Basel Carnival [Fasnacht] Feb 2023

 I’ve never been to Carnival in Rio or New Orleans but I imagine it to be loud, fun and full of Mardi Gras revelers.

Thanks to Sandra (sister of Clivia) we got to experience a real local Switzerland carnival!

We took a 10 minute train ride to Liestal to see the fire parade, Kienbase. All the lights in the town go out and it is a beautiful fire torch parade. Quite a spectacle with hot hot fire right near us. The fire marshal’s actually push you back so you don’t burn. Some parade watchers brought sausages and marshmallows on a stick to roast as the floats go by.

“The picturesque Sunday evening torchlight procession originates from an ancient act of worship for the final shifting of winter. With the burning of a large pile of wood (called Wallemaa) on the castle Hill, the power of the “winter is broken and with the glowing torches the warming power of the sun is carried from the bonfire into the dark valley. “ Theo Studin, traffic & beautification association  

We were back in our hotel by nine and had to be back in the lobby at 3 AM for coffee and croissants in order to make it to the 4 AM start of the parade. After walking to the center of Basel we found a good parade spot and poof, all the lights in the city go out at 4 AM for the start of the beautiful lantern parade. Some of the floats have political messages, others are just works of art. We walked through the small winding streets after a while where we got to walk alongside the bands. That was my favorite part.

Street lights go out, total darkness so the lanterns can illuminate

Below is 1 of my favs that we saw a few times as we walked the streets, mobs of people  lamps on heads 😀

Click here if you can’t view the video: 4am Morgenstreich Lantern Parade

We ate the traditional onion and cheese pie (like quiche) and flour soup in a colorfully lit tavern. So much fun to be amongst the locals.

After walking back to the hotel we had a short nap and headed out again for a great lunch. Then the afternoon parade began! What a fun time with the floats passing by throwing candy, oranges, fruits and confetti all over the revelers.

Look how happy this kid is to get candy!

I got drenched with confetti! The other guy in the float then gave me flowers because he felt sorry for me. It was really sweet there were a bunch of seniors in wheelchairs next to us and everyone who caught flowers and oranges gave them to the seniors.

Fife & drums & brass! Have a listen!

We had a great time, thanks Sandra!