Basel Tattoo

Program

20 years of Basel Tattoo – Secure the best seats now for an unforgettable experience in summer 2026.

To date, over a million spectators, young and old, have witnessed the breathtaking marching performances of the large formations and been enchanted by the moving Scottish Highland sounds and exciting dance interludes.

The Basel Tattoo is the second largest event of its kind in the world after the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Under the patronage of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), the Basel Tattoo enjoys the status of an official Swiss Tattoo.

The show offers a highlight for everyone: traditional marching music, classic catchy tunes, well-known modern pop songs and exciting musical experiments - framed by fantastic dance interludes and impressive light and firework effects.

In addition to an extraordinary musical treat and thrilling rhythms, you can once again expect magnificent costumes and uniforms as well as the crème de la crème of the massed pipes and drums.

Basel Tattoo 2026

• The Band of the Scots Guards and The Band of the Irish Guards, Great Britain

• His Majesty the King’s Guard Band and Drill Team, Norway

• The Swiss Armed Forces Conscript Band, Switzerland

• Top Secret Drum Corps, Switzerland

• The Blue Devils International Drum & Bugle Corps, USA

• The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Great Britain

• The Kilgore College Rangerettes, USA

• Canadiana Celtic Highland Dancers, Canada

• Cammy Barnes, Solist, Great Britain

• Basel Tattoo Garde, Switzerland

• Basel Tattoo Chor, Switzerland

• Massed Pipes and Drums, International

  • The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princes Mary’s) Pipes & Drums, Canada

  • Cape Town Highlanders Drums & Pipes, South Africa

  • The 1st Battalion Scots Guards Pipes & Drums, Great Britain

  • The Drums & Pipes of the Irish Guards, Great Britain

  • St Kentigern College Pipes & Drums, New Zeeland

  • The Royal Victoria Regiment Association Pipes & Drums, Australia

  • Pipes & Drums of the Royal Air Force, Great Britain

  • Pripes & Drums of Prince George Memorial, Denmark

  • The Swiss Highlanders, Switzerland

Information about the Basel Tattoo

Admission time
The Basel Tattoo Arena opens one hour before the performance begins. Seats in the arena can be taken from this time.

Show duration
The show lasts around 2 hours without an interval.

Tattoo Street/Catering
The popular Tattoo Street, with its city festival-like character, offers you the opportunity to enjoy refreshments before or after the show. Around 15 clubs, partners and festival cafés present a wide range of culinary delights.

Weather/rain ponchos
The Basel Tattoo performances take place in all weathers. Please wear clothing appropriate to the weather conditions. Umbrellas may not be used during the entire performance. Rain ponchos can be purchased in the shops, the shop satellites, at the Tattoo bars and in the arena for CHF 2/each.

Cashless Basel Tattoo
The Basel Tattoo is going cashless. This simplifies the ordering process and shortens waiting times. All major cards (Postfinance, Maestro, Visa, Mastercard, V-Pay, Applepay, Samsung Pay) and Twint are available as payment methods.

If you do not have a credit or debit card, you can obtain a Lunch-Check card on site in exchange for cash. Payment in cash is not possible anywhere on the Basel Tattoo site (Arena, Tattoo Street).

Travelling to the Basel Tattoo
Travelling to the Basel Tattoo by bus is easy and relaxed! Avoid stress and searching for a parking space - book your comfortable and environmentally friendly bus journey to the spectacular military music festival now!