Culture in Basel
One city – many stages
Theater Basel, which has twice been named “Opera house of the year” and has been invited to attend the Berliner Theatertreffen several times, attracts actors, directors and intendants from across the German-speaking world. Switzerland’s largest multipurpose theatre is home to dance, music and acting – here you can enjoy a spectrum of entertainment ranging from classic opera to modern stage shows.
But Basel’s small theatres also thrill audiences with their own sophisticated productions.
Basel is music to your ears
Global stars and promising new talents come to Basel to showcase their skills and make their mark, however big or small. Catch them at the Bird’s Eye (one of Europe’s most celebrated jazz clubs), on the Floss (a floating festival stage on the Rhine) or in the concert halls of the Stadtcasino Basel. The unrivalled acoustics in these halls make them coveted stages for orchestras from across the globe – but most often they play host to the Kammerorchester and Sinfonieorchester Basel.
Numerous concerts and festivals enrich the musical offering. World stars perform in an informal setting at the “Baloise Session”, the who’s who from the pop scene come together at “Summerstage Basel” and “Groove Now Blues Weeks Basel” is one of Europe’s most eminent blues festivals.
Basel's rich literary scene
The literature scene in Basel is characterized by its rich cultural diversity. Writers, authors and literature fans contribute to Basel’s lively literature landscape with countless events, readings and book festivals.
One should not forget the many smaller events that give the city of culture its well-deserved name. Some of these have already become well-established, others are still establishing themselves. However, they all have one thing in common – the blood, sweat and tears that the promoters and event organisers put in.
