Best Family Christmas Activities in Basel 2025: Markets, Music & Winter Fun
- Nikolett Mayer
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Now that Halloween and the peak fall season are behind us, it finally feels right to start planning our festive and family Christmas activities in Basel for 2025. I always find this time of year so exciting with so many activities. The city begins to glow with lights, and the first hints of Christmas magic appear as early as mid-November.
What might surprise you (it definitely surprised me at first!) is that Basel’s Christmas market and most outdoor events run only until 23 December, basically right up until the last day of Advent. After that, things quiet down dramatically. Between Christmas and New Year, the city feels almost peaceful, as if everyone has escaped to the mountains for skiing, snowboarding, or simply enjoying the snow. Honestly, I can’t blame them; there’s nothing more magical than spending those days surrounded by winter landscapes.
Whether you live here or are just visiting, there are so many wonderful ways for you and your family to celebrate the season together. Here’s your guide to the most heartwarming things to do in Basel this Christmas: indoors, outdoors, and everywhere in between.
Outdoor Christmas Activities in Basel
This is our annual Christmas tradition, and we absolutely love it. If you`re team real Christmas tree, head out to Mathis Hof in Bottmingen. You can wander through rows of pine trees and cut your own Christmas tree on the second weekend of Advent.
This is something that our daughter absolutely loves, and I believe yours would do it.
Once you’ve picked your tree, warm up by the bonfire with some homemade goodies from the farm shop, and don’t forget to say hi to the cows! It’s such a charming way to end the day and make your whole home smell like Christmas.
Wrap up in cozy scarves and glide together at Kunsteisbahn Margarethen, Basel’s favorite outdoor ice rink. Located in Im Margarethenpark, this charming spot offers two rinks, one open-air and one covered, so you can skate even if it snows. Families love the cheerful music, friendly crowd, and the festive lights that make every glide feel magical.
You can rent skates on-site for around CHF 5, and entry costs about CHF 7.50 for adults and CHF 3 for children. A small café nearby serves warm drinks and snacks, perfect for a hot chocolate break after skating.
If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, visit on weekday mornings or evenings. Whether you’re skating hand-in-hand or watching the kids take their first spins, Margarethenpark offers pure winter joy right in the heart of Basel.
Start the festive season full of energy at the Basel Stadtlauf on 22 November 2025, the city’s beloved night run through the twinkling streets of the Old Town. This iconic event has been a Basel tradition since 1983, marking the unofficial start of the Christmas season. Runners of all ages race past the glowing Christmas lights on Freie Strasse, across the historic Mittlere Brücke, and finish at the beautifully decorated Marktplatz.
The atmosphere is pure magic, cheerful crowds line the streets, bells jingle, and the scent of roasted nuts and mulled wine fills the air. Families, students, and even grandparents join in, proving that this event is about community and joy more than competition.
Even if you’re not running, it’s a wonderful evening to cheer, sip hot chocolate, and soak in the festive buzz of Christmas in Basel 2025. This year, my husband and daughter will be running together to kick off the season in a truly active Swiss way.
You simply can’t experience Christmas in Basel 2025 without visiting its magical
Christmas markets. Start at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, where twinkling lights, wooden chalets, and the scent of cinnamon, roasted nuts, and mulled wine fill the crisp winter air. This is where the heart of Basel’s Christmas spirit beats.
At Münsterplatz, don’t miss the Märchenwald (“Fairy Tale Forest”), a wonderful area designed especially for children. Kids can bake cookies, craft candles, or decorate gingerbread under softly glowing lights, while parents sip a warm Glühwein nearby. It’s one of my personal favourites, the combination of happy children, festive smells, and the historic cathedral backdrop makes it feel like stepping right into a Christmas storybook.
When you get hungry, try a few local favourites: the warm apple donuts, crispy chimney cakes, a hearty roasted wurst, or the ever-popular roasted meat skewers. And of course, a steaming cup of mulled wine (Glühwein) is a must to keep your hands and heart warm.
Then, cross the Rhine to the Advänstgass in Rheingasse, a smaller and more creative Christmas market loved by locals. Here, you’ll find street food from around the world, live music, and cozy fire pits where friends gather.
Finally, take a quiet evening stroll through the Magical Courtyards hidden in Basel’s Old Town. These beautifully lit inner courtyards feel intimate and peaceful, the perfect way to end your Christmas market adventure under the fairy lights.
In the middle of all the sparkle and festive rush, take a quiet moment to pause and reflect at Basel’s Wish Tree on Rümelinsplatz. Here, visitors are invited to write their wishes, dreams, or hopes for the coming year on small cards and hang them on the branches of a beautifully decorated tree.
Just a few minutes away, in the courtyard of Basel’s Town Hall (Rathaus), you’ll find the Wish Book, a large open book where everyone, young and old, can add their messages, blessings, or reflections. It’s a lovely and meaningful tradition, especially if you’re visiting with children.
For a calmer, more unique moment during Christmas in Basel 2025, hop aboard one of Basel’s charming Christmas ferries that glide quietly across the Rhine. These traditional ferries — Leu, Wild Maa, Vogel Gryff, and Ueli — have been part of Basel’s everyday life for centuries, connecting the two riverbanks long before bridges were built. They’re powered only by the river’s current and guided by a steel cable, which makes each crossing feel peaceful and timeless.
During Advent, the ferries are beautifully decorated with lights and greenery, transforming a simple crossing into a cozy Christmas experience. As you drift between Grossbasel and Kleinbasel, you’ll see the twinkling skyline, the illuminated cathedral, and the festive reflections dancing on the water. It’s truly breathtaking, especially when it gets darker. The fare is around CHF 2 per person (cash or Twint accepted), and ferries operate daily from morning until around 6 PM, weather permitting.
Cozy Indoor Christmas Fun in Basel
If you love music, treat yourself to one of Basel’s stunning Advent concerts inside the Münster. These performances focus on classical music.
For something extra special for families, catch the St. Lucia concert by the Mädchenkantorei Basel, taking place around 13–15 December 2025. This concert is performed by children and features a mix of children’s songs, familiar carols, and gentle melodies, making it especially suited for little listeners. The candlelight, white robes, and sweet harmonies create an enchanting and intimate atmosphere that delights both children and adults alike.
Both concerts are technically free, but small donations at the end are very welcome to support the choirs and help keep these beautiful traditions alive.
On 6 December 2025, bring your children to Elisabethen Church to meet St. Nikolaus, one of Basel’s most beloved Christmas traditions. St. Nikolaus has been celebrated in Switzerland and Central Europe for centuries, originating from the 4th-century bishop of Myra, known for his generosity to children and the poor.
In Basel, the tradition combines storytelling, songs, and a gentle procession, sometimes with real donkeys, creating a magical and interactive experience for little ones. Children are encouraged to recite poems or sing songs for St. Nikolaus, who, in return, may reward them with small treats or a symbolic gift, emphasizing the values of kindness, gratitude, and generosity.
Hop aboard the Wiehnachts-Drämmli, Basel’s festive Christmas tram, and enjoy the city sparkling through decorated windows filled with garlands and lights. This charming tradition started in the 1990s and has become a highlight of Christmas in Basel 2025, especially for families with children. The tram offers a magical way to see Basel’s Christmas lights and decorations from a moving cozy carriage.
Rides last about 65 minutes and follow a scenic route through the city, including Schifflände, Aeschenplatz, Barfüsserplatz, and Messeplatz. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance, usually online starting in early November, and collected at Pfauen Coop City Basel. Children aged 4–10 are the primary riders.
Enjoy a Christmas Show at the Theater Basel or a Circus Performance
From 16 to 28 December 2025, the Cirque Noël de Bâle returns to the Rosentalanlage, offering a festive experience for the whole family. Expect to be dazzled by acrobats, clowns, and aerial performers under the big top, all set to a festive soundtrack. The cozy atmosphere and family-friendly performances make it a highlight of Basel’s Christmas season. Tickets are available for purchase online. It's advisable to book early, as performances tend to sell out quickly.
From 1 to 23 December 2025, Theater Basel invites you to experience daily surprises in their Advent Calendar. Each evening at 17:00, the foyer comes alive with short performances from opera, drama, ballet, and special guests, offering a glimpse into the festive spirit of the season. Admission is free, with a voluntary collection to support the theater's programs.
+1 Book a Christmas Photoshoot in Basel
And of course, don’t forget to capture the magic of Christmas in Basel 2025! A professional family Christmas photoshoot, whether in front of the glowing Christmas Market, by your own tree, or in the snowy forest, is the perfect way to freeze these joyful moments in time.
Make This Christmas in Basel 2025 Unforgettable
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