Heerdter Schützenfest 2026 — St. Sebastianus Schützenverein 1573

Marksmen Tradition Since 1573 in Düsseldorf-Heerdt

The St. Sebastianus Schützenverein Heerdt 1573 e.V. is one of Germany's oldest marksmen's associations — founded over 450 years ago, shortly after the Council of Trent. Today, Heerdt is part of Düsseldorf's District 4, but for centuries it was an independent municipality on the left bank of the Rhine. From May 8th to 11th, 2026, the next Schützenfest will take place — four days of Bürgerfest with a long tradition and new leadership.

New Board 2026

Generational Change at the Top

2026 marks a generational transition in the club's board. Newly appointed:

• Nils Bessert — Head Marksman
• Saskia Schmied — Deputy (one of the few women in this role in the Lower Rhine marksmen's tradition)
• Anna Ieronimos — Secretary (and new: parade commentator)
• Michaela Nausch-Schlungs — Treasurer

The significant female presence on the new board is a deliberate step towards modernizing the traditional marksmen's associations.

Program 2026

Friday, May 8th — Opening

Parade opening, welcome of friendly associations, opening of the festival tent, first evening event.

Saturday, May 9th — Junior Marksmen's Evening

New in 2026: Saturday evening is dedicated to the Junior Marksmen — with the band Abrisshelden performing live. A conscious effort to foster closer ties with young members.

Sunday, May 10th — Grand Parade

The parade on Sunday afternoon along Rheinallee is the highlight of the weekend. The King couple Dennis Kamp and Susi Strahl, as well as the young royals Leon Platz and Ashley Greig, will perform their final ceremonial duties before the coronation of their successors on Monday. Anna Ieronimos will be the parade commentator — one of the first female commentators in the club's history.

Parade Logistics 2026

Sunday's parade logistics have been reorganized for 2026: the officials are now on the other side of the street, requiring an extra lap for the marksmen formations to reach their positions. This organizational change will be visible during the parade.

Monday, May 11th — Coronation and Closing

Coronation of the new Marksmen Kings (Senior and Junior). Grand Zapfenstreich as the ceremonial conclusion of the Schützenfest. Farewell to the outgoing King couple Dennis Kamp and Susi Strahl.

Heerdt — Düsseldorf's Left-Rhine District

Heerdt is located on the left bank of the Rhine in Düsseldorf, opposite the old harbor and Düsseldorf's main city center. Until 1909, Heerdt was an independent municipality before being incorporated into the city of Düsseldorf. However, Heerdt's marksmen tradition dates back to its time as an independent community and is an important element of civic identity today. The Rheinallee along the Rhine promenade offers the most beautiful route for the parade — with historic Heerdt houses on the left and the Rhine with views of the Düsseldorf skyline on the right bank.

Marksmen Tradition on the Lower Rhine

The Lower Rhine region, including Düsseldorf, Krefeld, Mönchengladbach, and the small towns in between, boasts one of the highest concentrations of marksmen's associations in Germany. The tradition dates back to medieval citizen militias and religious brotherhoods — the St. Sebastianus Schützenverein Heerdt, with its patron saint St. Sebastian, is a prime example.