Carnival

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Basel Switzerland's most famous carnival kicks off with an early morning procession, the Morgenstreich, which starts at 4 a.m. on Monday. (Keystone) Keystone

Basel Carnival is serious business in Basel, where belonging to a "clique" means you are someone in society. (Keystone) Keystone

Basel More than 10.000 masked carnival members parade along a set route through the city centre displaying their special carnival topics, accompanied by the sound of drums, piccolos and "Gugge" music. (Keystone) Keystone

Basel Groups of Schnitzelbank singers tour the city's bars and restaurants, reciting their verses on local topics from the past year. (Keystone) Keystone

Basel In Basel, everyone traditionally wears a carnival badge. The money from the sale of these badges goes to cover some of the costs of the groups who participate in the carnival. (Keystone) Keystone

Lucerne In Lucerne, carnival begins early too, with a 5.15 a.m. start. (Keystone) Keystone

Lötschental, canton Valais Participants in the Lötschental valley, canton Valais, sport the scariest masks of any carnival festivities. (Keystone) Keystone

Schwyz Traditional masks are to be found in many carnivals, such as in Schwyz. (Keystone) Keystone

Bern The carnival parade in the Swiss capital takes participants past the parliament building. (Keystone) Keystone

Bellinzona The king and queen of the Rabadan parade in Bellinzona, canton Ticino. (Keystone) Keystone

Payerne Musicians outside Payerne Abbey during the first of the Protestant carnivals, which kick off one week after the Catholic cantons. (Keystone) Keystone

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Party fever hits Swiss towns and villages