Discover. Create. Explore. Learn.
Vacation Programmes
About the programme
During the Fasnacht, Spring, Summer, and October school holidays, ELABasel offers a range of exciting Vacation Programme weeks open to all primary aged children.
Each week is built around a unique theme, giving children aged 4 to 12 the opportunity to explore new topics and interests in a fun and engaging environment.
Some programmes take place at the Primary and Secondary School campus, while others are held at specialist facilities to make the most of specific learning opportunities.
Designed & led by our experienced teachers
Our Vacation Programmes combine creativity, learning, and adventure, with previous themes including Science Week, Art Week, Sports Week, Spooky Camp Week, Movement and Dance, Young Engineers Week, and World of STEM. Wherever possible, we take a multilingual approach by offering specialised language weeks or integrating exposure to different languages through hands on activities.
Designed and led by our experienced teachers and teaching assistants, the programmes are carefully tailored to suit different age groups, ensuring every child is both challenged and inspired.
To support families, we also offer extended daycare from 08:00 to 17:00, inclusive of lunch and snacks, providing a flexible and enriching holiday experience.
Fasnacht Vacation Programme 2026
Our Fasnacht Vacation Programme is back, featuring two themed weeks filled with creativity, energy, and fun.
Week 1 (16th February - 20th February): 'STEM - Think. Build. Discover.'
Our Fasnacht Vacation Programme is back, featuring two themed weeks filled with creativity, energy, and fun.
Our exciting STEM Week this February is designed for curious minds who love to experiment, explore and discover how the world works.
Children will dive into hands-on investigations, including non-Newtonian fluid, extracting strawberry DNA, creating glow-in-the-dark slime, exploring optical illusions and building an impressive Rube Goldberg machine.
The week also includes inspiring visits to the Science and Experience Centre, where pupils will learn about climate and energy through interactive experiments, as well as a visit to the Novartis SchoolHub, offering real-world insight into science, innovation and discovery.
| ELABasel Families | Non-ELABasel Families | |
Week | CHF 650 | CHF 800 |
| *Per Day | CHF 150 | CHF 200 |
*08:00 – 17:00
Week 2 (24th February - 27th February.
Closed Monday 23rd February)
Theme of the week 'Fascinating Fasnacht'.
Fascinating Fasnacht is an exciting holiday programme that immerses children in the colour, culture and excitement of Basel’s most iconic tradition. From experiencing the joy and energy of Kinderfasnacht in the city centre—with vibrant costumes, drums, Räppli and Dääfeli—to taking part in a playful treasure hunt, uncovering Basel’s hidden secrets, children will learn by doing, exploring and creating.
Throughout the week, they will discover traditional Fasnacht characters such as the Waggis, Ueli and Harlequin, design and bring their own masks and characters to life, and deepen their understanding of Fasnacht through creative activities and a visit to the Museum der Kulturen, where they will explore the history, meaning and music behind this unique celebration.
| ELABasel Families | Non-ELABasel Families | |
Week | CHF 525 | CHF 660 |
| *Per Day | CHF 160 | CHF 190 |
*08:00 – 17:00
Our Alumni discount will be valid for 1 year after leaving as a full-time student. This will be applied before invoicing.
Previous vacation programmes at ELABasel
Fasnacht 2026 T&Cs
- These 2 one-week programmes take place from 16th – 20th February and 24th – 27th February (Closed Monday, 23rd February).
- The children must arrive at Wildensteinerhof, St Alban Vorstadt 32 each morning between 08:00 – 09:00 and bring along a backpack, appropriate clothing, shoes and a water bottle every day for any of the Vacation Programmes. A more detailed item list will be emailed to you a week before the Vacation Programme commences, should something special be required.
- Pick-up is from 16:00-17:00 throughout the week. The latest pickup is at 17:00. Please indicate on the registration form if your child can leave the school grounds independently. We do cater to students’ dietary requirements. Please ensure that these are completed on the registration form.
- Snacks and lunches are always provided as part of the Vacation Programme fee.
- You will receive an invoice for the Vacation Programme. Please note that the place is not confirmed until the invoice is paid.
- There are no refunds for registered sessions not used.