Basel Fasnacht: lanterns, piccolos and drums at dawn

Basel Fasnacht is Switzerland's biggest carnival, known locally as the three most beautiful days. It begins at exactly 4 am with the Morgestraich, when all the street lights go out and glowing lanterns, piccolos and drums slowly move through the dark old town.

Fun facts

• Basel Fasnacht was added to UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2017.
• It starts on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, unusually late compared with other carnivals.
• Groups called cliques spend the whole year preparing their lanterns, costumes and satirical themes.

What to see

• The Morgestraich at 4 am on Monday, the magical opening of the carnival.
• The exhibition of huge painted lanterns on Münsterplatz.
• The loud Guggenmusik brass band concerts on Tuesday evening.

What to taste

• Mehlsuppe, a roasted flour soup traditionally eaten after the Morgestraich.
• Zwiebelwähe and Käsewähe, Swiss onion and cheese tarts.
• Fasnachtskiechli, very thin fried pastry dusted with icing sugar.

What to do

• Buy and wear a Blaggedde badge, which helps fund the carnival.
• Watch the Cortège parades on Monday and Wednesday afternoon.
• Follow small cliques drumming through the old town lanes at night.

💡 Tip: Spectators traditionally do not wear costumes or masks. From EuroAirport, bus 50 runs to Basel SBB station; stay overnight in the city to see the 4 am start.