By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 8 December 2025 | Updated: 8th December 2025
Why should you visit Basel in December?
Basel in December is one of the most beautiful and festive times to visit the city, (other than maybe Fasnacht which will always be our favourite Basel event!). When Basler Weihnacht is on you can visit not only four Christmas Markets, (each with its own twist), but also numerous other Christmas and winter events going on throughout December as well. So here is our guide to visiting Basel in December, with the Christmas Markets and much more.
Things to do in Basel in December
🎄 Basel Christmas markets 🎄
We are kicking things off with the biggest draw for tourists and locals alike in Basel in December, and that is of course the wonderful Christmas Markets. Perfect for spending a day or couple of evenings exploring, the markets are easy to get to via public transport or on foot, (Basel is pretty small so easily walkable!), and are some of the most beautiful in Switzerland. Think snowflake shaped fairy lights through the cobbled town streets, rustic decorated chalets in the main squares and of course plenty of good warming food and drink!
🎄 Christmas Market at Barfüsserplatz – This market is the largest Christmas Market in Basel, with numerous stands for gifts and typical Swiss produce as well as plenty of food and drink stalls, including the beloved Christmas pyramid which has a great Glühwein stand at the base. We can also highly recommend getting the gebrannte Mandeln and beggeschmutz from the Confiserie Jonasch stand and a fondue baguette from the Chäsbängel stand at the other side of Barfüsserkirche!
🎄 Münsterplatz Christmas Market – In the market square surrounding the Basel Münster, you will find lots of local Christmas gifts, including handmade ornaments and traditional Basler biscuits, Läckerli, (a type of spiced gingerbread biscuit which we love), alongside numerous sweet treat stands and our new favourite, flame grilled salmon stand. There is also the Märchenwald a childrens Christmas area, where they can make candles, decorate gingerbread, ride a mini train and more, so perfect for all the family to enjoy.
🎄 Christmas Market at Claraplatz – this small market is a little off the beaten path for most as it is located further into Kleinbasel but don’t let that stop you visiting! Alongside the traditional market stalls there is a large Alpine hut set up perfect for enjoying a fondue, currywurst or of course glühwein.
🎄 Adväntsgass im Glaibasel – running one road behind the Rhine on the Kleinbasel side of the river, this market is a little different to the others as it is dedicated to food and drink only so you wont find a gift stand here, but boy is it wonderful! Every evening this market comes alive with hearty and warming dishes and drinks, think stew in a bread bowl, toasted doughnuts filled with ice cream, (sounds weird but this is one of our favourites!), meat platters and of course a Hot Jamie, (a whisky based seasonal drink).
Be sure to check out our Christmas Market itinerary for Basel post if you are planning a trip out here!
Christmas Market Schedule
The start dates for the Basel Christmas Markets vary depending on the year, but they are generally from the last week of November. They then run through to the 23rd of December before shutting up shop for the Christmas holidays.
The Christmas Markets at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz are open daily 11:00 am to 8:30 pm, with Adväntsgass im Glaibasel open from 5:00pm through to 10:00pm or 11:00pm depending on the day. Claraplatz Christmas Market is open from 2:00pm to 10:00pm.
Basel Christmas Market Map
Check out the locations of all the markets in Basel as well as all of our other suggestions for things to do in Basel in December:
⛄️ Magical courtyards ⛄️
As well as the Christmas Markets, and often in some of the quieter and more hidden locations in the city, you can find the Magical Courtyards or Zauberhöfe. These festively decorated courtyards are all unique to one another, so are the perfect place to relax around a roaring fire, sample local dishes or warm up with a glass of glühwein. We highly recommend stopping by Löwenzorn for dinner in the courtyard and Schmiedenhof courtyard for warming local white glühwein and fire pits.
You can find the locations of all the courtyards here or on our map above.
❄️ Rhine Winter Cruise ❄️
Although Basel may not have a lake like most of the other big cities in Switzerland, the Rhine more than makes up for it, especially when you can take to the waters aboard a winter cruise. Cozy up under blankets outside whilst having a go at curling, (yes curing on a boat!), or inside next to a steaming fondue and glass of glühwein all while the Christmas lights along the river are lit up and twinkle into the night.
🎅 Johann Wanner Christmas House on Spalenberg 🎅
If you are visiting Basel in December you really can’t miss a visit to the Johann Wanner Christmas House on Spalenberg, also known as the:
Weihnachtsbaumschmuckausstattungsspezialgeschaeft!
This is the place to buy Christmas ornaments and tree decorations in Basel, and although it may look small from the front, this shop goes back and back! We guarantee that you will find something special to take home as a souvenir.
🎅 Fun Fact: The main Christmas trees around Basel, including at the Münster and in the Rathaus use decorations from Johann Wanner.
⛄️ Grattimaa Day⛄️
Held on the 6th December each year this is a day when the Swiss go mad for sweetened bread shaped like little men, (which are delicious and taste a lot like hot cross buns!). It is celebrated across Switzerland and therefore the sweetened bread men are often called slightly different things, (for example Grättimaa is the Basel region dialect name but the rest of Switzerland = Grittibänz / Saint Nicolas / Pupazzo di San Nicolao / Bänz / Elggermaa / Brötige Maa / Chläus / Bonhomme de Saint Nicolas to name a few!), but we think Basel has the best ones, especially if you manage to get hold of one from Confiserie Gilgen on Spalenberg, (they do giant ones here as well as normal sized ones but there is often a queue from before they open!).
🎅 The Weihnachts-Drämmli 🎅
You’ve seen the trams around Basel, but you haven’t truly witnessed Basel in December until you have seen the Weihnachts-Drämmli or Christmas Tram being driven by Santa himself. This cute old style tram is made up in full Christmas decorations and seating inside, but if you want to enjoy sightseeing across the city on it you have to be quick to get the tickets!
❄️ Harley Niggi-Näggi ❄️
In the evening of the first Saturday of December local Harley Davidson owners take to the streets in the city centre dressed as Santa Claus and with fully festivally decorated bikes to parade and raise money for local charities. Something to be seen to be believed!
Traditions in Basel in December
As well as all the local events there are also a few Christmas traditions that happen across the city in December including:
🎅 Käppelijoch on the Mittlere Brücke is festively decorated with a giant Santa’s hat.
🎄 A Wish Tree is put up at Rümelinsplatz, where you can write your wish on a piece of paper then tie it to the tree.
⛄️ A nativity trail is put up in shop windows across the city called the Basler Krippenweg.
❄️ A massive Basel Wish Book is put out in the Rathaus courtyard for all to write the wishes for the future in.
And of course through most of December in Basel you can also do Basel Local Chocolate Tasting or a Walking Tour through Basel Old Town.
Where to eat in Basel
There are a few wonderful places you should eat at in the Christmas Markets themselves including:
📍Chäsbängel at Barfüsserplatz – bread rolls filled with fondue
📍Hugo Levys Flammlachs on Münsterplatz – delicious smoked salmon baguettes
📍Stall hopping along Adventgässe
Otherwise check out our dedicated foodie post for our top picks for where to eat in Basel.
Where to stay in Basel in December
There are numerous options for accommodation in Basel, but these are our top picks for each budget and all within a short walking distance of the markets:
Budget: Hotel by Hyve Basel – just a short walk from the main train station, and with its own Magical Couryard, Hyve is a great budget option.
Mid Range: Art House Basel – a short walk from the Barfüsserplatz Christmas Market, and right in the heart of the foodie area of the city.
Luxury: Hotel Les Trois Rois – right on the riverfront in Grossbasel with views over Mittleresbrücke and only a short walk from three of the markets.
Basel in December FAQs
How to get to Basel
Basel is really easy to get to via plane, train or car.
✈️ Getting to Basel by plane: The nearest airport is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg just a short 20 minute bus ride from the city centre via the number 50 bus. If you are staying at accommodation in Basel don’t worry about getting a ticket to board the bus, just show your accommodation booking if asked for a ticket and that should cover you as nearly all hotels offer free public transport for guests.
🚃 Getting to Basel by train: As with pretty much all of Switzerland, Basel is very well connected via train, with two train stations that serve countless trains a day. Bahnhof Basel SBB is the main train station in the city, where nearly all the trams and buses pass by, (including the 50from the airport), which will connect you through to the rest of Switzerland and into France. Badischer Bahnhof is the other side of the city and a little further out, but will connect you into Germany.
🚗 Getting to Basel by car: Basel is well connected to the rest of Switzerland and into both France and Germany by road so it is easy to drive into the city. That being said, we would necessarily recommend driving into Basel in December as parking can be few and far between at the best of times let alone one of the busiest times of the year!
How to get around Basel
Basel is easy to get around on foot as it is a relatively small city in comparison to the likes of Lucerne or Zurich. If however it is particularly cold or you would rather save your feet, then it is well connected with both trams and buses, both of which should be included in the BaselCard you get when staying at most accommodation in the city.
Does it snow in Basel in December?
Yes! It is not a guarantee like other locations in the Alps but we regularly get snow in December as well as throughout the winter season. Don’t listen to the comments online that it is too warm to snow, as locals we know it does and we know it gets cold too! (It hit -12°C / 10.4°F, one year but regularly is in the negative degrees Celsius throughout December!).
Conclusion: Basel In December
So there you have our guide to Basel in December, a wonderful month to visit the city with Christmas Markets as well as numerous other seasonal events too. We love our home during the winter months, but December in Basel is extra special.
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.