Basel Tattoo

Top level military music performances from around the globe, spectacular precision dancing and dramatic special elements make the Basel Tattoo an outstanding event.

Internationally recognized as the second largest Tattoo in the world after the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Basel Tattoo takes place yearly right in the heart of the elegant city of Basel on the banks of the river Rhine. Click here to access the full two hour program of the year 2017 with a running commentary in Swiss.

Attracting the best military music bands and military dance performers from around the globe, the high-profile show covers music genres from march to rock and from folk to classical.

During the 2017 Tattoo, the Lochiel Marching Drill Team from New Zealand, an all-women dance group, performed an exquisite choreography, and the shiny uniforms and precision motorcycle dance of the Italian Prime Minister’s personal guard of the Reggimentto Corrazzieri were no less impressive.

Of course, the Swiss Rekrutenschule was also featured with several performance pieces from Thor’s The Dark World to the theme song of the A-Team.

Under the patronage of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), the Basel Tattoo traditionally opens with a fanfare and ends with every cast member lining up in the arena for a spectacular joint finale. It is a truly breathtaking event, featuring music as diverse as the Swiss National Anthem to the folk song Muss i denn.

Basel Tattoo City-Parade and Arena-Showdates of 2018 

Approximately 1,000 cast members from military bands all over the world are scheduled to participate during the week of July 20 – July 28, 2018 for the lucky thirteenth Basel Tattoo.

The Basel Tattoo Parade is a well-loved and well-attended event in the city center of Basel, taking place Saturday afternoon, July 21, 2018, with all cast members parading through the down-town area.

Several hotels offer special accommodation/Tattoo packages that book quickly, so if you’re interested in attending during the summer of 2018, it is not too early to put in your reservation at this time.

Photo: Basel Tattoo

Please share your experience or any pointers you may have if you’ve attended the Basel Tattoo by leaving a comment below. Thank you.