Things to do in Basel

The Music of Harry Potter is a live concert experience featuring the iconic scores from the Harry Potter films. This orchestral performance, often conducted by renowned composers, brings to life the magical melodies composed by John Williams and others, enchanting audiences with the beloved themes from the globally acclaimed movie series.

The Nutcracker tells a story of whimsical characters for those who are always young at heart. This perfect ballet for the holiday season comes with a live symphony orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's score, magnificent sets, beautiful costumes, and illusions. First performed in 1892 as a "fairy ballet." The libretto is based on the story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E. T. A. Hoffmann.

Saddle up for Cavalluna, an awe-inspiring spectacle where majestic horses and their skilled riders dance in perfect harmony, creating a mesmerizing blend of equestrian artistry and storytelling. This enchanting performance takes you on a journey through spellbinding choreography, breathtaking stunts, and heartwarming tales that celebrate the profound bond between humans and their noble steeds.

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The enlightening exhibition provides an in-depth exploration of the Shakers' minimalist design culture and its influential role in modern aesthetics. Attendees will appreciate the displays of structural simplicity, encapsulating the commune's belief in social equality and camaraderie.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Basel Fasnacht, where the city comes alive with a fusion of culture, music, and humor. Known fondly as "Dame Fasnacht," this festival extravaganza is a unique celebration that combines distinctive musical instruments, artistic performances, and witty satire. The festivities begin post-Ash Wednesday with the iconic "Morgestraich," casting the city in darkness before vibrant lanterns and lively processions illuminate the streets. Be sure to witness the grand finale, the "Ändstraich," on Thursday morning to conclude the carnival in spectacular style. Embrace everything in between these memorable moments to truly capture the spirit of Basel Fasnacht – a carnival that entertains and provokes thought in equal measure.

Be captivated by 'Northern Lights', a curated exhibition showcasing nearly 80 landscape paintings by renowned Scandinavian and Canadian artists, including masterpieces from legends Hilma af Klint and Edvard Munch. Embodying the sublime essence of the boreal forest, these works capture invigorating summer light, inky winter nights, and the otherworldly dance of the northern lights, celebrating and encapsulating the world's largest remnant forests as soulful landscapes.

The exhibit, 'Soft Power: City-Making Brussels Style,' highlights Belgium's prominence in exquisite architecture and systematic urban development. It details how Brussels fostered a distinctive, high-quality group of builders and charted the path for emerging architects to contribute to city growth, largely credited to the consulting body, Bouwmeester Matre Architecte (BMA), that assists clients from project inception to completion. The show also portrays how BMA's involvement in architecture, urban planning, or public space competitions enables pristine access to markets, enhancing not only individual projects but also the quality of the city.

The Kunstmuseum Basel presents "Power Games," the first solo exhibition of Paula Rego's work in Switzerland. Rego, a renowned Portuguese-British artist, is celebrated for her powerful, dramatic depictions of women and their experiences, offering a critical view of social, political, and sexual power. This exhibition showcases key pieces from her extensive career, revealing her complex, often unsettling narratives that challenge and reflect societal issues.

Attendees can anticipate a captivating examination of more than fifty years of work from the remarkable Portuguese-British painter, Paula Rego. The breathtaking art exhibition boasts a comprehensive range of pieces from this paramount figure in modern art, highlighting her premier display in Switzerland.

Witness the first Henri Matisse retrospective in both Switzerland and the German-speaking world in nearly 20 years, thanks to Fondation Beyeler. Attendance offers an exploration of modern art trail-blazing, from Matisse's seminal works to present day offerings.

Immerse in the vibrant universe of Henri Matisse, a titan of modernism, through an enthralling exhibition featuring over seventy key pieces of his art, collected from both public and private patrons. This comprehensive retrospective seamlessly narrates Matisse's evolutionary oeuvre, transitioning from Fauvism to his distinctive later paper cut-outs, extending an enticing journey through his assorted creative phases that echo Baudelaire's infamous poem, "Invitation to the Voyage."

The event explores five decades of Nike, portraying its ascent from a humble startup to an international marvel. The core show focuses on Nike's gripping design evolution from the conception of their iconic 'swoosh' logo, legendary products like Air Max and Flyknit to pioneering research into cutting-edge materials and sustainability.

Renowned Toulouse-born and now Basel-based artist, Marie Matusz, is famous for her art that smartly balances vulnerability and defiance, resulting in remarkable expressive tension. In her upcoming monumental site-specific project, she explores her signature style in magnified detail, splashed on a vast gallery back wall.

Probe into the delicate intertwining of mental health and mental illness at this compelling event. Attendees will gain insights into the evolving perceptions of normality and mental stability.

Paarlauf presents a stunning assortment of art from esteemed figures like Alexej von Jawlensky, Suzanne Valadon, and Hans Baldung gen. Grien, without forgetting the asymmetric beauties their work holds. In congruence with the old, touches of the new sneak in through the enclosed modern intrigues created by the likes of Ulrike Rosenbach and Bruce Nauman, creating a rich juxtaposition between the timeless past and the art of the present voyage.

The upcoming exhibition, Science Fiction Design: From Space Age to Metaverse, delves into the captivating intersection of science fiction and design as manifested in various sci-fi films. Visitors can relish an assortment of over 100 objects intricately rendered through the futurist lens of distinguished Argentine visual artist, Andres Reisinger.

"Twelve Thousand Items" at the Museum der Kulturen Basel uncovers the intriguing stories behind the European collection amassed between 1900 and 1936. The exhibition features 370 objects that illustrate daily life, faith, and superstition, including unique pieces like a Serbian ring donut believed to ensure everlasting love. Visitors can explore the accession book to learn about the provenance of these items, meet the collectors and curators who contributed to the collection, and engage with interactive displays that bring the historical narratives to life.

At the upcoming exhibition, each piece tells an intriguing and unique narrative from the European collection of the Museum der Kulturen Basel. The exhibited objects reveal unexpectedly compelling, curious, or sadly poignant stories and celebrate the invaluable contributions certain individuals made to amass this treasure trove.

Experience the minimalist elegance of late American artist Dan Flavin's ground-breaking installations, created solely from industrial fluorescent tubes. Attendees will develop a nuanced appreciation for this pivotal artist converging commercial and fine art, alongside receiving a rich exploration of reduction, seriality, and objectivity as central pillars of minimalism.

The event voyages into the captivating relationship between human and mechanism, as conceived by Tinguely, prominently displaying detailed early-era creations alongside sixth-decade cooperative pieces and grandiose late projects. Attendees will be treated to an exceptional visual display and interactive features nestled among the dynamic range of Tinguely's art.

Guests can marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship in creations from the celebrated Hannong family's Strasbourg faience factory. The exhibition will feature captivating animal and fruit-shaped terrines, complemented by exceptionally crafted, vividly painted tableware.