Anniversary Schützenfest Bürgerschützen Handorf

Münster-Handorf — the most traditional marksmen's club in the East

The Bürgerschützen Handorf e.V. are among the most traditional marksmen's clubs in eastern Münster. The district of Handorf is located east of Münster's city center on the Werse river, has a rural-suburban character, and its own strong club culture. In 2026, the club is celebrating a special anniversary edition — the festival logo bears the abbreviation “Jubi”, and the exact anniversary number will be announced by the club in advance.

The 2026 Anniversary Schützenfest — May 27 and 28

The anniversary Schützenfest will take place on Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Festplatz Handorf — the club's traditional venue in the district. The exact schedule and festival program will be published by the board in the weeks before the event on buergerschuetzen-handorf.de and in the local Münster press.

Expected Program for the Anniversary Edition

An anniversary Schützenfest follows a slightly more elaborate program than regular annual Schützenfeste:

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

• Festival tent opening with musical accompaniment
• Zapfenstreich (drum tattoo) and welcome of the reigning king and queen
• Grand dance evening in the festival tent with a live band — usually with a high-caliber act for the anniversary celebration

Thursday, May 28, 2026

• Assembly of club departments at the festival grounds
• Grand parade through the Handorf district with marksmen, king and queen, music bands, and floats
• King's shooting at the bird — selection of the new king and queen for the anniversary season
• Coronation and festive conclusion in the festival tent

Handorf — District in Eastern Münster

The district of Handorf is located about 8 km east of Münster's city center on the Werse, a tributary of the Ems. With its own church (St. Petronilla), schools, clubs, and traditional Münsterland architecture, Handorf has a special character — more rural than the city center, but firmly connected to the big city by Münster's city limits. The Bürgerschützen Handorf are a central club institution of the district.

The Jubi Edition — Something Special

Anniversary Schützenfeste are an important occasion in Münsterland's marksmen tradition — every 25, 50, or 100 years, special festival editions are celebrated, with commemorative publications, special emblems, sometimes special editions of the club song. The “Jubi” abbreviation in the header logo of the club's website and in the festival calendar for 2026 signals: this year is not just any Schützenfest, but a highlight of the club's history.

Münster-Ost and its Marksmen Traditions

Münster-Ost, with the districts of Handorf, Mauritz, and Coerde, has a diverse marksmen and club landscape — different districts each have their own marksmen's brotherhood with annual festivals. The Bürgerschützen Handorf are considered the most traditional in this cluster of districts.