Vogel Gryff: is a festival that dates to the pagan customs and rituals of the 13th century. The event today is held in honour of one of Kleinbasel’s three guilds. Late in the morning on the day of the festival, a raft carrying the Wild Maa (a mythical, hairy figure which symbolises fertility) courses down the Rhine as far as the Mittlere Brücke, accompanied by the beat of an ancient drum. He is met on the banks of the river by the Leu (lion) and the Vogel Gryff (griffon) and greeted by the booming of cannon. At noon, the three perform a traditional dance at the midpoint of the Mittlere Brücke, following dance steps dating from the Middle Ages. A Gryffemähli (a luncheon for all guild members) is held in Kleibasel, followed by a procession through the streets, during which jesters collect money for the poor. By the evening, a party is in full swing, involving plenty of dancing and drinking in the older restaurants of Kleinbasel.

Fasnacht: is the highlight of the annual calendar of events, occurring on the Monday after Ash Wednesday. Parades with marching bands fill the streets and parties are the order of the day. This carnival’s events are rooted in local traditions that date back to the Middle Ages and are characterised today by colourful costumes, festive music played by drummers and piccolo players. Two fascinating rituals that are a feature of Fasnacht are the masquerade (Mummenschanz), and the dance of death (Totentanz).

Jazz Festival Basel: is held over a two-week period every April, at venues city-wide, including the Basel Theatre, Kaserne, Kunstmuseum and the Stadt-Casino. Top names from the world of jazz make appearances, such as the Kenny Garrett Group and Charles Lloyd. In addition to big-name performers, the festival also features free jazz concerts and salsa workshops at the Kaserne.

Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Fair: the country is world-renowned for its watch-making, so it's quite appropriate that the world's top watch and jewellery fair is held here. The main exhibition centre, Messe Basel, hosts more than 2,300 watch and jewellery makers from 40 countries, who showcase their finest pieces and the latest trends and fashions. More than 70,000 industry professionals from around the world take part in Baselworld each year.

BuchBasel: Basel's huge exhibition centre plays host to an international book fair of staggering proportions each May, known as BuchBasel. You will find a wide range of books from the best in children’s books to rare antique editions. You’ll also find an enormous selection of journals and newspapers, as well as cards, calendars and music on offer. The city’s literature festival is held simultaneously, featuring celebrated writers from around the world, and making this a perfect time for reading fans and booklovers to visit Basel.

The Basel Art Fair: attracts more than 250 art dealers, who typically exhibit the works of at least 1,000 artists. The event has an international draw and is hosted at Messe Basel, which is able to comfortably accommodate the 50,000 visitors from around the world who come to this prestigious event. Art Basel’s focus is on modern masters and also the new trendsetting artists on the contemporary art scene. You will also find painting and drawing exhibits, sculpture displays and installations, photography, video and multimedia art exhibits and demonstrations.

Etnies European Skateboard Championships: is a serious competition featuring the world’s top skateboarders, as they showcase their skills at Basel's ice rink. This event is part of the European Championships in skateboarding, in which participants compete for USD 30,000 in prizes.

Basel Dances: or 'Basel Tanzt’ as it’s known in German, offers a range from classical ballets to programmes of contemporary choreography. Internationally-acclaimed troupes appear on the festival’s schedule and in the past have included such renowned companies as the Compañía Nacional de Danza (Spain), the Stuttgarter Ballett (Germany).

Cultura - The World Art and Antiques Fair: is another of Basel’s high-quality international events, also held at the Messe. Cultural provides the opportunity for top, distinguished dealers in art and antiques to display selections from their collections and also encourages private foundations and museums to participate. Every facet and period of art and antiques is well-represented at the show. There are dealers in Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities; specialists in pre-Columbian art; Asian art and antique experts; European collectors and museums representing the late Gothic to early-20th century periods and a broad range of exhibits which feature modern design, jewellery and other applied arts.

International Film, Video and New Media Festival (VIPER): brings a focus in the film world to fresh, contemporary talent. The festival draws together the best in recent innovations and provides a showcase for the creative talents of a multitude of production companies from around the world. Latest film releases, cult films, exhibitions on a variety of museum themes and some fun and unusual street entertainment make for a full programme and a time enjoyed by all who attend. Everyone in the world of Swiss film and media participates.