Basel Carnival scrambles as fire rules threaten historic venues

A beloved tradition hangs in the balance. As fire inspectors tighten rules, Basel races to save its Carnival's legendary cellars—and the youth groups who depend on them.

, and Administrator

2026 February 8 . 10:20 PM

1 min read

The image shows a large crowd of people gathered at a music festival, with a stage in the center of... — The image shows a large crowd of people gathered at a music festival, with a stage in the center of the image. On the stage, there are several people playing musical instruments, illuminated by bright lights and surrounded by banners with text. To the left of the stage are tents, and in the background is a dark sky illuminated by fireworks.

Basel Carnival scrambles as fire rules threaten historic venues

Basel's famous Carnival cruise faces disruption as stricter fire safety rules force organisers to scramble for new venues. With the event just two weeks away, uncertainty remains over which traditional Clique cellars will stay open and how many guests they can accommodate. The changes have left some youth groups without their usual dining spaces, prompting a citywide effort to find solutions.

The fire brigade is set to finalise its safety decisions by midweek, leaving little time for adjustments. Many of the Carnival's long-standing cellars may close, while others could see reduced capacity. Some youth sections of marching groups now risk missing out on their customary meal spots during the festival.

In response, the online platform fasnacht.ch has teamed up with cantonal authorities to locate alternative dining areas. Restaurants and event halls across Basel have already pledged over 1,000 seats, though options in the city centre remain scarce. Meanwhile, the Basel government has stepped in, promising to secure replacement locations specifically for the youth groups affected.

Despite the efforts, organisers still lack clear details on how many cellars will shut permanently under the new regulations. The situation has added pressure to an event that typically draws thousands of revellers to the city's historic venues.

The Carnival will proceed in two weeks, but with a reshuffled layout due to the safety crackdown. Over 1,000 extra seats have been sourced, though central locations stay in short supply. The government's intervention ensures youth groups will have designated spaces, but the full impact of the closures won't be known until the fire brigade's final review.