Car­ni­val in Basel 2023

Only a few more days until "Frau Fasnacht" marches through the streets and alleys of Basel. Until early Monday morning at 04:00 sharp the Morgestraich begins. Until Basel turns from total darkness into a bright sea of lanterns and turns upside down for three days.

Many Coopers are looking forward to the "drey scheenschte Dääg"; both local and newly arrived colleagues are excited about the world's unique hustle and bustle in their (adopted) home town of Basel. Our dear colleague Jessi has been an active musician in a clique for years and already sold plenty of Blaggedden in the team – there is no obligation to buy one, but having a Blaggedde is a matter of honor, since the proceeds subsidize the carnival.

The most important dates of the Carnival in Basel 2023 at a glance:

Morgestraich

When: Monday, 27.02.2023, 04:00 am
Where: Marktplatz

Cortège

When: Monday, 26.02.2023 & Wednesday, 01.03.2023, 1:30 to 6:00 pm
Where :There is no set starting point; the Carnival Committee designates locations along the route where cliques can start. For example: Mittlere Brücke, Wettsteinbrücke, Barfüsserplatz, Marktplatz or Wettsteinplatz. Click here for the detailed route.

Kinderfasnacht (Children's Carnival)

When: Tuesday, 28.02.2023, 1:30 – 6:00 pm
Where: Colorful hustle and bustle throughout downtown.

Gugge music concerts

When: Tuesday, 28.02.2023, as of 6:30 pm
Where: The Sternmarsch starts at the Messeplatz and leads along Clarastrasse to the three large squares Barfüsserplatz, Marktplatz and Claraplatz. There, Guggen concerts will take place (until approximately 11:00 pm).

Schnitzelbängg

When: Monday, 27.02.2023 to Wednesday, 01.03.2023
Where: Monday and Wednesday in restaurants and theaters; Tuesday in clique cellars and private rooms; click here for the program.

Lantern exhibition

When: Monday, 27.02.2023 to Wednesday, 01.03.2023
Where: Marktplatz
Anyone who wants to marvel at the artistic lanterns of the cliques can do so from Monday evening on the market square. Especially after dark a great sight.

Ändstraich

When: Thursday, 02.03.2023, 04:00 am
Where: Cliques and Guggen go to traditional meeting sites to play a last tune. It is the end of Fasnacht 2023 and the start of the anticipation for Fasnacht 2024.

The detailed program of Carnival in Basel 2023 is available here.

Here is a brief carnival dictionary for you explaining the most important Swiss German expressions.

Blaggedde: Brooch made of bronze, silver, or gold. Every year there is a different design on the theme (sujet) of Fasnacht.

Chaise: A carriage pulled by two steeds. Two people dressed as old ladies sit in the carriage and give a flower or sweets to selected spectators.

Clique: A group of pipers and drummers.

Cortège: This is the official parade that takes place on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

Gässle: To walk from one clique cellar to another in the alleys of the old town.

Gugge: This is a group of musicians who set the mood with brass and percussion instruments.

Ladärne: Lantern with the current theme (sujet) of the clique. The lanterns are displayed on the Münsterplatz from Monday evening to Wednesday morning.

Larve: The large heads under which the Fasnächtler:innen are. Better to not call it "masks".

Morgestraich: The official start of the carnival on Monday at 04:00 am. All the lights of the city go out and the cliques start playing their marches.

Mählsuppe: This traditional dish is served everywhere during the whole carnival.

Räppli: This is what the people of Basel call the small pieces of paper that are thrown into the air during Carnival. Better not call them "confetti"!

Schnitzelbangg: A core element of Carnival in Basel: word artists perform their sarcastic mocking rhymes about politics, society and world events with sharp-tongued humor in Basel-German.

Waggis: People dressed up in a blue shirt, white pants, and a red scarf. They also wear a typical Larve, have wooden shoes on and throw sweets and oranges from their waggon.

Zeedel: Colored paper which is handed out after the Schnitzelbangg performances or by the cliques during the parade.

The Carnival in Basel is both UNESCO World Heritage and the largest carnival in Switzerland. But of course, other places in Switzerland also celebrate to the fullest. Like here:

• Carnival in Bern 2023
  Thursday, 23.02.2023 to Saturday, 25.02.2023
  Find the detailed program of the Carnival in Bern 2023 here.

• ZüriCarneval
  Friday, 24.02.2023 to Sunday, 26.02.2023
  Find the detailed program of the ZüriCarneval 2023 with the theme „Zrugg und bunter den je“ here.

• Brandons de Moudon (Waadt)
  Thursday, 09.03.2023 to Sunday, 12.03.2023
  Find the detailed program of the Brandons de Moudon 2023 with the theme „Vikings“ here.

Wherever you celebrate the carnival – have fun and an awesome, crazy, unforgettable time!

Your Coopers Family

#ingoodcompany