Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
Basel Christmas Market
Two markets in Basel's old town, Barfüsserplatz and the square in front of the Minster, a few minutes' walk apart.
- Dates
- 26 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
- Opening hours
- Daily 11am–8.30pm. On 23 Dec Barfüsserplatz closes at 8pm and Münsterplatz at 6pm
- Admission
- Free entry
- Address
- Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, 4051 Basel
Dates last checked 3 October 2026 · source · Always confirm with the organiser before travelling.
Basel’s Christmas market is really two markets in the old town, a short uphill walk apart: one on the Barfüsserplatz, around the Barfüsserkirche, and a second on the Münsterplatz in front of the red sandstone Minster. Both are run by the canton of Basel-Stadt, whose official page we checked for the dates and times below.
Dates for 2026
Both markets run from Thursday 26 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026.
Opening hours
Both open daily 11am–8.30pm. On the last day, 23 December, they close early, and not at the same time: Barfüsserplatz at 8pm, Münsterplatz at 6pm.
The two markets
Barfüsserplatz is the busier, more central of the two, with stalls selling tree decorations and gifts and plenty of food and drink stands. Candle-dipping lets children (and adults) make their own Christmas candles.
Münsterplatz is the quieter and more atmospheric of the pair. A large decorated Christmas tree stands in front of the Minster, and the square’s trees are hung with lights. It’s a lovely place to be as the light goes in the late afternoon.
Getting there
From Basel SBB station, trams run to Barfüsserplatz in a few minutes. From there it’s a short climb up to the Münsterplatz. Basel is on the border with France and Germany, and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is a short bus ride from the station.
Make a day of it
Behind the Minster, the Pfalz terrace looks out over the Rhine. You can cross the river on one of the small current-powered ferries that have run here for generations. The Kunstmuseum Basel is one of the oldest public art collections in the world. Johann Wanner’s Christmas shop on the Spalenberg sells decorations all year round, if the market doesn’t satisfy your bauble habit.
Colmar and its Alsace markets are around an hour away by train, which makes Basel a good base for a two-country trip.
Whatever the forecast, you will be standing still outdoors in the cold for longer than you expect — see our guide to what to wear, and use What’s open? to see which markets are trading on the days you travel.