christmas market

Do you remember your first Christmas in Basel?

What stands out the most? Strolling through the stalls of the Christmas Market for the first time? Hot raclette on a cold December night? The smell of spicy mulled wine, a favourite ornament that still hangs on your tree, your first taste of Swiss gingerbread, the white lights across the Rhein?

Whatever your most memorable part of the season, it’s all starting this weekend with the grand opening of Basler Weihnachtsmarkt 2013…

The Basel Christmas Market, the largest in Switzerland, runs from 28 November to 23 December, kicking off with the annual lighting ceremony at Münsterplatz. Governing President of Basel-Stadt Dr. Guy Morin will begin the ceremony, which will feature the Musik Akademie Basel and Theater Basel’s Extra-Chor. Enjoy live Christmas music while you warm up with free refreshments!

The Christmas Market extends over Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz with more than 100 stands and stalls—handmade crafts, ornaments, scarves, specialty soaps, toys, and more, along with Christmas treats from Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars) to chocolate truffles to sausages and chäschüechli (cheese pie).

A few favourites of the Christmas season are the annual Stadtlauf on 30 November, a run through Basel’s festive streets past Christmas lights and decorated shop windows; the Basel Wish Book at Town Hall, where guests from all over the world can record their wishes and hopes for the coming year; and the Basel Theater Advent Calendar, when every night during advent, the theater’s foyer opens up for a literary or musical surprise.

Other events to look forward to are the Snow White ballet, Santa Clauses on Harleys, the Christmas Tattoo, a carol sing, a tower night climb at the Münster, and lots more. Also, don’t forget to stop by the Spielzeug Welten Museum for this year’s window display and a special Christmas exhibition—Christmas, Sweet and Crunchy, where you can try holiday cakes and cookies from all over the world.

With a perfect balance of tradition and innovation, there’s always a chance to revisit your best-loved memories or try something completely new, whether you’ve been in Basel for one season or twenty.

Stop by www.basel.com for more info and an online brochure.

Barfüsserplatz photo by basel.com

Take a deep breath, look around you, and you’ll know there’s only one time of year it could possibly be. It’s Christmas again! The excitement in the air, nights sparkling with all colours of lights, shop windows all decked out…Basel is dressed its best and ready to celebrate.

The Basler Weihnachtsmarkt, the oldest Christmas market in Switzerland, runs until 23 December with festive music, gifts, and delicious holiday refreshments. Kicking off with a spectacular opening ceremony at Münsterplatz, 22 November at 18:30, the Christmas lights will be lit by President Dr. Guy Morin to the musical backdrop of Knabenmusik Basel and the Basel Theater Extra-Chor. Free refreshments are provided, so you can warm up with hot tea and mulled wine as you walk the city streets soaking up the start of a brilliant season.

This year brings some exciting new things to look forward to as well—it will be the second year for Münsterplatz to host its own special Christmas Market, and starting 29 November, children can even make their own Christmas gifts for family and friends at the Robi-Spiel areas. More events to watch out for are the Basel City Run, We Will Rock You musical (by Queen and Ben Elton), numerous Christmas concerts, “The Emperor of China and the Christmas Story” presentation at the Basler Marionetten Theater, and lots more for all ages.

And most of all, what would Christmas be without hope? Join people from all over the world in adding your Christmas wishes for this year and the next in the Basel Wish Book at Town Hall.

Click here for more details about Weihnachtsmarkt in Basel!

So now, with the season around us and the new year just ahead, it’s hard to believe it’s been another year already. For us at Basel Community, Christmas marks the one year anniversary of our site. It’s been an exciting year for Basel, for us, and we hope it has been for you too! Let us know how you’re doing—your favorite memories of Basel at Christmas, your Weihnachtsmarkt must-dos, what you feel and see as you go about the city this year…we always love hearing from you. From all of us at Basel Community, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

For more information and a complete list of everything you can expect this year at the Weihnachtsmarkt, visit http://www.basel.com/en/christmas-basel-–-winter-fairy-tale.

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