What's on in Basel, Switzerland through the year

Busy — Christmas holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Busy — Basler Fasnacht, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Basler Fasnacht

  8 Feb – 15 Mar · usuallyCarnivalCrowdedBook early

  Morgestraich starts at four in the morning on the Monday after Ash Wednesday: the lights go off in the old town and the piccolo and drum cliques walk out under painted lanterns. Three days, and the city works around it rather than through it. Source ↗

Busy — Basler Fasnacht, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Basler Fasnacht (8 Feb – 15 Mar (usually))

Busy — Easter holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Busy — Spring holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in May.

Busy — Art Basel, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Art Basel

  12–25 Jun · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  The art fair every other art fair copies, plus a dozen satellite shows across the city. Rooms are booked and priced for it as far out as Freiburg and Mulhouse, so come for it or avoid the week entirely. Source ↗

• Season

  Rhine swimming season

  15 Jun – 10 Sep · usuallySummer season opens

  Locals float through the middle of the city with their clothes in a waterproof bag and climb out at the marked steps. The organised mass swim is one evening in August; the rest of it is unofficial, daily and free. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Basel Tattoo, Summer holidays in Switzerland

• Festival

  Basel Tattoo

  8–26 Jul · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  Massed pipes, drums and military bands in the Kaserne courtyard for a fortnight in July, with a free parade through the old town on the opening Saturday. Grandstand seats go months ahead. Source ↗

Still on: Rhine swimming season (15 Jun – 10 Sep (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Rhine swimming season (15 Jun – 10 Sep (usually))

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Rhine swimming season (15 Jun – 10 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Basler Herbstmesse, Autumn holidays in Switzerland

• Festival

  Basler Herbstmesse

  24 Oct – 12 Nov · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  Switzerland's oldest fair, running since 1471: rides and stalls spread over half a dozen squares for a fortnight from the last Saturday of October. It is a city fair rather than a tourist one — roast chestnuts, magenbrot, and everyone's grandparents. Source ↗

Busy — Basler Herbstmesse, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Basler Herbstmesse (24 Oct – 12 Nov (usually))

Busy — Christmas holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.