The Swiss city whose Fasnacht begins with the 4 a.m. Morgestraich is Basel. At that exact moment on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, Basel’s old-town streetlights are switched off and the procession begins by lantern light.
The carnival lasts exactly 72 hours, ending at 4 a.m. on Thursday. Cliques march with piccolos and Basel snare drums behind large illuminated lanterns, while participants also wear smaller head lanterns. The opening command is “Morgestraich, vorwärts marsch!”—“Morgestraich, forward march!”
Basel’s celebration differs from many neighboring Rhine carnivals because participants and spectators remain clearly separated. Its traditions also include sharp satire of local and international events. The name Morgestraich means “morning stroke” in Basel dialect; it is the opening ceremony, not the name of the entire three-day festival.