This year with extraordinary international participation! We are looking forward to the arrival of 150 musicians from Basel in traditional masks, 30 drummers from the Brussels Zinneke Parade, three Czech-German student groups and, of course, the participation of Czech high school and university students and non-profit organizations.
 
JOIN US IN THE PARADE WITH A MASK!

The traditional Velvet Carnival, which is taking place for the thirteenth time, will start on Sunday 17 November at 15:30 on Kampa and will cross Charles Bridge, Old Town and Národní třída to reach the Hybernská Campus with a traditional music afterparty. You can try the unique experience of walking through the city centre in a mask this year too! Donate to our campaign and get a traditional Basel mask and costume to borrow!

Donate 300 CZK and you will receive an original Velvet Carnival plaque that you can pin on your coat.
 
Donate 1.000 CZK and we will lend you a Basel mask and costume of your choice. You will then march through the parade with the traditional Basel clique of pipers and drummers. We guarantee a unique experience! Come with us to "experience Basel in Prague"!

We connect Basel and Prague traditions

One of the highlights of this year's edition will be the opening of the exhibition "Beneath the Mask" on Friday, November 15 at 17:00 in the Hybernská Campus. This exhibition will introduce the Prague audience to the fascinating phenomenon of the Basel Fasnacht, which was the inspiration for the Velvet Carnival 13 years ago. There will be footage of the Swiss Carnival Relay and Basel lanterns and masks on display for you to try on.
 
Make a donation of CZK 5,000 and we will invite you and your friends or colleagues to an exclusive guided tour of the Beneath the Mask exhibition! 

On Saturday 16 November, there will also be the 3rd Symposium on Urban Festivals in Public Space, with speakers from major international urban festivals, such as Prof. Eric Corijn, an expert on urban festivals from Brussels, and other organisers and academics from collaborating initiatives. They will discuss the indispensable role of such festivals in the development of community life in different European cities. Saturday evening will be enlivened by the Charivari parade, which will march through the streets of the Old Town wearing masks and accompanied by music.

This year, we have raised only a fraction of the necessary funds for the event from public sources.
Your support is therefore crucial to making this unique experience a reality! Join us and help us create an unforgettable event!