Event highlights for 2026
Events
| January | Basel Museums Night (23 January 2026) The museums and cultural institutions will open their doors at an unusual time and offer their guests the opportunity to wander through their collections from 6.00 pm to 2.00 am. Exhibitions |
| February | Basler Fasnacht (23 to 25 February 2026) Basel’s famous Carnival will take place with the Morgenstreich, the cortège, (i.e. the big procession), the lantern exhibition on Münsterplatz, the Kids’ Carnival, Guggenmusik and Schnitzelbängg. Exhibitions |
| March | Exhibitions Oliver Ressler. Scenes from the Invention of Democracy, Museum Tinguely (until 1 March 2026) Geister. Dem Übernatürlichen auf der Spur, Kunstmuseum Basel | Neubau (until 8 March 2026) Lukas Truniger, Isabell Bullerschen, Rhona Mühlebach – Schweizer Medienkunst – Pax Art Awards 2025, Haus der Elektronischen Künste (HEK) Diambe, Kunsthalle Basel Dominique White, Kunsthalle Basel Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses, Museum Tinguely The First Homosexuals. Die Entstehung neuer Identitäten 1869–1959, Kunstmuseum Basel | Neubau (from 7 March 2026) Hella Jongerius: Whispering Things, Vitra Design Museum (from 14 March 2026) |
| April | Exhibitions Lukas Truniger, Isabell Bullerschen, Rhona Mühlebach – Schweizer Medienkunst – Pax Art Awards 2025, Haus der Elektronischen Künste (HEK) (until 19 April 2026) Diambe, Kunsthalle Basel Dominique White, Kunsthalle Basel The First Homosexuals. Die Entstehung neuer Identitäten 1869–1959, Kunstmuseum Basel | Neubau Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses, Museum Tinguely Hella Jongerius: Whispering Things, Vitra Design Museum Helen Frankenthaler, Kunstmuseum Basel | Neubau (from 18 April 2026) |
| May | Open House Basel (9 and 10 May 2026) For the eight time, Open House Basel is teaming up with a host of dedicated partners to make outstanding architecture from different eras accessible to all. Fantasy Basel (14 to 16 May 2026) For three whole days, creative-minded people can let their fantasy run wild and meet others who share their fascination with science fiction, cinema, game design and fantasy in an area of over 100,000 m2. Exhibitions |
| June | Art Basel (18 to 21 June 2026) The Art Basel, exhibiting art of the 20th and 21st centuries, is indisputably the world’s leading fair in the international art market. Over 250 selected galleries from around the world present modern and contemporary works of high quality, making the fair the most important temporary museum. Jodlerfest (26 to 28 June 2026) Under the motto “Stadt und Land mitenand” (City and Country Together), the 32nd Swiss Yodeling Festival will take place from June 26 to 28, 2026. Basel will then become the hotbed of the Swiss yodeling scene, with 12,000 active participants and around 200,000 visitors expected. Exhibitions |
| July | Basel Tattoo (17 to 25 July 2026) Against the historical backdrop of Kaserne Basel, the Basel Tattoo – the world’s second-largest tattoo – is held each summer. At the Basel Tattoo, elite military bands from around the world impress audiences with a top-class musical programme. Exhibitions |
| August | Floss Festival (4 to 22 August 2026) The free summer event brings a Mediterranean festival mood to Basel. Performing on a floating stage on the Rhine with a sail-shaped canopy, insider tips and well-known bands from Switzerland and abroad will delight up to 50,000 visitors. Exhibitions |
| September | Exhibitions Hella Jongerius: Whispering Things, Vitra Design Museum (until 6 September 2026) Pierre Huyghe, Fondation Beyeler (until 13 September 2026) Shuang Li, Kunsthalle Basel (until 13 September 2026) Studio Lemercier, Haus der Elektronischen Künste (HEK) Gili Tal, Kunsthalle Basel Roy Lichtenstein. Sweet Dreams Baby! Druckgrafik der Pop-Art, Kunstmuseum Basel | Neubau Cao Fei, Kunstmuseum Basel | Gegenwart Verner Panton. Form, Farbe, Raum, Vitra Schaudepot Samuel Guerrero – Kunsthalle Basel x Cordova: Back Wall Project (Rückwandprojekt), Kunsthalle Basel (from 13 September 2026) Van Gogh, Hodler und ein Cabriolet. Die Sammlerin Gertrud Dübi-Müller, Kunstmuseum Basel | Neubau (from 19 September 2026) Geoffrey Bawa. Architecture for the Senses, Vitra Design Museum (from 26 September 2026) |
| October | Swiss Indoors Basel (24 October to 1 November 2026) One of the world’s most important indoor tennis tournaments, Swiss Indoors Basel is undoubtedly the most significant tennis event in the Swiss sporting calendar. Basel Autumn Fair (24 October to 8 November 2026) The Basel Autumn Fair is a unique experience for young and old alike. The many rides, the culinary variety and colourful market on Petersplatz have something to offer each and every visitor. Exhibitions |
| November | Swiss Indoors Basel (24 October to 1 November 2026) One of the world’s most important indoor tennis tournaments, Swiss Indoors Basel is undoubtedly the most significant tennis event in the Swiss sporting calendar. Basel Autumn Fair (24 October to 8 November 2026) The Basel Autumn Fair is a unique experience for young and old alike. The many rides, the culinary variety and colourful market on Petersplatz have something to offer each and every visitor. Basel Christmas market (26 November to 23 December 2026) The Basel Christmas market at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz is considered to be one of the prettiest and largest in Switzerland. In the middle of the city centre, nestled in the historic Old Town, traders and artisans offer their goods for sale in small, rustic wooden chalets. Exhibitions |
| December | Basel Christmas market (26 November to 23 December 2026) The Basel Christmas market at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz is considered to be one of the prettiest and largest in Switzerland. In the middle of the city centre, nestled in the historic Old Town, traders and artisans offer their goods for sale in small, rustic wooden chalets. Exhibitions |
Want to know more?
We would love for you to report on our city and would be happy to help you conduct your research or plan a media trip. Please contact our PR Department – our staff will answer any questions you might have.
Elsa Syfrig
Manager Markets & Communication