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Annual Events in & around Basel (work inprogress)
January
Neijoorsaadringgede | Basel
1st Jan at Dreizackbrunnen Not exactly for the kids but they may find it amusing watching you enjoy a drink wine filled from the wine flowing fountain on the corner of Freie Strasse & Munsterberg |
Vogel Gryff | Basel
A spectacle with historic significance held in Kleinbasel. The heraldic figure Vogel Gryff parades on the right bank of the Rhine River. Starts at 10:30 am when the Vogel Gryff floats dancing to rhythms of the drums & gun salutes on a raft down the River Rhine. Approximately noon: Dance of the figures before "Käppeljoch" and on the Middle Rhine Bridge. The dates alternate between January 13, 20, and 27. |
International Hot Air Balloon festival | CHÂTEAU-D'OEX
More than 80 multicolored balloons will fill the air above Château-d'Oex, the valley of Albeuve and the Castle of Gruyères. Daily competitions and air shows. Passenger flights are possible. |
Basler Jugendbücherschiff | Basel
The youth book exhibition has been held in Basel yearly since 1935. Typically in January the book ship floats on the Rhine river at Schifflande. This is a perfect place to get out of the cold and curl up along the window overlooking the boats passing by and enjoy a nice read while rocking in the waves. The boat is filled with a wonderful selection of books for children young and old to enjoy. |
FEBRUARY
White Turf | St. Moritz
Guests from all over the world are delighted by the fine thoroughbreds from all over Europe and international jockeys who take part in the races at White Turf St. Moritz. Young kids can get right up to the fence to watch the horses speed bye. |
Faschnacht | Basel
Tuesday is a day for children, with no main procession but rather groups of adults and children in costume wandering at random around the streets, some of them playing instruments. |
MARCH
Iglu Festival | Engstligenalp
A unique yearly festival where people come together to build, decorate, and then sleep in their own igloo. A wonderfully organized event that includes everything from food & drinks to all the tools and instruction needed to build an igloo. We have been for the last few years and brought along our son from the age of 5. You definitely need an adventurous spirit and the stamina to work building all day but it's all worth it for the experience of a lifetime! |
APRIL
Bricklive Basel | Basel Messe
Each April Bricklive arrives in Basel. This is a huge hands on event perfect for lego lovers of any age. Read our blog for impressions. |
MAY
Kinder Ferien Stadt | Basel Various
Childrens Holiday City set up in parts across the city during the spring holiday. Click here for our blog post. |
JUNE
Art Basel | Basel
Art Basel is a great experience for families. You have to option of dropping the kids off in the Robi Spiel play area inside Art Base. It has hands on art activities for older children to enjoy. Or bring the kids along as you tour the rooms of Art Basel. So much of the art is immersive and is a great way to expose young ones to the world of art. Art Basel Parcours: Grab a map and experience works of art in unusual locations in Basel. I do this every year on a sunny afternoon with my son and for him it feels like a sort of art 'treasure hunt' through Basel's beautiful old town. |
Mid Summers Day Festival | Gruyere
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JULY
Kinder Ferien Stadt | Basel Various
Childrens Holiday City set up in parts across the city during the spring holiday. Click here for our blog post. |
AUGUST
Kinder Ferien Stadt | Basel Various
Childrens Holiday City set up in parts across the city during the spring holiday. Click here for our blog post. |
4056 vs 4057: Water battle | Basel Dreirosenbruke
A wonderfully childlike tradition held annually in mid August: The water fight on the Dreirosenbrücke. People of all ages gather on the bridge to participate in the playful battle between Gross- and Kleinbasel. Dressed in creative costumes, swim suits, or soggy clothes smiling participants launch water from pistols and their stockpile of water balloons to see whether 4056 or 4057 conquers the bridge. The friendly battle ends with smiles and grilling and good fun for big and small. Typically held the 2nd week in August. |
Rhine Swim | Basel
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Alliance Open Air Cinema | Basel Munsterplatz
Open air cinema held for several weeks each summer in the Munsterplatz. Family day is one particular day with a kid friendly movie and little extra fun activities for the family to enjoy. |
EmBebbi Sy Jazz | Basel Old Town
Annual free jazz festival held in the old town of Basel. Wander the city enjoying free concerts on the Pop up stages. Enjoy drinks and dinner from one of the many stalls tucked away on the street corners. Date: Friday, 17 August 2018 |
SEPTEMBER
"Pfifferdaj" The Fiddlers’ Festival | Ribeauville
The first weekend in September the streets fill with numerous musical acts and street performers with the high point of the festival being the float parade. |
OCTOBER
Herbstmesse | Basel Various
The Basel Autumn Fair, the largest and oldest amusement fair in Switzerland. Held across the entire city with a larger amusement rides near Messe and Kaserne, a wonderful ferris wheel and small rides in Munsterplatz. Also, during the Herbstmesse in the fall you Petersplatz full of park rides, horses, marionette theater, and last but certainly not least, the home all the Robispiel Game city. For all children aged 3 to 13 years. Admission: Children Fr 6 - per hour Adults (accompanying person) : Fr 2 - per hour. |
NOVEMBER
Herbstmesse | Basel Various
The Basel Autumn Fair, the largest and oldest amusement fair in Switzerland. Held across the entire city with a larger amusement rides near Messe and Kaserne, a wonderful ferris wheel and small rides in Munsterplatz. Also, during the Herbstmesse in the fall you Petersplatz full of park rides, horses, marionette theater, and last but certainly not least, the home all the Robispiel Game city. For all children aged 3 to 13 years. Admission: Children Fr 6 - per hour Adults (accompanying person) : Fr 2 - per hour. |
DECEMBER
Wiehnachts Drämmli | Schifflande Basel
Children aged of 4 - 10 years are cared for by Santa and his helper while driving around the city for about an hour's drive. Stories are told and treats are consumed on this special kids only journey. Start and finish: Schifflände (fish market well) Travel time: 65 min. Fare: free Tickets: Pro inner city |
Harley Niggi-Näggi | Basel Marktplatz
Santa Clauses drive motorcycles decorated with lights through the center of town. They end at the Marktplatz at 5 p.m where they hand out gifts to children. Adults can buy mulled wine or punch with proceeds going to charity. It gets very crowded so if you'd only like to get a nice look there is always space along Spalenberg where they drive by on the way into town. |
Adväntsgass | Basel Rheingasse
Christmas atmosphere with food and drinks along Rheingasse |
Christmas Market | Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz
The best places to visit with Children is would be the forest on the Münsterplatz, children can make, pour and decorate candles, make torches, forge metal objects, decorate gingerbread, eat campfire bread and drink hot chocolate, ride on the kiddies’ train, bake cookies, pour tin, visit the star workshop, make Christmas floral decorations, have a go on the wheel of fortune, mint coins and much more besides. |
New Years Even @ Munster and Fireworks over the Rhine | Basel
Every year you can watch the impressive New Year's Eve fireworks over the Rhine. They start around 23:30. The Münsterplatz offers a celebration in a pleasant atmosphere where at Midnight everybody opens his own Champagne, very nice ambiance. After the annual concert of the city trombone choir, the New Year's Eve service takes place in Münster. Also, different stalls on the banks of the Rhine give free mulled wine between 23.00 and 1.00 clock. |