The Basel Autumn Fair first took place in 1471, when Kaiser Friedrich III granted the city of Basel the privilege of holding the fair “forever”. Since then, it has taken place every year, with five exceptions due to pandemics. In 2020/2021, it celebrated its 550th anniversary with various anniversary activities.
The Autumn Fair begins on the last Saturday in October at 12 noon with the quarter-hour ringing of the bells of St. Martin's Church. The bell ringer is rewarded for his work with a pair of black woolen gloves, in keeping with the former practice of paying for services in kind. For the opening, he receives the left glove, which he holds out of the tower window in full view of the audience waiting on St. Martin's Church Square, while blowing an old horn. For ringing the end of the fair, two weeks later, he finally receives the right glove.
During the two weeks of the fair, amusement rides and game stalls for young and old, confectioners, food and market stands, and colourful flashing lights dominate the cityscape. For many, the highlight of the event is the large market on Petersplatz with the traditional “Hääfelimäärt” in Bernoullistrasse. The Basel Autumn Fair is the largest and oldest amusement fair in Switzerland and, as one of the largest city centre fairs in Europe, has a far-reaching influence on the tri-countries region.
