The Basler Fasnacht

Welcome to one of my favorite parts of the Basel culture - Fasnacht! “Die drey scheenschte Dääg” or “The three most beautiful days” - when the Carnival erupts in Basel! At 4:00am Monday morning, Morgestraich, the city will go dark and silent for a moment. Following this cold and eery silence, the lanterns will light, the drum major will announce, “Morgestraich vorwärts marsch!”, and the costumed drummers and pipers will begin their 72-consecutive hour march through the streets of Basel playing their slightly off-key melody. It’s amazing, incredibly fun, and a fantastic example of Basel’s Culture and character. Just hours later at 13:30 the Monday Cortège will begin and will include wind instruments like the tuba and trumpet.

UNESCO added Basel’s Fasnacht to their list of Intangible Culture History of Humanity, and it’s obvious why. This is only one of two recognized events, the other being Vevey’s Wine Festival which is held only once per generation (scheduled for 2019 and last held in 1999).

Basel’s Fasnacht is a long-standing tradition that dates back as far as 1376. That’s not a typo. 1376! According to Basel.com, “Basel’s Carnival is Switzerland’s largest “carnival” and the main Protestant one in the world.”

Morgenstreich dates back to 1835 when carnival participants marched with fire burning torches. This tradition only lasted 10 years before a ban was put in place. The lantern processions became a tradition in 1860.

Dates and Times

Monday 11-14 March 2019
(72-Consecutive Hours Beginning at 4:00am)

Basel, Switzerland - Altstadt

Chienbase in Liestal - 10 March 2019 at 19:00
Morgestraich - 11 March 2019 at 04:00
Cortege Basel - 11 & 13 March 2019 at 13:30
Endstraich - 14 March 2019 at 04:00

The Dos and The Don’ts

DO NOT use lighting or flashes at Morgenstreich. Light pollution dilutes the effect of the amazing lanterns that the cliques have created.

DO NOT wear consume unless you are an actual participant of the carnival. Specators are NOT to wear costume.

DO purchase a Blaggedde (Fasnacht Badge/Pin) before attending the festivities! The sales of these pins (for Basel and the surrounding villages) subsidizes the clique's expenses and activities. As the Waggis (costumed participants) toss oranges, candies, potatoes, and confetti… you definitely want to have a visible badge! This is the difference between joyful confetti flow and a shower of confetti!

DO attend as many of the activities as possible! Morgenstreich has a completely different feel than the other portions. The anticipation and beginning is magical. Be there 30-45 minutes early. Last year I got stuck in the middle of the old city and so wish I had been in Marktplatz. While it was still a great experience, it was extremely tight - especially when the crowd needed to part for the cliques to walk through.

DO go into Marktplatz and enjoy seasons foods and beverages! The tradition is to have Mehlsuppe, or flour soup, for the first time following the Morgenstreich. Enjoy soup, wursts, baked goods, and more!

DO have fun and enjoy the festivities!