From 28th November to 23rd December 2024

The Basel Christmas market has been voted the winner of the European Best Christmas Markets. Basel will therefore host the most popular Christmas market in Europe in 2024.

Basel Christmas Market is one of the Best Christmas Markets in Switzerland, it is also ranked among your Best Christmas Lights Destinations in Europe with Vienna Christmas Market and Budapest Christmas Market.

Basel has a deep-rooted tradition as Switzerland’s most beautiful and largest Christmas city, and is well worth a visit every year. Not only the well-preserved Old Town is radiant in the warm Christmas light, but the shops and the facades of many buildings glitter with a golden glow. Roughly a hundred tall pine trees border the streets and stand like brightly lit sentinels pointing the way for the visitor. 

Particularly recommended is the Christmas market, which is being held right in the centre of the city and at the heart of the festively decorated Old Town. The Basel Christmas Market can be found on Barfüsserplatz and on Münsterplatz – one of the most beautiful squares in Basel. A magnificent Christmas tree stands on Münsterplatz, with ornaments by the well-known decorator Johann Wanner.

In 2024 around 130 traders and artisans will offer their goods for sale in small, rustic wooden chalets. Anyone still looking for gift ideas can seek inspiration in the wide selection and enchanting ambience. The market is enriched by numerous pre-Christmas events. 

A popular meeting point at the Basel Christmas market is the Christmas pyramid. With its 13 meters in height, it is visible from afar and the attractive range of hot drinks invites guests to stay and enjoy. Also numerous other stands offer culinary delights such as waffles, genuine Basel Läckerli, delicious Swiss raclette or the popular grilled sausages. 

Every year during the Advent period, the Basel Cathedral is offering a unique view across the Christmas lights in the Old Town. From Monday to Friday, the stairwell of St. Martin’s tower is illuminated in the evening between 4 and 6 pm.

As the sun sets over the banks of the Rhine in Basel during December, the water surface reflects not only the shining light of the street lamps, but also those of the Klingental ferry. In the run-up to Christmas, the ferry is transformed into an enchanting Christmas ferry. 

At Johann Wanner’s on Spalenberg, you can find everything for a perfect Christmas over 5000 square feet – all year round! Celebrities from all over the world buy their Christmas decorations at Wanner’s.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Rheingasse transforms into Adväntsgass im Glaibasel. This neighbourhood Christmas market in Kleinbasel is perfect for those who want more from the pre-Christmas period than just bargain hunting. There is of course plenty to eat as well, including a delicious cheese fondue served in cosy ski gondolas.

The traditional Basel Wish Book usually is openly accessible in the inner courtyard of the Town Hall for all members of the public – both local residents and visitors from around the world – to add their Advent wishes. Over the entire Christmas period and into the new year visitors can fill the book with their private thoughts, wish-lists for Santa Claus and hopes for peace, love and good health. Unfortunately the traditional Basel wish Book is not available in 2021.