Johanniskirmes and Schützenfest Mettmann

590 Years of Marksmen Tradition in Mettmann

The St. Sebastianus Schützenbruderschaft Mettmann was founded in the year 1435 — making it one of the oldest marksmen's associations in Germany. In 2026, the brotherhood celebrates 590 years of tradition, and the annual Schützenfest is the central highlight in Mettmann's festival calendar. For four days, from Friday, June 26 to Monday, June 29, 2026, Schützenfest and Johanniskirmes unite in downtown Mettmann — a double event rarely offered so compactly in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Schützenfest AND Kirmes — the Mettmann Special

Unlike most Schützenfeste in North Rhine-Westphalia (which usually take place on a cordoned-off fairground), the Mettmann format integrates the Schützenfest directly into the city center. On 64 plots, there are 9 major amusement rides and more than 55 other Kirmes stalls — shooting galleries, candy stalls, raffles, show booths, snack bars. For the 2025 Schützenfest, the following were featured for the first time: the looping swing Intoxx, the haunted house Ghost, the overhead carousel Jetlag, and the Polype. A mix of classics and premieres is expected again in 2026.

Four Days of Program — Marksmen and Kirmes in Parallel

The Mettmann daily schedule (based on 2025) provides an orientation — the 2026 dates will be finalized in spring 2026:

• Friday, June 26, 2026 — Opening: 6:50 PM barrel tapping by Mayor Sandra Pietschmann, from 8 PM live band on the main stage, approx. 10:25 PM opening fireworks
• Saturday, June 27, 2026 — Preliminary Shooting: from 10:30 AM preliminary shooting, 6 PM marksmen's service, 7 PM Grand Tattoo, followed by live band
• Sunday, June 28, 2026 — King's Shooting: 6 AM wake-up call by marching bands, 11:30 AM musical morning pint, 2:30 PM marksmen's parade, 4:30 PM king's shooting
• Monday, June 29, 2026 — Family Day + Coronation: Family Day with ecumenical church service, evening reception at the town hall and coronation ball

The program combines the ceremonial marksmen's elements (parade, king's shooting, coronation) with the hustle and bustle of the Kirmes — a mix that makes the Mettmann format unique.

Opening Fireworks and Live Bands

Live music plays a significant role in the Mettmann format: in 2025, bands like Pirates of Love, Trials of Life, and Golden Boys performed. The opening fireworks on Friday evening (10:25 PM) are a traditional highlight — visible far beyond Mettmann's city center. Those with a window overlooking the city center have box seats.

St. Sebastianus 1435 — One of the Oldest Brotherhoods

The St. Sebastianus Schützenbruderschaft Mettmann was founded in 1435 (during the time of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation) and is thus among the oldest marksmen's associations in Germany. Its roots go back to a late medieval civic guard that defended the town of Mettmann and invoked Saint Sebastian as its patron (the patron saint against plague and protector of marksmen). Today, the brotherhood has several hundred members and is the central custodian of tradition in the city.

Mettmann — Gateway to the Neander Valley

Mettmann is the district town of the Kreis Mettmann, east of Düsseldorf, in the western Bergisches Land region. Mettmann is primarily known as the Neanderthal City — the valley of the same name with the Neanderthal Museum is located just outside the city gates. With just under 39,000 inhabitants, Mettmann is a smaller but tradition-conscious town in Düsseldorf's commuter belt. The Johanniskirmes is its identity-defining festival highlight — four days when the entire city meets in the center.

North Rhine-Westphalia — Land of Marksmen

In the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, especially in the Bergisches Land region, the marksmen's tradition is deeply rooted. The marksmen's associations in the Neanderthal region (Mettmann, Erkrath, Velbert, Wülfrath, Hilden, Ratingen) all celebrate their own Schützenfeste — the Mettmann Johanniskirmes is among the most significant due to its size and tradition.