170th Abbendorf Marksmen's Festival

170 Years of Marksmen Tradition in the Altmark

Anyone growing up in Abbendorf – a small district within the Beetzendorf-Diesdorf collective municipality in the Salzwedel district of Altmark – has known the Schützenfest since childhood. The local Marksmen's Club has been organizing the annual festival since 1856, and 2026 will mark the 170th anniversary. For a village of this size, this is more than just a date on the calendar – it is the village festival par excellence, bringing generations together.

The program follows an established Schützenfest ritual: assembling in uniform, marching through the village with a marching band, king's shooting at the range, crowning the new marksman king and queen on the stage in the festival tent. Afterwards, the celebration continues until the music plays its final notes.

Festival Tent, Dancing, and Amblers

Saturday traditionally kicks off with the Zeltfete – an open dance night with a DJ and bar in the festival tent on the Schützenplatz. Sunday morning continues with a morning pint (Frühschoppen), shooting competitions for club members, and family activities. The highlight is the festive proclamation of the king in the afternoon, followed by the parade through Abbendorf with all friendly clubs from the surrounding area.

As everywhere in the Altmark, the Schützenfest has a surprisingly open atmosphere: even those who are not club members are warmly welcome to eat a bratwurst, drink a beer, and dance along. In a federal state like Saxony-Anhalt, where clubs form the backbone of rural life, the Abbendorf Schützenfest is a prime example of how village traditions function today.