Classical orchestras

The Stadtcasino is at the heart of the classical music scene in Basel. Built in 1876, the concert hall has excellent acoustics and is one of the best concert halls in the world. The extension of the Stadtcasino by the famous architects Herzog & de Meuron was officially opened in 2020. In addition to high-class local orchestras and chamber groups, including the Basel Symphony Orchestra, the Basel Sinfonietta and the Basel Chamber Orchestra, which has won the Swiss Music Prize 2019, international orchestras and soloists also regularly perform there. 

Large choirs

The music and culture center Don Bosco Basel also offers concert experiences. Basel also boasts a vibrant vocal music tradition. Large oratorio choirs such as the Basler Gesangverein, smaller chamber choirs like the Tradiophon vocal ensemble, and children's and youth choirs all contribute to the rich musical variety. Renowned choirs such as the Basler Madrigalisten and the Männerstimmen Basel regularly embark on international tours.

Venues for classical music

Basel also has a long tradition and international reputation in the field of new music. The Gare du Nord - the Bahnhof für Neue Musik is the venue for the extremely lively and productive contemporary music scene in Switzerland, the trinational region and beyond. The Musikakademie (College of Music) has an excellent reputation and runs its own concert hall. 

Well organised

A large part of the classical music scene is funded by the Allgemeine Musikgesellschaft (AMG), founded in 1876. The Paul Sacher Stiftung in Basel is home to one of the largest collections of autographs, including works by Stravinsky, among others.

Jazz and Blues festivals

Basel is a lively and important centre for jazz and blues with numerous events and highlights. A series of festivals play everything from Dixie to swing and classical jazz to avant-garde.

Jazzclubs in Basel

Various clubs, such as "the bird's eye jazz club", are dedicated to jazz. The jazz campus of the Academy of Music/FHNW is a training center, jazz club and meeting place all in one.

Concert venues

Rock and pop concerts are organised at various smaller venues in the city centre, as well as at the Kaserne, the Humbug and the Volkshaus. Large concerts with well over 30,000 concertgoers are held at St. Jakob Park. Some 300 bands, a dozen music studios and many DJs make sure that Basel has a broad-based and lively music scene ranging from rock to techno and hip-hop. 

Club scene

And finally, Basel also has a pulsing techno scene. Techno fans can drop in to the Viertel Klub Basel, Nordstern or Elysia, for example, in their search for the best beats.

Music parades

Festivals in Basel will bring you everything, from world stars to hidden gems, and in all musical genres. While classical and jazz festivals are held mainly indoors, rock and pop bands like to play outdoors, and the city becomes their stage. 

Baloise Session: intimate seated concert experiences

When world stars such as Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton or Alicia Keys come to Basel, the BALOISE SESSION is probably taking place. For over 30 years, top international stars have been performing at the popular Swiss boutique music festival every autumn, providing visitors with exceptional and intimate concert experiences while sitting comfortably at club tables.

Marching music at the Basel Tattoo

The Basel Tattoo is unique in Switzerland and the second largest open-air festival of its kind in the world. Every summer, the best high-profile orchestras from all over the world present catchy tunes, combined with skilfully choreographed marching sequences and a stunning spectacle of colour and light before the grandiose backdrop of the Kaserne Basel.

European Youth Choir Festival

The European Youth Choir Festival Basel takes place every two years over the Ascension weekend. It has been firmly established since 1992 and, with more than 30,000 visitors, has become an integral part of the cultural life of Basel and the region. The idea of encounters is at the centre of the festival. In around 40 larger and smaller concerts in Basel and the region, the choirs present a broad spectrum of music and culture within European choral singing.