Herbstmesse (Autumn Fair)

One of the reasons we love Autumn here is the Herbstmesse - the Autumn fairs, which are on at four different sites across the centre of Basel.

This Autumn has been amazingly mild which has made the fairs all the more enjoyable. Some years it has been so cold we were in full hats, gloves and snow-regalia.

Setting off on the tram

Ah joy!

There is an enclosed kids' area at one of the fairs, which you pay to enter but once within, the kids are free to do whatever rides and activities they want, free.

We love it here as we can sit with a Gluhwein (mulled wine) while the kids run off and play.

Pizza making

The kids start by grinding the grain into flour!

They have a castle, dress-up costumes and a knight that rides around on a mechanical horse chasing and sword-fighting with the kids! They loved it.

There was a very long wait in the queue for candle-making

But finally the boys were up

Outside this kids' area is the main fair with all the rides and stalls 

We never get sick of the Herbstmesse!