Parades, music and good food come together to create Carnival, the largest festival in Switzerland. Carnival, or Fasnacht, is celebrated in Basel over a three-day period during the beginning of Lent. The festival starts early on the Monday morning following Mardi Gras when all lights in the city are turned off for the procession of lanterns, which kicks off the three day party to come. People from all over the country and the rest of Europe descend on Basel to join in the celebration, which goes on 24 hours a day.
Carnival (Fasnacht) Visitor Information
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Vogel Gryff is an age-old tradition in Basel, dating from the 13th century, which marks the beginning of the carnival season. Many pagan traditions and rituals have been incorporated into the festival, making it an eccentric and entertaining event to witness. The festival is named after the heraldic figures of the old city, the Vogel Gryff, or eagle, the lion and the wild man. Images of these figures are paraded through the street, stopping at each door to collect coins from store owners. Bonfires, feasts and costume parades are all important aspects of the festival, which takes place during the last week of January.
Vogel Gryff Visitor Information
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Swiss National Day on Aug. 1 in Basel is dominated by water sports that take place on the Rhine River. Over 100,000 people annually descend on the city to witness the water sports and boat parades, as well as to browse through the festival booths set up along the riverfront. Fireworks displays light up the night during the festival, which takes place one day earlier in Basel than in the rest of Switzerland in order to allow visitors from all over the country to participate in their celebration, as well as the visitor's home celebrations. Speeches and award presentations also take place during the celebration, as a way of honoring good citizens.
Swiss National Day Visitor Information
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