Christmas Markets in Basel – Switzerland 2025

Background & History

The Basel Christmas Market, known as Basler Weihnacht, began in 1978 with just 35 stalls on Claraplatz, initially privately organized before the city took over in 1979. Now one of Switzerland’s largest and most celebrated, it attracts over 900,000 visitors annually. Held in Basel’s historic Old Town, the market spans Barfüsserplatz, Münsterplatz, and Claraplatz, offering a magical blend of tradition and festivity.

Voted Europe’s Best Christmas Market in 2021 by European Best Destinations, it features over 150 rustic wooden chalets with artisans and traders selling handmade gifts and Swiss delicacies. The festival reflects Basel’s cultural heritage, with its proximity to France and Germany adding a unique tri-national charm.

Event Highlights

• Basel Wish Book: Located in the City Hall’s courtyard (Marktplatz 9), visitors can write holiday wishes in a giant book, a 25-year tradition preserved in the State Archives, with approximately 20,000 entries annually.
• Christmas Pyramid: A 13-meter-tall structure on Barfüsserplatz, serving mulled wine and hot drinks, a central meeting point visible from afar.
• Fairytale Forest (Märchenwald): A children’s area on Münsterplatz with activities like candle-making, cookie-baking, and metal forging, perfect for families.
• St. Martin’s Tower View: From December 4–22, 2025, climb the Basel Cathedral’s tower (Monday–Friday, 4:00 PM–6:00 PM) for a panoramic view of the Old Town’s lights ($6 USD per person, groups of 2+ only).
• Adväntsgass im Glaibasel: A cozy food-focused market on Rheingasse in Kleinbasel, featuring food trucks and stalls with festive treats.

Date & Duration

Dates: November 27 – December 23, 2025
Duration: 27 days
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM–8:30 PM (Barfüsserplatz and Claraplatz close at 8:00 PM on December 23, Münsterplatz at 6:00 PM)

Venue / Location

Main Address: Barfüsserplatz, 4051 Basel, Switzerland (central hub with the Christmas pyramid and most stalls).
Additional Locations: All markets are in the city of Basel, Switzerland, at the following venues:

• Münsterplatz: 4051 Basel, Switzerland (near Basel Cathedral, featuring the Christmas tree and Fairytale Forest)
• Claraplatz: 4058 Basel, Switzerland (Alpine cabin and food-focused stalls)
• Adväntsgass im Glaibasel: Rheingasse, 4058 Basel, Switzerland (neighborhood food market)
  City and Country: Basel, Switzerland

Contact Information

Email: info@basel.com
Phone: +41 61 268 68 68 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM)
Address: Basel Tourism, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
Website: basel.com
Social Media: baselswitzerland (Instagram), #thisisbasel

Ticket Information

• General Admission: Free entry to all market locations (Barfüsserplatz, Münsterplatz, Claraplatz, and Adväntsgass im Glaibasel).
• St. Martin’s Tower: $6 USD (6 CHF) per person, available Monday–Friday, 4:00 PM–5:30 PM (last entry), for groups of 2 or more. Tickets purchased on-site at Basel Cathedral (Münsterplatz).
• Reservations: Not required for market access, but advised for tower visits during peak times due to limited capacity.

Cultural Experience

The Basel Christmas Markets immerse visitors in Swiss holiday traditions within the historic Old Town, framed by the Rhine River and Basel’s iconic red sandstone architecture. The markets blend local craftsmanship with international influences, offering handmade gifts like silk scarves from Yves Born (a vendor since 1978) and Russian handicrafts. Culinary highlights include Basel Läckerli (honey gingerbread with candied fruit) and flame-grilled salmon cooked Finnish-style. The Basel Wish Book at City Hall fosters a global sense of community, with wishes written in multiple languages. The festive atmosphere is enhanced by twinkling lights, a towering Christmas tree on Münsterplatz, and the illuminated Mittlere Brücke connecting Grossbasel to Kleinbasel.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties: Enjoy mulled wine ($5–$8 USD, served in souvenir mugs with a refundable deposit), Swiss raclette ($8–$12 USD), and Basel Läckerli from Läckerli Huus ($5–$15 USD). Claraplatz’s Alpine cabin offers fondue-filled baguettes (Chäsbängel, $10–$15 USD) and vegan fondue options. Feuerzangenbowle, a rum-infused punch, is a highlight at Barfüsserplatz ($6–$10 USD).
• Additional Options: Nearby confectioneries like Läderach (Marktplatz 9) sell Swiss chocolates ($2–$10 USD), and Old Town restaurants offer Christmas-inspired dishes like fondue and Cordon Bleu ($15–$30 USD).

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: The Fairytale Forest on Münsterplatz provides kid-friendly workshops (candle-making, cookie-baking, $5–$10 USD) and a small train ride. Family events are free, with activities suitable for all ages.
• Accessibility: Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz are accessible, but cobblestone streets may challenge wheelchair users. Claraplatz’s Alpine cabin has flat access. Basel’s trams and buses, covered by free transport cards with hotel stays, are wheelchair-equipped. St. Martin’s Tower is not accessible due to the stairs.

Getting There

• By Air: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH), 6 km from Basel, offers flights from major European cities. Airport buses (line 50) to Basel SBB station cost ~$4 USD (10 minutes).
• Public Transport: From Basel SBB station, take tram 2 (direction Riehen Grenze) to Kunstmuseum stop for Münsterplatz (5 minutes), then walk to Barfüsserplatz (300m). Claraplatz is accessible via tram 8 to the Claraplatz stop. Free transport cards are provided with hotel bookings.
• Parking: Limited in the Old Town; use Parking Elisabethen (Steinenberg 14, 4051 Basel, ~$2–$4 USD/hour) or Parking Anfos (Klingelbergstrasse 20, 4056 Basel).
• Traffic Restrictions: Expect closures around Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz during peak market hours. Check basel.com for updates.

Notable Stalls

• Kulpa Weihnachtskugeln: Located in Barfüssergasse, this stall offers hand-painted Christmas baubles featuring Basel landmarks like the Roche Tower and Spalentor ($5–$20 USD).
• Feuerzangenbowle: Hans-Rudolf Liechti’s Black Forest-style stall on Barfüsserplatz serves rum-soaked punch ($6–$10 USD).
• Flame-Grilled Salmon: Hugo Levy’s Münsterplatz stall prepares Scandinavian-style salmon over beechwood fire ($10–$15 USD).

Additional Activities

• Magical Courtyards Tour: Basel’s courtyards, like those at Volkshaus (Rebgasse 12, 4058 Basel) and Teufelhof (Leonhardsgraben 47, 4051 Basel), are adorned with festive lights and seating, offering cozy retreats ($0–$5 USD for drinks).
• Basel Cathedral (Münster): Free entry to the cathedral (Münsterplatz), with historical exhibits and a scenic Pfalz terrace overlooking the Rhine.
• Rheinfähre: Take a short Rhine ferry ride from Münsterplatz to Kleinbasel ($2–$4 USD), offering views of the illuminated Mittlere Brücke.

Additional Services

• Information Booths: Available at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz for maps and guidance, staffed by Basel Tourism.
• Souvenirs: Purchase market mugs, Läckerli, or baubles at stalls or shops like Läderach (Marktplatz 9, $2–$20 USD).
• Guided Tours: Free Old Town walking tours with market focus, bookable via basel.com ($0–$10 USD donations).
• Photography: Share photos with #thisisbasel for a chance to be featured on BaselSwitzerland’s Instagram.