Basel Tattoo 2026
The world's second-largest military tattoo: international marching bands and formations perform in Basel's barracks.
Location : Bâle (Basel-Stadt) · Usual period : July
The festival
The Basel Tattoo is a large-scale event held in Basel, Switzerland, taking place from 16 to 24 July 2027. It transforms the historic Kasernenhof into a stage featuring around 1,000 participants from around the world. The program includes royal formations, legendary bagpipe sounds, spectacular show drummers, and impressive choreographies. The 2026 edition, which marked the 20th anniversary, was described as a premiere that delighted audiences with world-class formations, royal guards, and five world champions. For the anniversary, the arena was rebuilt to create a more intense immersive feeling and an emotional atmosphere. The content of the anniversary edition was shaped by three royal formations, world-class acts from the international show drumming scene, and a legendary bagpipe band.
A separate event, Top Secret & Friends, is scheduled for 10 to 13 September 2026 at the Musical Theater Basel. It brings together some of the best drumlines and performers in the world for an experience full of rhythm, precision, and passion. The Top Secret Drum Corps, which has been delighting audiences for over 20 years with innovative shows on the world's biggest stages, is central to this event. Top Secret & Friends is described as an international event that brings together outstanding ensembles and long-time companions, celebrating the connection of tradition, innovation, and international friendship within the global drumming community.
Quotes from various figures, including a former president of FC Basel, a Lieutenant Colonel from the Australian Army Band, and former Swiss federal councilors, highlight the event's emotional impact, its quality, and its importance for the region. The event is also noted for its Tattoo Street, which begins the experience before entering the arena, and for a special Piper's Lounge where guests can enjoy culinary offerings and surprise performances.
Getting there, on site
Ticket sales for the Basel Tattoo 2027 begin on 25 November 2026. The event takes place in Basel, in the canton of Basel-Stadt. For accommodation, Basel Tourismus is the official hotel booking partner and offers a HotelMap to assist with booking hotel rooms. The 2026 edition was celebrated by over 200,000 people, according to a published report. A TV broadcast of the 2026 Basel Tattoo was also available, showing the anniversary show. The event also includes a Tattoo Street with a city-festival-like character that starts before the arena gates.
