The longest Turquoise Carpet in Eurovision history
The Opening Ceremony will take place in Basel on Sunday afternoon before the show week (11 May 2025). It consists of the Turquoise Carpet Event (public) and a subsequent Opening Party for the delegations (not public).
The Turquoise Carpet Event begins at 2 p.m. at Basel’s Rathaus, where the President of the Basel Government, Conradin Cramer, and representatives of the SRG and EBU will give a welcome speech and greet the delegations one by one. The turquoise carpet will also start on Marktplatz, directly in front of Basel’s town hall, and will cover a distance of around 1.3 kilometres over the Mittlere Brücke to Riehenring, directly next to the Eurovision Village. This will create a unique spectacle in the middle of Basel’s old town for the delegations, visitors and the media alike.
There’s still hotel rooms avaliable in Basel for the opening weekend – don’ miss it!
Parade through Basel's old town to the exhibition center
The delegations will not have to walk: vintage trams and buses will take them from Marktplatz to the Eurovision Village at Messe Basel, where the public can look forward to a stage program with short interviews of the delegations. The parade is accompanied by dance groups, school classes, Basel drummers, carnival groups, Guggen musicians, alphorn players and techno acts.
Photo: BVB-Oldtimer Foundation, Basel (DE)
The trams and buses are provided by the local transport companies BVB and BLT, as well as the police and fire brigade.
The delegations will not have to walk: vintage trams and buses will take them from Marktplatz to the Eurovision Village at Messe Basel, where the public can look forward to a stage program with short interviews of the delegations. The parade is accompanied by dance groups, school classes, Basel drummers, carnival groups, Guggen musicians, alphorn players and techno acts.
Photo: BVB-Oldtimer Foundation, Basel (DE)
The trams and buses are provided by the local transport companies BVB and BLT, as well as the police and fire brigade.
Unforgettable fan experience in the Eurovision Village
While the delegations are attending the opening party (which is not open to the public), visitors to the Eurovision Village can enjoy other highlights: Luca Hänni will be performing from 7pm, followed by DJs creating a great atmosphere until midnight. The Village will also be selling fan merchandise and food and drink. Partygoers can continue the evening at the EuroClub, directly opposite the Eurovision Village, until 5am.
While the delegations are attending the opening party (which is not open to the public), visitors to the Eurovision Village can enjoy other highlights: Luca Hänni will be performing from 7pm, followed by DJs creating a great atmosphere until midnight. The Village will also be selling fan merchandise and food and drink. Partygoers can continue the evening at the EuroClub, directly opposite the Eurovision Village, until 5am.
