Basel's winter builds to Fasnacht, three days when pipers, drummers and lantern-lit cliques own the old town from 4am Monday. Kids get their own afternoon on Tuesday, in homemade costumes with pockets full of confetti. The weeks before bring a griffin dancing on a Rhine bridge and a night of museums with public transport included. Here's what we checked, from Vogel Gryff to the fire brooms of Liestal.
This is the day Basel's carnival puts kids at the center. Children too young to march with a clique or Guggenmusik come out with their parents in homemade costumes and masks, hand out sweets and throw confetti (Räppli).
Older kids who already play an instrument form small groups with family and friends. It suits families who want to join in, not only watch from the curb.
Basel's Fasnacht is the biggest carnival in Switzerland and on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. For three days the city center belongs to the cliques: pipers, drummers, Guggenmusik bands and floats in the Cortège parades.
Kids watch the parades, see the big clique lanterns on show at Münsterplatz and find Räppli (confetti) everywhere. It suits families who don't mind crowds and loud drums.
On Carnival Sunday, the evening before the Morgenstraich, several hundred carriers parade through Liestal's old town with homemade pinewood brooms ablaze. Fire carts follow, and piccolo players and drummers lead the way.
The flames reach up to the gables of the old houses, and sparks fly through the darkened streets. It suits school-age kids who can handle a dense crowd, loud drums and strong heat.
Vogel Gryff is Kleinbasel's own festival day, run by the three honorary societies on this side of the Rhine. Each one sends out a costumed figure: the griffin (Vogel Gryff), the lion (Leu) and the wild man (Wild Maa), who dance in the streets at set spots around the neighborhood.
It suits kids who like big costumes and old local traditions, and who don't mind a winter day outdoors.
Museumsnacht is Basel's big winter night at the museum. One ticket opens dozens of museums and cultural venues across the city and neighboring towns, each with its own program of exhibitions, music, dance and hands-on activities.
Families pick a few houses, plan a route and hop between them. It suits school-age kids who can stay up late and enjoy a crowd.
Basel's winter builds to Fasnacht, three days when pipers, drummers and lantern-lit cliques own the old town from 4am Monday. Kids get their own afternoon on Tuesday, in homemade costumes with pockets full of confetti. The weeks before bring a griffin dancing on a Rhine bridge and a night of museums with public transport included. Here's what we checked, from Vogel Gryff to the fire brooms of Liestal.
This is the day Basel's carnival puts kids at the center. Children too young to march with a clique or Guggenmusik come out with their parents in homemade costumes and masks, hand out sweets and throw confetti (Räppli).
Older kids who already play an instrument form small groups with family and friends. It suits families who want to join in, not only watch from the curb.
Basel's Fasnacht is the biggest carnival in Switzerland and on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. For three days the city center belongs to the cliques: pipers, drummers, Guggenmusik bands and floats in the Cortège parades.
Kids watch the parades, see the big clique lanterns on show at Münsterplatz and find Räppli (confetti) everywhere. It suits families who don't mind crowds and loud drums.
On Carnival Sunday, the evening before the Morgenstraich, several hundred carriers parade through Liestal's old town with homemade pinewood brooms ablaze. Fire carts follow, and piccolo players and drummers lead the way.
The flames reach up to the gables of the old houses, and sparks fly through the darkened streets. It suits school-age kids who can handle a dense crowd, loud drums and strong heat.
Vogel Gryff is Kleinbasel's own festival day, run by the three honorary societies on this side of the Rhine. Each one sends out a costumed figure: the griffin (Vogel Gryff), the lion (Leu) and the wild man (Wild Maa), who dance in the streets at set spots around the neighborhood.
It suits kids who like big costumes and old local traditions, and who don't mind a winter day outdoors.
Museumsnacht is Basel's big winter night at the museum. One ticket opens dozens of museums and cultural venues across the city and neighboring towns, each with its own program of exhibitions, music, dance and hands-on activities.
Families pick a few houses, plan a route and hop between them. It suits school-age kids who can stay up late and enjoy a crowd.
