City Festivals
New Years Eve on Münsterplatz
To
the sound of celebratory trumpet melodies and before a spectacular display of fireworks over the River
Rhine, many people see out the old year and see in the new year on Münsterplatz. Everybody brings their
own glasses and champagne to raise a toast with everybody else.
Vogel
Gryff
This Kleinbasel festival taking place in January on the north
side of the Rhine marks the start of the carnival season. The so-called ‘Vogel Gryff’ (Eagle), Lion
and Wild Man are the heraldic symbols of the three Honorary Societies of Kleinbasel. At about 11 a.m.
the Wild Man boards a river raft. Floating down the Rhine, he pays homage to Kleinbasel with a special
dance. Below the Mittlere Rheinbrücke he is met by the Vogel Gryff and the Lion. The three heraldic
symbols then parade their special dances through the streets of Kleinbasel. The ritual, which derives
from military inspections, has been performed since 1838.
City
festivals
Before the summer holidays the first big festivals take
place on the squares of Basel’s city centre. Among them the biannual Jugendkulturfestival
(Youth Festival). For a weekend, thousands of children and teenagers perform their music and their dances
on several stages in the city centre.
Swiss national day
celebrations on the Rhine
The Swiss national day also falls within the holiday period, on 1st August. In Basel, celebrations actually begin the day before: over 100'000 people come to watch the water sports events on the Rhine, to visit the festival stands along the banks of the river and on the Mittlere Brücke, and to admire the magnificent fireworks display at night. The various events and speeches held on the evening of 1st August itself are more reflective in nature.
