Around December 6, Santiglaus comes to town in his red robe, with Schmutzli in black at his side. "Niggi-Näggi" comes from the old rhyme Basel kids recite to him, asking for nuts and pears, and the brave ones still say a verse for a treat from his sack. Here's what we checked, from a visit at Haus zum Kirschgarten to the Christmas tram.
Niggi-Näggi is Basel's name for Samichlaus, the Swiss St. Nicholas, and the Zolli is what locals call Zoo Basel. For this afternoon event, he comes to the zoo.
It suits preschool and primary-age kids who know the Samichlaus tradition. The event is outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Every year, Harley-Davidson riders turn their motorbikes into Christmas vehicles and ride through Basel's illuminated city center dressed as Nikolaus, Santiglaus, Santa Claus or angels. It is one of the highlights of Basel's Christmas season.
Kids watch from the street as the decorated bikes roll past. It suits families with young children who love Santa, and anyone who likes motorbikes.
Santiglaus (St. Nicholas) drops in at Haus zum Kirschgarten with his helper Schmutzli. Kids who dare can step up and recite a little poem in front of him.
The rest of the family watches from the garden with warm drinks. It suits kids who can say a short rhyme in German, and younger siblings who just want to see him.
The Wiehnachts-Drämmli is a Christmas tram run by BVB, Basel's public transport company. It does rounds through the inner city, and Santiglaus comes along with it.
The ride is made mainly for children, so it suits families with young kids, and it is an easy pick for any child who loves trams.
Lörrach's Christmas market turns the Alter Marktplatz into a village of huts and lights. Stalls sell crafts, gift ideas and snacks like crêpes, roasted almonds and chocolate-dipped fruit, with alcohol-free punch alongside the mulled wine.
Younger kids head for the children's carousel, and a culture program brings acts like the town's music school and the Motettenchor choir. It suits a relaxed stroll more than a full day out.
Around December 6, Santiglaus comes to town in his red robe, with Schmutzli in black at his side. "Niggi-Näggi" comes from the old rhyme Basel kids recite to him, asking for nuts and pears, and the brave ones still say a verse for a treat from his sack. Here's what we checked, from a visit at Haus zum Kirschgarten to the Christmas tram.
Niggi-Näggi is Basel's name for Samichlaus, the Swiss St. Nicholas, and the Zolli is what locals call Zoo Basel. For this afternoon event, he comes to the zoo.
It suits preschool and primary-age kids who know the Samichlaus tradition. The event is outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Every year, Harley-Davidson riders turn their motorbikes into Christmas vehicles and ride through Basel's illuminated city center dressed as Nikolaus, Santiglaus, Santa Claus or angels. It is one of the highlights of Basel's Christmas season.
Kids watch from the street as the decorated bikes roll past. It suits families with young children who love Santa, and anyone who likes motorbikes.
Santiglaus (St. Nicholas) drops in at Haus zum Kirschgarten with his helper Schmutzli. Kids who dare can step up and recite a little poem in front of him.
The rest of the family watches from the garden with warm drinks. It suits kids who can say a short rhyme in German, and younger siblings who just want to see him.
The Wiehnachts-Drämmli is a Christmas tram run by BVB, Basel's public transport company. It does rounds through the inner city, and Santiglaus comes along with it.
The ride is made mainly for children, so it suits families with young kids, and it is an easy pick for any child who loves trams.
Lörrach's Christmas market turns the Alter Marktplatz into a village of huts and lights. Stalls sell crafts, gift ideas and snacks like crêpes, roasted almonds and chocolate-dipped fruit, with alcohol-free punch alongside the mulled wine.
Younger kids head for the children's carousel, and a culture program brings acts like the town's music school and the Motettenchor choir. It suits a relaxed stroll more than a full day out.
