Basler Herbstmesse 2026: 555 years of Mäss and 37 new attractions

Basler Herbstmesse 2026 is celebrating its 555th anniversary: since 24 October, seven squares in Basel have been transformed into a large funfair. According to the Canton of Basel-Stadt, around 460 rides, stalls and stands are waiting for you, including 37 attractions making their first appearance at the Mäss. The official press releases dated 14 and 24 October also mention special rides and important information about getting there.

Basler Herbstmesse 2026: These new rides stand out

Among the most striking new rides is Invader at the Kasernenareal. The nostalgic roller coaster High Explosive is also there. If you prefer heights to tracks, you’ll find the drop tower Gravity at Messeplatz. At Rosentalanlage, the approximately 40-metre-high swing ride Hexen-Flieger spins around. These examples show how varied the new rides are, from thrilling rides to classic funfair experiences.

The attractions are spread across seven fairground areas. So it’s worth planning to visit more than one square. Alongside rides, the autumn fair also has stalls selling goods and food. Petersplatz traditionally focuses on a more relaxed market atmosphere, with the Hääfelimäärt.

555 years of Basler Mäss: a tradition since 1471

The history of the autumn fair dates back to 1471. At this year’s opening on Saturday, 24 October, Government President Conradin Cramer gave a speech at Martinskirchplatz. At precisely 12 o’clock, fair bell-ringer Florian von Bidder rang in the fair. This continued a tradition that is an important part of Basler Herbstmesse for many people.

On the opening day, the canton also announced the presentation of the Golden Jeton. The winning group could use it for free rides during the first fair weekend. The promotion has now ended and is explicitly not presented here as an ongoing offer.

Basler Herbstmesse 2026: Getting there and planning your visit

To travel between the fairground areas, Basler Verkehrsbetrieb operates the additional tram line 22. The so-called Mäss-Drämmli connects Basel SBB station with Messeplatz and Kasernenareal via several stops on Friday and Saturday evenings and on Sundays. Other tram lines are also running more frequently. This lets you visit different locations without needing a car for each journey.

The food street in front of the Messe-Parkhaus is also expected to be busy. According to the official announcement, visitor flows may be managed on particularly busy weekends. Allow some extra time in case you have to wait. On Sunday, 25 October, some areas were temporarily closed due to a storm warning; this historical notice is not a current closure announcement. Check the official channels for last-minute changes.

Safety tip: In its notice dated 23 October, the Basel-Stadt cantonal police warn of pickpocketing in crowded areas. Keep valuables as close to your body as possible and keep your bags closed. The police provide so-called Pätty-Badges for children to help them find their companions again more easily. You can get one from the cantonal police at Messeplatz, among other places.

How long can you visit the autumn fair?

The regular fairgrounds are open until Sunday, 8 November 2026. The exception is Petersplatz with the Hääfelimäärt, where you can browse until Tuesday, 10 November. Opening hours vary by location and day of the week. You can find a full overview, more information about attractions and details on how to get there on our event page for Basler Herbstmesse 2026.

You can check the official information in the media release dated 14 October and the notice about the opening of the fair. This will help you stay informed about dates and any last-minute organisational changes.

Source: press releases from the Canton of Basel-Stadt dated 14.10.2026 (link) and 24.10.2026 (link). Feature image: an existing event photo; no explicitly verified online permission was available for the press photos.