that means finding yet more confetti in our house months later in the year!

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Basel Fasnacht Itinerary

Basel Fasnacht runs from 4 am on the Monday after Ash Wednesday to 4 am on the following Thursday, although there are some events that happen just before and on the weekends following the main carnival. If you really want to make the most of Fasnacht then be prepared to be out at all hours enjoying the atmosphere and of course the music. Just be aware that no public transport runs through the city centre during the Cortège or the Guggenmusik night, so wear some comfy shoes and get walking!

Sunday evening, before the start of Basel Fasnacht

The day before Morgenstreich the cliques meet at the location of their lantern, (often where they meet up to practice), and in everyday clothing escort their lantern to the city centre with pipe playing, ready for the early 4 am start the following day.

Basel Fasnacht – Monday

Morgenstreich

Be prepared for an early one, especially if you want a good viewing spot! 4 am Monday morning all the lights in the city are turned off at once and the 200 cliques that are located across the city all march together from Marktplatz playing the same song with their large lanterns leading the clique and with small lanterns above each of the clique members heads.

This really is something you have to see as the atmosphere is like no other. What makes Morgenstreich even better, is that only the lanterns are illuminated and are the only lights in the city giving the Altstadt a magical glow.

Cortège

After a bit of a rest, (unless you are in a clique), it’s time to head out to experience the Cortège. On Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 6 pm over 12,000 carnival members parade their lanterns on a set route through the city accompanied by the clique’s drummers, piccolo players and Gugge music. They are often pulled along by tractors, or if the clique is smaller, pulled along on foot.

This is what you really have to witness and experience out of everything in Basel Fasnacht, with brass bands, drummer groups and pipers playing, alongside the cliques throwing oranges, yellow mimosa flowers, sweets and of course generous showers of räppli (Basel confetti) into the crowds.

Check out our post The ultimate guide to the best things to do in Basel for even more wonderful things to discover in Basel

Lantern exhibition

After the Cortège on Monday through until Wednesday morning, all the lanterns are then exhibited on Münsterplatz so you can get up close and wander through them all taking in the satirical and artistical works.

Basel Fasnacht – Tuesday

After all the excitement of Monday, there is no official parade or events happening on the Tuesday morning, although if you do venture out into the city centre you will definitely come across a clique or two, (more often than not they will have played through the night!).

The afternoon of Tuesday is reserved for Kinderfasnacht where it is all about the children, with groups playing music, having fun and most importantly, showering every passer by with masses of confetti. Even if you think you have avoided the confetti, you will find it in your pocket!

Guggenkonzert

On the Tuesday evening on Marktplatz, Barfüsserplatz and Claraplatz from 7:30 pm to 11 pm, (but often running throughout the night!), is the time for the Guggenkonzerts. This is where the brass bands and drummers of Basel Fasnacht showcase their skills and play on stages to the crowds. You’ll often find they play music renditions of well-known pop songs as well as more local clique favourites.

Basel Fasnacht – Wednesday

If you missed the Cortège on Monday then catch the one happening in the afternoon on Wednesday, before making your way to one of the many restaurants, bars or theatres that open their doors for the Schnizelbanks. These short speeches and songs performed by clique members are about a different theme each year, normally something to do with the news headlines from the past year and is intended to make the audience laugh. If you don’t speak the local lingo, you can give this one a miss, but it is still worth getting out in the city in the evening to soak up the atmosphere of the cliques that are still playing in the side streets of the Altstadt.

Endstreich

From Wednesday evening into the early hours of Thursday morning, the cliques play throughout the city centre for the last day of Basel Fasnacht. This is often a time for the cliques to visit their local meeting point and for merriment, so grab a Gluhwein and a warming wurst and enjoy the last night of Fasnacht.

Basel Fasnacht – Bummelsonntags

If you are in Basel on the weekends following Fasnacht then keep an eye, or ear, out for the Bummelsonntags music. Without any costumes or masks, the cliques take to the streets on the evenings of the three Sundays following Fasnacht and stroll through the city centre playing one last time before next year’s Fasnacht. They end along Freistrasse before heading to the local restaurant or bar, not to be seen, (or heard), from again until Fasnacht starts again the following year.

Basel Fasnacht FAQs

When is Basel Fasnacht?

These are the upcoming dates for Basel Fasnacht over the next few years:

2024: 19th February

2025: 10th March

2026: 23rd February

2027: 15th February

Best way to get to Basel Fasnacht

If you are staying in Basel during Fasnacht then the best, and only, way to get around Fasnacht is by foot. The trams and buses that normally connect across the city do not run through the centre during Fasnacht as the Cortège and the cliques take precedence, so be sure to wear your best walking shoes.

If you are staying out of the city of Basel, then the best way to get to Fasnacht is by public transport. Take the train to Basel SBB then walk into the main city centre. Just be aware that if you are coming in from Germany or France where you would normally get a tram into Basel, these may not be running quite as usual.

Food to eat during Basel Fasnacht

There are numerous traditional foods that are eaten during Fasnacht, (some of which are a little more unusual than others).

Basler Mehlsuppe – Basel flour soup, toasted flour with butter in a broth topped with cheese, mainly served during the Morgenstreich.

Zwiebel or Käsewähe – Onion or cheese quiche often served with the Mehlsuppe.

Fastenwähe – Similar to a pretzel but made with an enriched dough covered in caraway seeds.

Fasnachtschüechli – icing sugar-dusted thin pastry, similar to a poppadom texture, (these are really moreish!)

History of Basel Fasnacht

Basel Fasnacht is one of the oldest and most significant carnival celebrations in Switzerland. Its origins can be traced back to medieval times, with the earliest known reference to the carnival dating back to 1376. However, since 2017 Basel Fasnacht was recognised by UNESCO for its Cultural Heritage, highlighting its significance as a unique cultural tradition.

Today, it attracts thousands of visitors from around the world who come to experience the vibrant and festive atmosphere of this historical carnival celebration.

Traditional Costumes at Basel Fasnacht

At Basel Fasnacht, participants in the parades hide their identity under a Masgge, (costumes), as per the unwritten laws of Fasnacht. There are lots of different costumes that are worn throughout Basel Fasnacht, some a little scarier than others, but the main ones you should look out for are:

Harlequin – a distinct checked costume, with long hair and pom poms.

Waggis – a caricature of an Alsatian peasant, this is the costume you have to be most mindful of, they not only throw flowers and oranges at the crowds, but also confetti by the bucket load.

Dummpeter – often seen on the piccolo performers, due to the puffy face.

Ueli – the court jester, with fabric horns and covered in bells.

Dos and Donts at Basel Fasnacht

Do get a Blaggedde (Basel Fasnacht carnival badge) to support your local clique. They have four different types, copper 10CHF, silver 20CHF, gold 50CHF and Bijou 100CHF which you can buy from participants and kiosks throughout the city.

Don’t pick up confetti from the floor to throw, it is often inches deep in places, (yes inches!) so you don’t know what you are picking up.

Do experience all the different sides of Basel Fasnacht, the Morgenstreich is a very different atmosphere to the Guggenkonzert evening for example.

Don’t wear your own mask or costume, this is for the participants of Fasnacht only although you may see a few children dressed up.

Do get fully involved in all aspects of Fasnacht, embrace being covered in confetti and dance!

Don’t expect to sleep much if you are staying in the city centre anywhere near the main squares or in the Altstadt, the cliques will play from 4 am on the Monday right through to 4 am on the Thursday!

How long does Basel carnival go on for?

Basel Fasnacht officially goes on for exactly three days, from 4 am on the Monday to 4 am on the Thursday, but there are events just before and after the carnival as well.

Where are the clique cellars?

The clique cellars are mainly located between Marktplatz and Basel University. You can often figure out which places these are as they will have the cliques Fasnacht lanterns above the door. The best place to find out where all the local clique cellars are, and when they are open, is with the app Källerabstiig or via the Visit Basel website.

Conclusion: Basel Fasnacht Itinerary

So, there is our ultimate guide to Basel Fasnacht, from the parades to the music-filled nights, the costumes to the confetti. It really is something that has to be seen to be believed. Have we made you want to experience it yet?

Gemma Tedaldi

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.