Whitsun festival of the Emsbüren Civil Marksmen's Association since 1750 — four days with maypole raising and maypole auction
The Emsbüren Civil Marksmen's Association e.V. was founded in 1750 — a time when civil marksmen's associations were established in many German cities. With over 275 years of club history, the BSV Emsbüren is one of the oldest and most traditional associations in the community and upholds the civic marksmen's tradition.
The festival traditionally takes place on Whitsun — in 2026, from Saturday, May 23rd, to Tuesday, May 26th. With two public holidays (Whitsun Sunday and Whitsun Monday), the extended weekend provides the ideal setting for a four-day festival program.
What distinguishes the Emsbüren Civil Marksmen's Festival from many other Whitsun festivals is the maypole tradition:
Festival kickoff with the traditional maypole raising, opening evening with live music or DJ.
Children's festival in the morning, followed by shooting competitions and a festival service, dance evening.
Main shooting to determine the king, followed by the polonaise (festive procession of the king couples and dignitaries) and the grand king's ball.
Auction of the maypole as a humorous closing highlight, closing evening with dancing and socializing.
Like all major civic marksmen's associations, the BSV Emsbüren is more than just an association — it is part of the town's identity. The Whitsun festival is not just an association festival but a town festival with broad participation from the Emsbüren population.
The 2026 edition continues the old Whitsun tradition. With the maypole raising on Saturday and the auction on Tuesday, the festival offers unique program points that are rarely found elsewhere.
Festival grounds of the Emsbüren Civil Marksmen's Association.
Saturday, May 23 — Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (Whitsun).
Admission to the festival grounds is usually free; the king's ball may have an entrance fee.
Sat: Maypole raising, Tue: Maypole auction — an Emsbüren tradition.
Emsbüren Civil Marksmen's Association e.V. (since 1750), buergerschuetzenverein-emsbueren.de.
Emsbüren is located in the southern Emsland region; travel by car.
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