What is the Blaggedde?

The official Fasnacht badge, with the year's theme on it. Entry to Fasnacht is free, and buying a Blaggedde is how you support it.

The Fasnacht classics are Mehlsuppe (flour soup) and onion and cheese tarts (Zwiebel- und Käsewähe).

Is the Drummeli part of Fasnacht?

No. The Drummeli is a separate ticketed show at Messe Basel in the weeks before, with cliques, Guggen bands and Schnitzelbänke. Presale for 2027 starts November 5, 2026.

February Break Ideas in Basel 2027, 2 of 15

UpcomingFestival

Basel Fasnacht: Switzerland's Biggest Carnival

Name: Basel Fasnacht: Switzerland's Biggest Carnival
Start: 2027-02-15
End: 2027-02-17T23:59:59
Location: Basel Old Town (Innenstadt)

When: Feb 15-17, 2027
Ages: All ages
Price: Free

Basel Fasnacht: Switzerland's Biggest Carnival photo 1

Basel Fasnacht: Switzerland's Biggest Carnival photo 2

Basel Fasnacht: Switzerland's Biggest Carnival photo 3

Basel Fasnacht: Switzerland's Biggest Carnival photo 4

FestivalAltstadt Grossbasel

Where

Altstadt Grossbasel, Basel Old Town (Innenstadt)

Ages

All ages

Setting

Outdoors

What you need to know

Tuesday is for families, with the children's Fasnacht by day and Guggenmusik concerts in the evening
Lantern display on Münsterplatz, where the cliques' big lanterns stand on show during Fasnacht
Costumes follow Basel rules: Waggis or Blätzlibajass looks are welcome, Halloween costumes, wigs and plastic masks are frowned on

About

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.

Schedule

Mon, Feb 15

4am
Morgestraich
All city-center lights go out and thousands of pipers and drummers set off with their lanterns.
Afternoon
Cortège
Cliques and floats parade through the city center.