Name: 91st Hahneköpper Foundation Festival Solingen-Gräfrath 2026
Start: 2026-08-14T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-16T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Festzelt am Brandteich, Solingen-Gräfrath

Hahneköpper Foundation Festival

About Hahneköpper Foundation Festival

From August 14th to 16th, 2026, the Gräfrath Hahneköpper and St. Sebastianus Riflemen will celebrate their 91st Foundation Festival in the marquee at Brandteich in Solingen-Gräfrath. Three days of marquee festival with traditional riflemen's music, family program, and free admission — one of the oldest district festivals in Solingen. Friday opening from 11:30 AM, Saturday and Sunday full program. Organized by the Solingen-Gräfrath Local Heritage Association.

Dates 14 Aug — 16 Aug 2026

Venue Solingen (05122)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Hahneköpper Foundation Festival — edition 2026

91st Foundation Festival of the Gräfrath Hahneköpper and St. Sebastianus Riflemen in the marquee at Brandteich, Solingen-Gräfrath. Three days of riflemen tradition since 1935 with opening on Friday from 11:30 AM, Assumption of Mary highlight on Saturday, and family program on Sunday. Free admission.

Three days of marquee festival at the traditional Brandteich festival grounds. Opening on Friday, main festival day on Saturday with parade and King's shooting competition, family program on Sunday.

Highlights Hahneköpper Foundation Festival 2026

91st Foundation Festival since 1935
Marquee at Brandteich, traditional festival grounds
Parade on Saturday (Assumption of Mary)
King's shooting competition and proclamation
Free admission

Programme Hahneköpper Foundation Festival 2026

Friday, August 14, 2026 — from 11:30 AM

Marquee opening with welcome by the local heritage association. Morning pint (Frühschoppen), brass music. Live dance music in the evening.

Saturday, August 15, 2026 (Assumption of Mary)

Parade of the Hahneköpper through Gräfrath. King's shooting competition at the target bird. Dance ball in the evening with live band.

Sunday, August 16, 2026 — from 11:30 AM

Festival service. Morning pint (Frühschoppen) with brass music. Family program in the afternoon. King's proclamation. Festival conclusion.

Prices Hahneköpper Foundation Festival 2026

Free admission. Marquee consumption with individual prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Hahneköpper Foundation Festival

Date

August 14–16, 2026 (Friday to Sunday).

Location

Festzelt am Brandteich, 42653 Solingen-Gräfrath.

Admission

Free.

Getting There

Bus line SB58/606 from Solingen HBF — stop Gräfrath Markt. A46 exit Solingen.

The Hahneköpper — Solingen's Oldest Riflemen Tradition

The Gräfrath Hahneköpper are one of Solingen's most traditional riflemen communities. The name refers to the once widespread custom of "Hahneköpfen" (cock-chopping) — an archaic form of shooting game where riflemen shot a wooden cock from a pole. Today, the tradition has become an identity-forming club festival that takes place annually around August 15th.

91st Edition 2026 — Almost a Century of Tradition

The 91st Foundation Festival from Friday, August 14th to Sunday, August 16th, 2026 marks the tradition since 1935. The organizer is the Heimatverein Solingen-Gräfrath e.V. (Solingen-Gräfrath Local Heritage Association) in conjunction with the St. Sebastianus Schützen-Bruderschaft (St. Sebastianus Riflemen Brotherhood). The dual sponsorship explains the comprehensive character: not just a riflemen's festival, but also a district festival for the entire Gräfrath area.

Marquee at Brandteich

The venue is the Festzelt am Brandteich (Marquee at Brandteich) in 42653 Solingen-Gräfrath — at the traditional festival grounds by the water, in the middle of the historic town center. The marquee accommodates several hundred people and is the focal point for all three days. Outdoor area with beer service, food stalls, and children's play areas.

Program 2026

The specific detailed program will be published shortly before the festival. Classic components of the Foundation Festival:

Friday, August 14th — Opening from 11:30 AM with marquee welcome. Morning pint (Frühschoppen), brass music. Live dance music in the evening.
Saturday, August 15th (Assumption of Mary) — Traditional highlight day with a parade of the Hahneköpper, King's shooting competition, dance ball.
Sunday, August 16th — Festival service, morning pint (Frühschoppen) from 11:30 AM, family program, King's proclamation in the afternoon.

Gräfrath — The Historic Solingen District

Gräfrath has been part of Solingen since 1929 (previously an independent town). The place has its own identity as a historic monastery town with the famous Gräfrath market square and the former Augustinian monastery. The Hahneköpper are deeply rooted in the district — the Foundation Festival is Gräfrath's annual identity event.