Oerlinghausen Marksmen's Festival

Marksmen's Festival in Oerlinghausen — Over 430 Years of Tradition

From July 4th to 6th, 2026, the Oerlinghausen Marksmen's Society of 1590 e.V. (OSG 1590) will celebrate its annual marksmen's festival at the traditional Schützenplatz am Steinbült 13A. The OSG is one of the oldest marksmen's societies in Ostwestfalen-Lippe — founded in 1590, making it over 430 years old. Three days of festivities from Friday to Sunday with king's shooting, a parade, dancing in the festival tent, and the traditional Sunday morning 'Frühschoppen' (morning pint).

OSG 1590 — The Marksmen of the Tönsberg Town

Oerlinghausen is located at the Tönsberg in the Teutoburg Forest, in the Lippe district. This small town of around 18,000 inhabitants is home to the OSG 1590 — a marksmen's fraternity whose roots reach back to the late 16th century. The town's citizens joined together for defense back then; over the centuries, the military purpose evolved into a social and cultural association, whose marksmen's festival is now the largest folk festival in Oerlinghausen.

Three Days of Program

The traditional marksmen's festival follows a set schedule:

• Friday — Festive opening at the shooting grounds, entry of the marksmen, welcome by the board, followed by a party in the festival tent
• Saturday — King's Shooting: All marksmen assemble, and the best marksman or markswoman becomes the new King or Queen. In the evening, a grand coronation ball in the festival tent
• Sunday — Parade through Oerlinghausen with the guard, brass band, and all marksmen members. Afterwards, 'Frühschoppen' and family day at the shooting grounds

King's Shooting — Highlight on Saturday

The King's Shooting is the central tradition of the marksmen's festival. Marksmen members gather on Saturday and attempt to shoot the last splinters off the traditional wooden bird with precise shots. Whoever makes the decisive shot becomes the new King — and thus the official representative of the society for all festive occasions for a year. The coronation ball on Saturday evening is the social highlight of the festival weekend.

Sunday Parade

On Sunday, the entire marksmen's community marches through Oerlinghausen. The marksmen's guard with drums and pipes, the brass band, the new majesties, and all members march through the city center. Hundreds of onlookers accompany the parade. Afterwards, the society returns to the Steinbült shooting grounds — where the family day begins with 'Frühschoppen', games for children, and a small market.

Oerlinghausen — Town on the Tönsberg

Anyone visiting the marksmen's festival should also explore the Town on the Tönsberg. The Oerlinghausen Archaeological Open-Air Museum reconstructs Germanic settlements from the Stone Age to the Viking Age — a break from the marksmen's festival that families love. From the Tönsberg slope, there is a magnificent view over the Lipperland. Those arriving by bike can combine the marksmen's festival with a short Teutoburg Forest tour.