Basel Tattoo
What is the Basel Tattoo?
The Basel Tattoo is a military music event that attracts only the very best bands from across the globe and thus covers all music genres, from march to rock, folk to classical music. We strive not only to show the diversity of top international bands, but also to produce a show filled with musical highlights. Breathtaking choreographies, beautiful dancers and dramatic show elements play an important role in the overall experience of the spectators.
The Basel Tattoo falls under the patronage of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The Basel Tattoo is presented annually at the historical barracks in the heart of Basel, on the banks of the Rhine. It is recognised internationally as the second largest Tattoo in the world after the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and has, over the past eleven years, hosted over 900,000 spectators
Situated in the centre of Europe, our spectators hail not only from Switzerland but also from many other countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. We therefore provide a unique world stage on which bands can represent their countries.
The Cast of 2017
Each Basel Tattoo show lasts about two hours, opening with a fanfare and ending with a spectacular finale, in which all bands line up in the arena to give the audience one last memory of the Basel Tattoo. In 2017 there are approximately 1'000 participants from all over the world.
- Manly Warringah Pipes and Drums, Australia
- Pipes & Drums of the Royal Air Force, Great Britain
- South Australian Pipes and Drums, Australia
- St Kentigern College Pipes and Drums, New Zealand
- Drums & Pipes of the Cape Town Highlanders, South Africa
- Paris Port Dover Pipe Band, Canada
- Pipes & Drums of the Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Great Britain
- Scots Guards Association (Manchester) Pipes and Drums, Great Britain
- Swiss Highlanders, Switzerland
Tickets and Information
Show dates
| Friday, 21 July 2017 | 21:30 | |
| Saturday, 22 July 2017 | 17:30 and 21:30 | |
| Sunday, 23 July 2017 | 21:30 | |
| Monday, 24 July 2017 | 21:30 | |
| Tuesday, 25 July 2017 | 21:30 | |
| Wednesday, 26 July 2017 | 21:30 | |
| Thursday, 27 July 2017 | 21:30 | |
| Friday, 28 July 2017 | 21:30 | |
| Saturday, 29 July 2017 | 21:30 |
Parade
Start: 14:00
The Basel Tattoo Parade is a well-loved event within the Tattoo week. Not only do the 1,000 cast members participate in this event, guest bands and formations also take part, making this one of the highlights on the Basel calendar. The parade route goes through the city centre of Basel and is always lined with roughly 100,000 spectators.
| Cat. | Price at 17:30 | Price at 21:30 |
| VIP | CHF 140.00 | CHF 160.00 |
| L1/R1 | CHF 89.00 | CHF 119.00 |
| L2/R2 | CHF 84.00 | CHF 109.00 |
| L3/R3 | CHF 79.00 | CHF 99.00 |
| L4/R4 | CHF 74.00 | CHF 89.00 |
| L5/R5 | CHF 49.00 | CHF 69.00 |
Shows at 17:30 on Saturday:
Children up to 9 years (including birth date in 2008) can come free to the show. Children 10 – 16 years (including birth date in 2001) receive a 50% discount.Special prices are exclusively available from the Basel Tattoo Shop (by telephone or in the shop).
Shows at 21:30
Children up to 9 years (including birth date in 2008) receive a 50% discount
Top of the Basel Tattoo – our Skyboxes!
Best view of the show, covered seating and luxurious surroundings, as well as top class catering!
Our exclusive offers
| Shows at 17:30: | Skybox with 24 seats, unlimited drinks before the show, Basel Tattoo Magazine |
| Shows at 21:30: | Skybox with 24 seats, unlimited drinks before and after the show, Basel Tattoo Magazine and parking voucher (1 voucher per 2 tickets) |
| Opening times: | The Skyboxes open 60 minutes before the start of the show |
| Important information: | Single seats can be booked for the shows at 17:30. Only complete Skyboxes of 24 seats can be booked for the 21:30 shows. |
| Prices: | Saturday, 17:30: CHF 190.00 per person |
| All 21:30 shows: CHF 9,900.00 per Skybox with 24 seats |
Tattoo Street
During the event, the streets around the Tattoo Arena are transformed into a festive and exciting area, where guests can enjoy a wide range of culinary delights, from bratwurst, risotto and fish to chicken sosaties, raclette and fondue, at 18 different stands. Come and enjoy the unique Tattoo atmosphere, even without a ticket to the show!
Guide
Your Visit to the Basel Tattoo
Here you will find all the important information about your visit to the Basel Tattoo. We recommend travelling with public transport!
By train and tram
The trip from the main train station (Bahnhof Basel SBB) to the Tattoo Arena takes about 15 minutes (tram line 8 in the direction to Kleinhüningen to the stop “Kaserne”). From Badischer Bahnhof, you can take the tram number 6 (direction to Allschwil) to “Claraplatz”. From there you can follow the signs to the arena.
Travel by train and save! Take advantage of a 10% discount on your train ticket plus a Basel Tattoo Magazine with the SBB RailAway-Kombiticket. This is available at every train station, from an SBB ticket machine, online or through Rail Service, telephone 0900 300 300 (CHF 1.19 / min. from a Swiss landline).
With the car from Bern / Lucerne / Zurich
Exit the A2 at the „Badischer Bahnhof“ in the direction of Basel and change immediately to the left lane. Turn left into the Riehenstrasse and continue to the Parkhaus Messe Basel.
With the car from Germany / France
Travel from France on the A3 or from Germany on the A2 to Basel. Exit at “Badischer Bahnhof” and change to the left lane. Where the road forks to Schwarzwaldalleee / Wettsteinallee, turn and drive towards the Badischer Bahnhof. Turn left into the Riehenstrasse and continue straight to the Parkhaus Messe Basel. The route has signs from the Badischer Bahnhof exit.
Parking
The Parkhaus Messe Basel has limited capacity. Those guests who book a parking ticket with us in advance have precedence.
It is about a 10 minute walk from the parking garage to the Tattoo Arena. Alternatively, the tram 6 (in the direction of Allschwil), 14 (direction Pratteln) and 15 (direction Bruderholz) drive to the stop “Claraplatz”, from where you can follow “Basel Tattoo” signs.
FAQ
When can I buy tickets for the Basel Tattoo 2017?
When does the Basel Tattoo 2017 take place?
How long is the show and is there an interval?
Does the Basel Tattoo take place in all weather conditions?
Travelling with public transport – is the tram included in the ticket?
How far is it from the Basel main train station to the Tattoo Arena?
How do I get from Badischer Bahnhof to the Arena by tram or bus? How often does the public transport run?
We have tickets for the Basel Tattoo – how early should we arrive?
Are there spaces for guests in wheelchairs and, if yes, how do I book these?
May I take photographs during the show?
May I make film and sound recordings of the show?
Can one take plastic (PET) bottles into the Tattoo Arena?
Is there a dress code?
How do I book a hotel in the area?
What does Tattoo mean?
How can I apply to be a volunteer at the Basel Tattoo 2016?
Charity
In keeping with the traditions of a Tattoo, the Basel Tattoo donates a significant amount of the income received from the event to charity. The charities that we support have links to the military or to the venue of the Tattoo, the Basel Kaserne.
Volunteers
Over 500 volunteers give up their free time to work for the Tattoo! Without their enthusiasm and dedication to the event, this show could not take place. They fill all the roles that the core organization cannot cover alone, from ushers, stage crew and finance controllers to band liaison officers, ticket controllers and waitrons in our hospitality areas.
