The Basler Weihnachtsmarkt is the best and biggest Christmas market in Switzerland and draws visitors from nearby Germany and France to Basel — the market is open for Advent 2024.
The Swiss city of Basel, which lies on the border with France and Germany, arguably has the best and largest Christmas market in all of Switzerland. The Basler Weihnachtsmarkt has the atmosphere and attractions that made German Christmas markets popular all over the world. During the whole advent period, the two large Christmas markets in old town Basel are further enhanced by beautifully decorated streets, shop windows, and private residences.
In 2024, the Basel Christmas markets are open from November 28 to December 23, 2024, daily from 11:00 to 20:30 on Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz (closing early evening on the 23rd).
Basel Christmas Market in Switzerland — Open in Advent 2024
Basel has three main Christmas markets: the largest is on Barfüsserplatz in the old town, a further large market next to the cathedral on Münsterplatz, and a smaller market on the right bank of the Rhine on Claraplatz. These markets are within easy walking distance of each other and in between Basel impresses with beautifully decorated shop windows and buildings.
Basler Weihnachtsmarkt on Barfüsserplatz
The Basler Weihnachtsmarkt on Barfüsserplatz adjacent to the main shopping streets of central Basel is the largest and busiest Christmas market in the city. Here around 140 stalls sell Christmas-related crafts and items as well as a range of food and drink. Artists are often at work and happy to answer questions. Stalls are fairly tightly packed in places making the market feel crowded even when not particularly busy.
A wide range of food is available, including typical Swiss specialties such as raclette (melted cheese) with potatoes and Flammkuchen (like thin pizza) from neighboring Alsace. Sausages, potato cakes, pancakes, waffles, and other baked items are very popular too. Glühwein comes in many varieties while non-alcoholic drinks are also served.
Weihnachtsmarkt on Münsterplatz
The second large Christmas Market in Basel is the Weihnachtsmarkt on Münsterplatz. Here around 40 stalls offer Christmas wares. The spacing here is more generous and the square is completely flat making it easier to navigate for families with strollers.
From the square, travelers have wonderful views not only of the lovely Romanesque-Gothic Basel Minster but also of the Rhine River. (Find the elephants on the outside of the choir of the Minster church facing the Rhine!)
Christmas Food Mile in Kleinbasel
A smaller Christmas market is located on the opposite side of the Rhine River on Claraplatz in Kleinbasel. In addition, the Rheingasse street (roughly between Mittlere Brücke and Wittsteinbrücke) transforms into the Christmas food mile (Adväntgass im Glaibasel).
The market and food stands here at Claraplatz have later opening hours – weekdays from 17:00 to 22:00, Saturdays from 14:00 to 22:00, and Sundays from 14:00 to 20:00.
Christmas in Basel, Switzerland
The advent period is a beautiful time of the year to visit Basel. In addition to the Christmas markets, most shops have beautifully decorated windows while many streets have special Christmas lighting too. Tall Christmas trees adorn many public squares with particularly large ones inside the red Rathaus courtyard and in front of the Basel Cathedral.
Basel has 40 museums – many arrange special events during the Advent period. The Kunstmuseum has a large art collection of astonishing quality while the very special Museum Tinguely is worth the stroll (or bus ride) from the city center. The Foundation Beyler often stages world-class art exhibitions worthy of a journey. Music, not necessarily religious in nature, can be enjoyed in many churches and theaters throughout the city.
Basel is a prosperous city and therefore relatively expensive, as is clear from the high-class shops that predominate its main shopping streets. Ironically, and fairly helpful for the budget, Basel Airport (BSL) is popular with low-cost airlines with many cheap flights from European cities. Getting to Basel Airport is fast and cheap by public transportation too. Very good railway connections are available to all parts of Switzerland, southern Germany, and the Alsace region of France. TGV Lyria trains go all the way to Paris.
The best Christmas market in French-speaking Switzerland is the Marché de Noël in Montreux, by far the best of the Christmas markets in the Lake Geneva region.
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