Every year, Basel, a vibrant city on the Rhine, suspends reality for three days during its annual carnival, known locally as Fasnacht. In 2025, this spectacle begins on the 10th of March. And it all starts with the Morgestraich, a mesmerizing display of lanterns that cuts through the quiet darkness of the city at 4 a.m. The air is thick with anticipation, with thousands of people waiting for the city’s lights to go out and for the lantern procession to begin.
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Cliques and Costumes: The Heartbeat of Basel’s Carnival 2025
As soon as Morgestraich begins, the Cliques take over the city streets. These are groups of people who come together each year to participate in the carnival. They’re easily recognizable by their matching costumes and masks, which add a touch of whimsy and mystery to the event. Each Clique has its lantern, often intricately painted to illustrate a particular theme, and they walk through the city with their drums and piccolos, creating a captivating rhythm that reverberates throughout the carnival.
The Cortège: A Parade Like No Other
One of the highlights of Fasnacht is the Cortège, a grand parade that winds its way through the city on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. It’s an opportunity for the Cliques to show off their carefully crafted costumes and float-like lanterns.
Schnitzelbank: A Unique Flavor of Satire and Humor
The “Schnitzelbank” (or in Basel-german: Schnitzelbangg) is where you can witness the carnival’s unique blend of satire and humor, particularly from the Schnitzelbank performers. These performers recite humorous and often biting verses about the past year’s events, much to the delight of the crowd.
The Guggenmusik: A Symphony of Discord
The Carnival of Basel wouldn’t be complete without the Guggenmusik. These bands, consisting of brass and percussion instruments, play well-known tunes with an intentional twist – they’re off-key a lot (please lovely Guggenmusic understand this isnt a diss, we love it). It may sound strange, but it’s all part of the carnival’s charm. The Guggenmusik perform on Monday and Wednesday evenings, adding to the carnival’s unique soundtrack. You simply can not miss this.
The Children’s Carnival: The Spirit of Fasnacht in the Next Generation
On Tuesday, the 11th of March, it’s time for the Children’s Carnival. This is the moment when the city’s youngest residents have a chance to participate in the festivities. Groups of children parade through the city, their faces aglow with excitement (you are mostly not able to see that trough the masks tho) and their costumes adding a burst of color to the streets.
Endstraich: A Beautiful End to a Unique Celebration
As dawn breaks on Thursday, the 22nd of February, the Endstraich marks the close of the carnival.
But fear not, because in Basel, the end of one carnival only signals the countdown to the next.
So, are you ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Carnival of Basel 2025? Let us know which events you’re most excited for and why!
