Basel Christmas Market © French Moments
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Last Updated: 17 October 2024

The Basel Christmas Market is one of the highlights of my holiday travels, and it’s no surprise that it’s Switzerland’s largest festive market.

Nestled on the border with France, the Swiss city of Basel (or Basle) offers a magical blend of local traditions and Christmas charm.

Just a short journey from Mulhouse, France, you’ll be greeted by the beautifully decorated chalets of the Basel Christmas Market, the magnificent Christmas tree on the Marktplatz, and twinkling lights throughout the historic old town.

The atmosphere is irresistible, with the delightful scents of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and Basler Läckerli filling the air.

If you’re seeking an enchanting Christmas experience, Basel is a destination not to be missed.

 

The Basel Christmas market in Switzerland

The Basel Christmas market takes place in two sites in the historical centre: Barfüsserplatz and the Münsterplatz.

With 180 stallholders, Switzerland’s largest Christmas market is renowned for being one of the country’s most traditional markets.

During the four weeks of Advent, it welcomes over a million visitors: people from Basel and tourists from Switzerland and the neighbouring countries of France and Germany.

Alongside the Christmas markets of Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Colmar, Heidelberg, and Freiburg im Breisgau, the city of Basel shares the traditional Christmas values specific to the Rhineland.

Basel Christmas Market
The Christmas market in the Barfüssergasse © French Moments

At the Basel Christmas market, you will find many stalls selling great Christmas presents and decorations ideas.

Gastronomic dishes are essential features of the market: waffles, gingerbread and lockers, mulled wine, grilled sausages and Swiss raclette.

Without forgetting Swiss chocolate!

 

The Christmas market on the cathedral square

Basel Christmas Market
Basel Cathedral and the great Christmas tree © French Moments

As its name suggests, the Cathedral Square (Münsterplatz) is bordered by the impressive Gothic cathedral of Basel (Basler Münster).

In the Middle Ages, builders used blocks of pink sandstone to construct the sanctuary.

During Advent, a glittering Christmas tree stands in front of the cathedral.

The Christmas market includes about 40 little chalets.

It is located at the centre of the square under horse chestnut and myriad twinkling stars.

Basel Christmas Market
The Christmas market in the MünsterPlatz, Basel © French Moments

Each year, Cathedral Square hosts the Enchanted Forest of Christmas, much to the delight of children.

The forest offers various activities: creating and decorating candles and baubles, cooking and decorating biscuits and gingerbread, and making torchlight. 

There is also a Swiss tree nursery that sells Christmas trees.

 

The Christmas market on the Barfüsserplatz

Basel Christmas Market
The Christmas market in the Barfüsserplatz © French Moments

The Barfüsserplatz (or Barfi as called by the people of Basel) is situated in the very centre of the city.

The square is bordered by the former Franciscan Church (Barfüsserkirche), today the Historic Museum of Basel.

About 140 chalets make up the Christmas market.

The rustic chalets made of wood occupy the whole square and surround the church (Barfüssergasse and Theatre Passage).

There are a few rides for children.

 

The gastronomic market of the Claraplatz

A small Christmas market devoted to gourmet food is situated on the Claraplatz in the Little Basel district (right bank of the Rhine).

 

Christmas lights in Basel

Basel Christmas Market
Christmas lights in the Freie Strasse, Basel © French Moments

If you take the time to stroll in the streets of the old town, you will discover many Christmas trees, beautifully decorated shop windows, and strings of light hanging above the streets.

Basel Christmas Market
Basel City Hall and the great Christmas tree © French Moments

Don’t miss the Market Square (Marktplatz), which is bordered by the impressive red-coloured City Hall.

During Advent, a great Christmas tree stands in the centre of the square.

 

Practical info about the Basel Christmas market

Basel Christmas Market
The Christmas market in the Barfüsserplatz © French Moments

The city of Basel is renowned for the magical atmosphere of its Christmas market.

More than one million visitors attend the market each year.

 

Getting there by car

  • The city of Basel is situated:
    • 35 km from Mulhouse (A35)
    • 140 km from Strasbourg (A35)
    • 250 km from Dijon (A36 and A35).
    • 410 km from Lyon (A39, A36 and A35)
    • Paris is located 500 km from Basel (A5, N19, A36 and A35)

 

Getting there by rail

 

For more info about the Basel Christmas market (dates, opening hours, access, stall holders, concerts), visit the official site of the event.

Did you like what you read? If so, please share this article on social media (Facebook, X, …) Merci 🙂

 

Photo Gallery

Here are a few photos we took on our last visit to the Basel Christmas market:

Basel Christmas Market
The Christmas market in the Barfüsserplatz © French Moments
Basel Christmas Market
The Christmas market in the Barfüsserplatz © French Moments
Basel Christmas Market
In the Barfüssergasse © French Moments
Basel Christmas Market
The Christmas market in the MünsterPlatz, Basel © French Moments
Basel Christmas Market
MünsterPlatz, Basel © French Moments
Basel Christmas Market
In the old town centre of Basel © French Moments
Basel Christmas Market
Basel City Hall and the great Christmas tree © French Moments
Basel Christmas Market
Nativity scene in Basel © French Moments
Basel Christmas Market
The great Christmas tree in the MünsterPlatz © French Moments
Basel Christmas Market
The grand Christmas tree in the MünsterPlatz, Basel © French Moments
Christmas in Paris ebook
Journey to the Land of Christmas
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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