Kreisschützenfest 2026 Salzkotten

Kreisschützenfest Büren — Westphalia's Largest Schützenfest

The Kreisschützenfest of the Büren District Association of Marksmen is one of the largest Schützenfest events in all of Germany — and by its own definition, the largest Schützenfest in Westphalia. The event is organized by the Büren District Association of Marksmen, an association of marksmen's clubs from the former Altkreis Büren (now part of the Paderborn district). The venue changes every few years — in 2026, it will be Salzkotten, hosting the Kreisschützenfest for the fourth time after 1963, 1974, and 1996.

67th Edition 2026 — "Unita Durant – United Endures"

The motto "Unita Durant – United Endures" is both a historical motto of Salzkotten and the festival motto for 2026. It reflects the unity of the marksmen's clubs in the former Büren district and the citizens of Salzkotten. The association of clubs has been organizing the festival for decades in various locations — a form of self-affirmation for marksmen that is unique in its scale in North Rhine-Westphalia.

District King and Queen and Festival Participants

The District King for 2026 is David Käuper, and the District Queen is Sabrina Bohr. They will represent the Büren District Association of Marksmen throughout the festival year and especially during the four festival days in Salzkotten. The festival committee coordinates a variety of working groups — from logistics and security to marketing — with volunteer commitment from the Salzkotten community.

Schedule 4–7 September 2026

The 4-day program:

• Friday, 4.9. — Festival opening, grand opening ceremony, festival evening
• Saturday, 5.9. — Grand festival evening, amusement rides, and market stalls
• Sunday, 6.9. — Festival high mass, grand parade of all clubs through Salzkotten, crowning highlight
• Monday, 7.9. — Morning pint, closing program, festival conclusion

Salzkotten and the Paderborn Bishopric

Salzkotten is a medium-sized town in the Paderborn district with about 25,000 inhabitants and a history dating back to the Middle Ages — Salzkotten owes its name to the historical salt pans, which brought prosperity and town privileges (1247) in the Middle Ages. Today, Salzkotten is a typical central town in the Paderborn Bishopric with an active club life. The fourth hosting of the Kreisschützenfest is an honor — and mobilizes the entire town for a long year of preparation.