Christmas magic

This is Basel.

Christmas in Basel

For a traditional Christmas break in Switzerland, it does not get better than Basel. Find out everything you need to know about the events during Advent and the highlights of Christmas in Basel (“Basler Weihnacht”). 

Advent events

The city’s cultural institutions host countless festive events in the run-up to Christmas. From Advent concerts and Christmas markets to special exhibitions, Basler Weihnacht offers something for everyone.  

In the foyer of Theater Basel, a new door of the popular Advent calendar will open every day with a stage presentation. The Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel, Museum der Kulturen Basel and Historisches Museum Basel – Haus zum Kirschgarten present exhibitions for the season, while the Basler Marionetten Theater returns with its special Christmas programme for young and old.  

This year’s City Run Basel will take place on 19 November. The city’s churches will also host a series of events throughout Advent. The gospel night at Basel Cathedral (Münster) in particular is one of the most important events of Basler Weihnacht and is not to be missed. Other festive highlights include the Palazzo Colombino Christmas variety show at the Rosentalanlage and the Santa Claus Harley Davidson parade.

Christmas 2022: highlights

Culture

Advent calendar at Theater Basel

From 1 to 23 December, Theater Basel will be opening a window on its special calendar each day: every evening, a small surprise will await in the lobby, with samplings from ballet, theatre and opera.

Event

Palazzo Colombino

The gourmet theatre Palazzo Colombino promises an enchanting evening with an entertaining variety show and exquisite four-course meal. 

Event

Cirque Noël de Bâle

When the spotlights go on in the “Spiegelzelt” tent and there is a fairytale atmosphere in the air, when the artists fly through the air and the clowns bring out laughter in both young and old – then it’s time for the Cirque Noël de Bâle. 

Die Weihnachtsfähre mit Krippenspiel und Kerzenschrein / The Basel Christmas ferry

Trips with children

Basler Krippenweg 

The Basler nativity trail is home to a variety of nativity scenes in shop windows that are just waiting to be discovered by children and adults alike. A wonderful way to enjoy window shopping at Christmas!

Other events

“Basler Weihnacht” Association Board

Drawing in around 900,000 visitors each year, the Basel Christmas Market has become one of the city’s major public attractions. Its success is due in large part to synergies in terms of both organization and communication. Since 2010, the Verein Basler Weihnacht (Christmas in Basel Association) has ensured close cooperation between representatives from public administration, business and the authorities.

Association Board

The board of the volunteer-run association is made up of the following representatives:

  • Dr Gabriel Barell, Director of the Basel-Stadt Trade Association (Chair)
  • Adrian Ambord, Industrielle Werke Basel (IWB)
  • Matthias Böhm, Managing Director of StadtKonzeptBasel
  • Sabine Horvath, Head of Division of External Affairs and Marketing of the Canton of Basel-Stadt

Your contribution counts!

It is thanks to the close cooperation between all parties involved and the contributions of our loyal sponsors and patrons that Christmas in Basel (“Basler Weihnacht”) can continue to grow.

Many thanks for your donation to post office account number 40-711465-4

Partner

Logo Standortmarketing Basel      Logo BKB    Logo Bürgergemeinde

Logo HotellerieSuisse Region Basel      Logo IWB        Logo Stadtkonzept Basel        Logo SwissfondsBS  

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Good to know.

  • Special highlights include the Christmas trees in the Town Hall courtyard and on Münsterplatz. The latter location is decorated by Johann Wanner every year, one of the largest makers of handmade Christmas decorations. 

  • The Basel Christmas market on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz is considered to be one of the prettiest and largest in Switzerland. It has been named “Best Christmas Market 2021” in an online vote on the travel website “European Best Destinations”.

  • At Christmas, the streets of Basel delight visitors with a variety of Christmas lights. Each district has its own tradition. The Freie Strasse, Spalenvorstadt, St. Alban-Tal and Clarastrasse are all worth a visit. And of course, Münsterplatz, with its spectacular snow globes.

  • The lights on Freie Strasse will be turned on in time for City Run Basel on 19 November 2022. Basel’s Christmas lights will be switched on officially on 24 November 2022 and will delight visitors daily from 3.00 pm to 10.30 pm until 8 January 2023.

  • On the afternoon of Saturday, 3 December 2022, white-bearded Santa Clauses flit through the city centre on their motorcycles and collect donations for a good cause – an event very much in the Basel style: different, heartfelt and community-based.

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