Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival

Four days of marksmen and folk festival in Helmstedt with rides and proclamation of the king at Alte Masch

Helmstedt — Landkreis Helmstedt (03154) Since 1370
Brass band Folk traditions Folklore
Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival
Edition
2026
Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival

About Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival

The Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival is the largest folk festival in the university city of Helmstedt in eastern Lower Saxony. Organized by the Helmstedt Marksmen's Brotherhood of 1370 e.V. – one of the oldest marksmen's guilds in Germany – the festival takes place from May 22 to 25, 2026, on the festival grounds An der Alten Masch (Maschweg 9). The rides include Break Dancer, Super Hopser, Autoscooter, and Zombie. Opening hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 2 PM to midnight, Sundays from 2 PM to 10 PM, and Mondays from 2 PM to 8 PM. The folk festival is accompanied by the traditional marksmen's program of the brotherhood with king's shooting, a parade, and the proclamation of the king.
Dates 22 May — 25 May 2026
Venue Helmstedt (03154)
Prices Free
Status
Edition 2026

Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival — edition 2026

The Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival 2026 takes place from May 22 to 25 on the Alte Masch festival grounds. Four days of folk festival with rides such as Break Dancer, Super Hopser, Autoscooter, and Zombie. The organizer is the Helmstedt Marksmen's Brotherhood of 1370 e.V. Parallel to the folk festival activities, the marksmen's program with king's shooting, parade, and proclamation of the king runs. Admission to the festival grounds is free.

Four Days of Festival Program

The festival weekend is designed as a classic folk festival that combines tradition and modernity. The over 655-year-old Marksmen's Brotherhood provides the traditional marksmen's program, while the showmen enrich the folk festival experience with modern rides.

Rides 2026

The confirmed main attractions for 2026 are documented in the source notes: Break Dancer, Super Hopser, Autoscooter, and Zombie. This mix of classic and modern rides caters to different age groups and tastes.

Highlights Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival 2026

  • Four days of marksmen and folk festival in Helmstedt
  • Main attractions Break Dancer, Super Hopser, Autoscooter, Zombie
  • Over 655 years of tradition of the Marksmen's Brotherhood of 1370
  • Parade through Helmstedt's old town
  • Proclamation of the king by the brotherhood

Programme Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival 2026

Program Schedule

The following festival schedule is planned for the four days:

Friday, May 22, 2026

  • 2:00 PM: Opening of the festival grounds with beer tapping
  • 4:00 PM: First rides in operation
  • 7:00 PM: Peak visiting time for adults with high-speed rides
  • Midnight: Closing of the first day

Saturday, May 23, 2026

  • 2:00 PM: Reopening
  • 3:00 PM: Marksmen's program of the brotherhood
  • 4:00 PM: Parade through Helmstedt's old town
  • 8:00 PM: Peak visiting time with full capacity of rides
  • 10:00 PM: Proclamation of the king
  • Midnight: Closing of the second day

Sunday, May 24, 2026

  • 2:00 PM: Reopening
  • 3:00 PM: Family time with children's carousels
  • 10:00 PM: Closing of the third day

Monday, May 25, 2026

  • 2:00 PM: Last day, family day with reduced prices
  • 8:00 PM: Official end of the festival

Prices Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival 2026

Festival grounds free. Rides and refreshments on site.
Practical information

Practical information — Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival

Date

May 22 to 25, 2026 (Friday to Monday).

Opening Hours

Friday and Saturday 2 PM to midnight. Sunday 2 PM to 10 PM. Monday 2 PM to 8 PM.

Location

Festival grounds An der Alten Masch, Maschweg 9, 38350 Helmstedt.

Admission

Festival grounds are free to enter. Rides and refreshments are paid for on site.

Rides

Break Dancer, Super Hopser, Autoscooter, Zombie, and others.

Organizer

Helmstedt Marksmen's Brotherhood of 1370 e.V. — hsb-helmstedt.de.

Getting There

By car via the A2 (Helmstedt exit). Parking available at the festival grounds. By train to Helmstedt.

Helmstedt Marksmen's Brotherhood of 1370

The Helmstedt Marksmen's Brotherhood of 1370 e.V. is one of the oldest marksmen's guilds in Germany. With a history of over 655 years, it is deeply rooted in the social life of the university city of Helmstedt. The brotherhood preserves the marksmen's traditions and annually hosts the major marksmen's and folk festival, which is one of the most important events in the region.

Alte Masch Festival Grounds

The festival grounds An der Alten Masch at Maschweg 9 have been the central venue for years. Its location on the outskirts of the city offers ample space for rides, a festival tent, food stalls, and parking.

Four Days of Festival Program

The festival runs for four days: Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23, Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25, 2026. The opening hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 2 PM to midnight, Sundays from 2 PM to 10 PM, and Mondays from 2 PM to 8 PM. A marksmen's program and a folk festival program will be offered in parallel throughout the weekend.

Rides 2026

The confirmed rides for 2026 are: Break Dancer (classic high-thrill ride with rotating cabins), Super Hopser (swing ride), Autoscooter (bumper cars), and Zombie (modern themed ride). In addition, children's carousels, shooting galleries, candy stalls, and food stands are expected.

Marksmen's Program

Parallel to the folk festival activities, the brotherhood's marksmen's program takes place. King's shooting, a parade through Helmstedt's old town, and the proclamation of the king are the highlights of the festival weekend. The marksmen appear in historical uniforms, emphasizing the tradition of the over 655-year-old brotherhood.

Helmstedt — University City on the Lappwald

Helmstedt is an independent city in eastern Lower Saxony with approximately 25,000 inhabitants. The city is known for its former university (1576-1810), its historic town center with half-timbered buildings, and its former inner-German border location. The marksmen's and folk festival is one of the most important social events of the year.

Where it takes place Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival

Festplatz Alte Masch Helmstedt
Maschweg 9, 38350 Helmstedt

Helmstedt Marksmen and Folk Festival at a glance

Brass band Folk traditions Folklore Family Playful Landkreis Helmstedt

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