Emden Schützenfest and Volksfest
The oldest traditional festival in the seaport city of Emden with a parade, king's shooting, and around 70 showman businesses
About Emden Schützenfest
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Tradition for Centuries
The Emden Schützenfest is one of the oldest folk and customs festivals in the East Frisian port city. Its roots reach back to the early modern period when civic shooting guilds took on tasks for the protection of the city walls and demonstrated their marksmanship in regular competitions. Today, the Schützenfest is both a celebration of tradition and a folk festival, supported by the Emden Shooting Association and the City of Emden.
Festival Grounds and Showman Businesses
Around 70 showman businesses gather annually on the central Schützenplatz on Auricher Straße: large and small carousels, dodgems, haunted house, Ferris wheel, game stalls, candy vendors, snack stands, and beer stands. The festival grounds cater to families, young people, and older visitors alike. Opening hours: daily 2 PM to 10 PM, on Sundays from 12 PM.
Schützenfest Program
The actual Schützenfest program frames the Volksfest activities: It begins on Friday evening with the traditional torchlight procession through the city center to the festival grounds. On Sunday, a grand parade with music groups, shooting associations, clubs, and guests of honor marches through Emden. On Monday, the king's shooting takes place, followed by the ceremonial proclamation of the new king and his court. The family day offers reduced prices on rides. The event concludes on Tuesday evening with a grand fireworks display over the festival grounds.
Atmosphere and Tradition
For decades, the Schützenfest has been an important social meeting point for the entire Emden region and eastern East Frisia. Associations, families, and groups of friends make the festival a late-summer ritual. Despite its size, the festival retains a family-friendly character; free admission to the festival grounds ensures accessible participation for all population groups.
Emden Schützenfest — edition 2026
The 2026 program follows the established festival week with a fixed choreography. The opening on Friday evening with the torchlight procession has remained unchanged for decades and regularly attracts several thousand spectators along the route. The grand parade on Sunday through the city center is the visual highlight of the festival.
The exact routes, times for the king's shooting and proclamation, as well as the program points for the family day, will be published on the websites of the City of Emden, the Shooting Association, and the Tourist Information emden-touristik.de.
Programme Emden Schützenfest 2026
The 2026 program is confirmed by the organizers:
- Friday, 18.09.2026 – Festival opening, traditional torchlight procession through the city center to the Schützenplatz
- Saturday, 19.09.2026 – Volksfest activities, evening dance event in the festival tent
- Sunday, 20.09.2026 – Grand parade through Emden, Volksfest activities from 12 PM
- Monday, 21.09.2026 – King's shooting, followed by the ceremonial proclamation of the new royal couple
- Tuesday, 22.09.2026 – Family day, grand fireworks display in the evening to conclude the festival
- Continuously: approx. 70 showman businesses (carousels, dodgems, haunted house, game stalls, candy vendors)
Current detailed schedules and program points will be announced via kuestenkirmes.de and emden.de.
Highlights Emden Schützenfest 2026
- Oldest traditional festival in the seaport city of Emden over 5 days
- Torchlight procession on Friday evening
- Grand parade through the city center on Sunday
- King's shooting and proclamation on Monday
- Grand concluding fireworks on Tuesday evening
- Around 70 showman businesses and free admission
Prices Emden Schützenfest 2026
Practical information — Emden Schützenfest
Date 2026
- Friday, September 18, 2026 to Tuesday, September 22, 2026
- Opening hours: Mon–Sat 2 PM–10 PM, Sun 12 PM–10 PM
Location
- Schützenplatz, Auricher Straße
- 26721 Emden, East Frisia, Lower Saxony
Admission
- Free admission to the festival grounds
- Rides and refreshments are subject to charge
Getting There
- Emden Hauptbahnhof (main train station), bus lines to the Schützenplatz
- By car via the A 31 or A 28
Organizer
- City of Emden in cooperation with Emden Shooting Association
- Website: emden-touristik.de
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Emden Schützenfest al mejor precio.
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