Dekanatsschützenfest Selfkant-Tüddern

In the westernmost corner of Germany

The municipality of Selfkant in the Heinsberg district is a geographical curiosity: it is home to the westernmost point of Germany. Encircled by the Netherlands on three sides, the region cultivates a special blend of Rhenish and Dutch traditions. The Schützenwesen (marksmen's tradition) is deeply rooted – every district has its own brotherhood. The St. Sebastianus Schützenbruderschaft Tüddern e.V. is one of the oldest and most active, and every few years it hosts the grand Dekanatsschützenfest, to which marksmen from the entire deanery travel.

Four days of Schützen tradition

From Friday, July 10th to Monday, July 13th, 2026, Tüddern will transform into the centre of Selfkant's marksmen's life. It opens with the assembly of the brotherhood and the high mass in St. Bartholomew's Church. Saturday is dedicated to the Vogelschuss – on the marksmen's grounds, the marksmen compete for the dignity of King and Queen 2026/2027. On Sunday, the grand parade marches through Tüddern and the surrounding districts, with music bands, marksmen's companies from the entire deanery, and an impressive parade in full uniform. The event concludes with the King's Ball and the Marksmen's Breakfast on Monday.

Dekanatsschützenfest — what does that mean?

Unlike the annual district marksmen's festival, the Dekanatsschützenfest is a special, larger festival to which all brotherhoods of a deanery – an ecclesiastical administrative district – are invited. It is hosted on a rotational basis by the brotherhoods and is the highlight of the regional marksmen's year. For Tüddern in 2026, this means: hundreds of marksmen from the entire region will come to Selfkant, march along, participate in the parade, and celebrate at the Schützenfest. The atmosphere is characterised by a strong sense of community and homeland.

Tradition with a wink

When people think of Schützenfest, they often imagine stiff, formal Vereinsmeierei (club life). The Selfkant Schützenfest proves otherwise: the brotherhoods here are deeply embedded in village life, young marksmen carry on the tradition, families are naturally part of the festival, and the mood is exuberant without any forced element. Anyone travelling through Selfkant by bike or car in July and seeing a Schützenfest sign should simply stop by – guests are welcome, the festival tent is open, and in Selfkant, people celebrate along rather than just watching.