Basel's Fasnacht (carnival) has been recognized by UNESCO as an element of intangible cultural heritage.
Fasnacht is part of the city's identity and is at the heart of its creative energies when, over three days, the city goes 'wild'
Fasnacht is a blend of anarchical chaos and well organized large-scale events :
Morgenstreich
Morgestraich starts carnival at 4am on the Monday after Ash Wednesday with the ""
All lights in the city centre are switched off, over 200 Carnival themes (sujets) painted on lanterns start glowing in the dark, and hundreds of drummers and piccolo-players to strike up the same march.
Lantern exhibition
The lanterns are then placed on the Münsterplatz from Monday evening to Wednesday morning.
Cortège
On the Monday and Wednesday, starting at 1.30 pm, around 12,000 Carnival participants take part in the popular Carnival procession known as the Cortège.
The cliques, Gugge brass bands and other participants march or ride on floats past the many thousands of spectators.
Guggenkonzert
Tuesday evening is all about the Gugge music bands.
At 6.30 pm the "Sternenmarsch" begins – a long procession of Gugge music bands that converge from different directions (hence the name "star-shaped march) and make their way from the trade fair (Messe) via Clarastrasse to the market square (Marktplatz) or Barfüsserplatz.
Large stages are erected there for the musicians to present their songs to the Carnival audience.
Kinderfasnacht
On the second day of the Carnival in Basel, hundreds of children continue the tradition of taking part, individually or in groups, in a light-hearted parade.