Basel Christmas lights switch-on

Coinciding with the opening of the city’s Christmas markets, Basel is lit up by twinkly lights at the end of November by the governing president, officially ushering in possibly the prettiest time to be in this medieval Swiss city. Musical accompaniment to the switch-on this year comes from the Musik Akademie Basel’s horn ensemble and Theater Base’s Extra choir. Free mulled wine, tea and snacks courtesy of local charities will sustain you for an amble around the Old Town, taking in the pretty lights, the huge Christmas tree on the Münsterplatz and the city’s two Christmas markets on Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz.