JSV Erwitte 300-Year Anniversary Schützenfest
Grand Anniversary Schützenfest for the 300th anniversary of the Jungschützenverein Erwitte 1726 — four days from May 1st–4th, 2026 in the district of Soest
About JSV Erwitte 300 Years
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a JSV Erwitte 300 Years al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
JSV Erwitte 1726 — a 300-year-old association
The Jungschützenverein Erwitte 1726 e.V. is one of the oldest marksmen's associations in southeastern Westphalia. In 2026, it celebrates its 300th anniversary — a historic highlight that makes the anniversary edition of the Schützenfest the largest celebratory event in Erwitte's marksmen's history. The anniversary Schützenfest runs from Friday, May 1st, 2026, to Monday, May 4th, 2026, over four days with an expanded program compared to the standard annual Schützenfeste.
Program Lines of an Anniversary Schützenfest
Like all Westphalian Schützenfeste, the anniversary festival follows the traditional schedule but is expanded due to the significance of the anniversary:
- Grand ceremonial act with representatives from the marksmen's federation, the city of Erwitte, and friendly associations
- Parade with the King and Queen, their court, and friendly associations from the district of Soest
- Bird shooting to determine the new King and Queen for 2026/2027
- High Mass in the parish church
- King's Ball as the social highlight
- Festival tent with dance music, live bands, and catering throughout all four days
- Historical exhibition or commemorative publication on the 300-year history of the association
Marksmen's Year 2026 in the District of Soest
Erwitte is not the only marksmen's anniversary in 2026 in the district of Soest: the SB Süddinker (200 years, May 14th–17th), the SV Mellrich-Waltringhausen (430 years, May 15th–18th), and the SB Mawicke (400 years, June 19th–22nd) are also celebrating anniversaries. The anniversary year 2026 makes the district of Soest one of North Rhine-Westphalia's most important marksmen's centers. The District Marksmen's Festival (August 29th, 2026, in Mawicke) and the Regional Marksmen's Festival (September 11th–12th, 2026, in Niederense) are the central supra-regional dates.
Erwitte — a medium-sized town in the Hellweg region
Erwitte is a town with around 16,000 inhabitants in the district of Soest in North Rhine-Westphalia, located in the Hellweg region between Soest and Lippstadt. The town has a long mining and industrial tradition (limestone, cement industry) and a vibrant club life. With its 300-year Jungschützenverein tradition, Erwitte boasts one of the oldest continuously active marksmen's associations in the region — a piece of living Westphalian history.
JSV Erwitte 300 Years — edition 2026
2026 Program — Four Days of Anniversary Schützenfest
The 2026 anniversary edition expands the traditional Schützenfest format with a historical ceremonial act for the 300th anniversary. The structure is typically as follows (detailed program from the association):
Friday, May 1st, 2026 — Anniversary Kick-off
- Labor Day / May Day — festive start
- Assembly of marksmen, welcome of guests
- Opening of the festival tent, live music in the evening
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 — Bird Shooting Day
- Grand parade with the King and Queen, their court, and friendly associations from the district of Soest
- Bird shooting to determine the new King and Queen for 2026/2027
- Proclamation of the new monarchs
- Evening: King's Ball in the festival tent
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 — Festive High Mass and Ceremonial Act
- Festive High Mass in Erwitte Parish Church
- Grand ceremonial act for the 300th anniversary with representatives from the marksmen's federation and the city of Erwitte
- Festival tent program in the afternoon and evening
Monday, May 4th, 2026 — Winding Down
- Family Day, winding down the anniversary weekend
- Morning pint and final festival tent evening
The exact hourly program for 2026 will be published by JSV Erwitte in due time.
Programme JSV Erwitte 300 Years 2026
Overview JSV Erwitte 300th Anniversary Schützenfest
- Friday, May 1st, 2026 — Kick-off on Labor Day; Festival tent opening
- Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 — Grand parade, bird shooting, proclamation, King's Ball
- Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 — Festive High Mass in the parish church, 300th anniversary ceremonial act, festival tent
- Monday, May 4th, 2026 — Family Day and winding down
Tradition
- JSV Erwitte 1726 — one of the oldest marksmen's associations in southeastern Westphalia
- Several anniversaries in the district of Soest in the 2026 marksmen's year: JSV Erwitte (300), SB Süddinker (200), SV Mellrich-Waltringhausen (430), SB Mawicke (400)
- District Marksmen's Festival on August 29th, 2026, in Mawicke, Regional Marksmen's Festival September 11th–12th, 2026, in Niederense
Detailed 2026 program at jsv-erwitte.net.
Highlights JSV Erwitte 300 Years 2026
- 300th Anniversary — historical ceremonial act
- Bird shooting and King proclamation
- Festive High Mass with representatives from the marksmen's federation
- Four-day program compared to standard festivals
Prices JSV Erwitte 300 Years 2026
Parade and bird shooting are freely accessible. Admission to the festival tent on the King's Ball evening is subject to a fee (usually €8–€15 depending on the day). Catering is available at association prices.
Practical information — JSV Erwitte 300 Years
Getting There
Erwitte is accessible by car via the A44 (Erwitte/Anröchte exit) and the B55. Lippstadt train station offers bus connections to Erwitte. Parking will be designated at the festival grounds for the anniversary days.
Admission
Parade and bird shooting are freely accessible. Admission to the festival tent on the King's Ball evening is subject to a fee. Food and drinks are available at association prices.
Tip
An expanded program is expected for the 2026 anniversary compared to the annual festivals — historical ceremonial act, commemorative publication, possibly a historical exhibition. The exact daily times and the complete anniversary program will be published by the association at jsv-erwitte.net in due time.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a JSV Erwitte 300 Years al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place JSV Erwitte 300 Years
Festwiese und Innenstadt Erwitte
Festwiese Erwitte, 59597 Erwitte