A look back at the Advent sparkle 2025

The children's delight in this gentle, shining giant was truly immense. As soon as Dundu appeared, everyone wanted to get a high-five with him, touch his sparkling hands or simply run alongside him in amazement. The figure's warm, almost magical charisma captivated not only the little ones, but also many adults.

During our walks through the city, I perceived the illuminated alleyways and the Inseli in a completely different way. With Dundu at our side, the familiar paths were transformed into a little winter fairy tale - a backdrop in which Rheinfelden shone even brighter with all its Christmassy splendor.

- Brigitte Brügger, Project Manager Culture

Christmas is a holiday that I have always enjoyed celebrating. But it was only recently that I realized how little I actually knew about the age-old traditions and rituals that we still live by today, albeit in a slightly different way.

The Christmas tour with Robi Conrad gave me a completely new understanding of where many of our customs come from. Every stop, every anecdote and every little historical detail gave me a new perspective on the festival that is so close to my heart.

And then this old town in the warm Christmas glow as a backdrop - simply magical. I could have listened to Robi Conrad's stories for much longer and enjoyed the atmospheric ambience of the town to the full.

- Jacqueline Russo, Product and Marketing Manager at Tourismus Rheinfelden

The Advent windows at Hugenfeld School are a very impressive part of the Rheinfeld Advent sparkle. For weeks, the teachers plan and work with the children on these wonderful works of art. When the countdown starts on the evening of the official opening, the caretaker switches on the lights on all three floors and the children look for "their" pictures to proudly show them to their parents, then the big celebration can begin. For me, these are very precious moments that once again make it clear how wonderful it is to create something together that subsequently brings joy to so many people.

- Janine Tschopp, freelance journalist

In the midst of the pre-Christmas magic, there was a very special moment for me on December 6: Santa Claus, accompanied by his Schmutzli, stood in front of the lovingly designed nativity scene on Zähringerplatz - surrounded by the carved wooden figures that invite many visitors to marvel and pause every year. He was able to hand out around 200 bags to the children. Even DunDu got one!

This year, Zähringerplatz was designed by the two creative minds from Fusing Art. The whole thing was actively supported by the OC of the "Christmas" team from the Pro Altstadt association. Together we decorated 25 Christmas trees and set up the centerpiece - the nativity scene - with great attention to detail.

And when you round off the evening with a mulled wine at Fusing Art or in the chalet opposite, an atmospheric Advent evening is simply perfect for me.

- Corinne Caracuta, City Manager

My first highlight of the Advent season does not show the festively illuminated Städtli, but the moment beforehand: the painstaking construction work that makes all the sparkle possible in the first place. The picture captures how the approximately seven-metre-high, 20-year-old Nordmann fir tree is manoeuvred into the inner courtyard of the town hall with millimetre precision - a precise feat of strength that is representative of the countless hours invested by employees from the forestry and works yard. A quiet but significant moment that shows how much joint commitment is behind the festive atmosphere. Together with City Management, the tourist and cultural office, Pro Altstadt, schools and many private individuals, Rhyfälde becomes a "Wiehnachtsstädtli" - that's a highlight!

- Nicolás Schmid, Head of Staff Services/City Marketing

My second highlight of the Advent sparkle: the glowing "Rhyfälde" sign at the Schützenpärkli - a very small copy of the famous Hollywood sign and today the sparkling entrance gate to the atmospherically illuminated Old Town. It attracts attention, becomes a popular backdrop for souvenir photos and creates a wonderful atmosphere every time. I am a little proud to have realized this idea a few years ago and, above all, to see how much visitors enjoy it.

- Nicolás Schmid, Head of Staff Services/City Marketing

How nice it is to stroll through the wonderfully illuminated city park in the evening after a hard day. Everywhere you look, you can see the little details that event technician Tobias Degen has lovingly and passionately added to the overall magic of lights. A few stars here, illuminated trees here, colored balls, fairy lights...

People come from near and far to experience the wonderful magic of lights in the Stadtpark. Not only Stadtpark West, but also Inseli, Schützenpärkli, Idi-Furrer-Platz and the Storchennest and Obertorturm attract hundreds of young and old visitors to Städtli every day with their light installations, who simply enjoy, marvel and are enchanted again and again as they stroll through the lights.

- Janine Tschopp, freelance journalist