Freischießen, Volks- und Kreisschützenfest Sarstedt

A Major Event of Lower Saxony Shooting Tradition

Sarstedt, a town of around 19,000 inhabitants in the northern Hildesheim district, has been an important shooting location for generations. The annual Freischießen with its folk and shooting festival attracts visitors from the entire Hildesheim district and the Hanover region. In 2026, the festival gains additional significance: as the Kreisschützenfest, it brings together the shooting clubs of the entire Hildesheim district, and the tapping of the keg will be celebrated for the 50th time for this program point.

Four Days of Program

The festival runs from Friday to Monday. It opens on Friday with an ecumenical church service, which forms the festive prelude and acknowledges the importance of the festival for the town community. On Friday evening, the tapping of the keg follows, traditionally opening the festival tent; in 2026, this tapping will be performed for the 50th time and celebrated with special fireworks. Saturday brings the full festival program with shooting competitions, family activities, and grand dance evenings. Sunday is dedicated to the grand parade through Sarstedt, and Monday concludes the event with a children's parade and winding down.

Kreisschützenfest 2026

As the Kreisschützenfest 2026, Sarstedt opens its doors to the shooting societies of the entire Hildesheim district. Shooting companies from Hildesheim, Bad Salzdetfurth, Alfeld, Diekholzen, and many other places will travel with their flags, traditional costumes, and marching bands to participate in the grand parade. This makes the parade on Sunday one of the most impressive shooting marches in the region.

Amusement Park and Festival Tent

Parallel to the shooting program, the area is transformed into an amusement park: carousels, roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and other rides, food stalls, lottery booths, and shooting galleries offer a classic Volksfest atmosphere. The large festival tent serves as the central venue for the dance evenings and the King's dinner.

Rooted in Sarstedt

The Schützenfest is deeply rooted in Sarstedt's club life. SV 51 Sarstedt and the Allgemeine Schützengilde (ASG) bear the main organizational burden, supported by numerous helpers from the town community. For the people of Sarstedt, the Schützenfest is the social highlight of the summer.