Schützen- und Heimatfest Fischeln — Fischelner Sommerzauber

Bürger-Schützen-Gesellschaft 1451 Fischeln — almost six centuries

The Bürger-Schützen-Gesellschaft 1451 Fischeln e.V. is one of the oldest marksmen's associations in Germany — founded in 1451, over 570 years ago. Krefeld-Fischeln is a southern district of Krefeld (North Rhine-Westphalia, independent city) with around 18,000 inhabitants, historically an independent village on the Lower Rhine, incorporated into the city of Krefeld in 1929. The village identity has been preserved — and the Schützen-Gesellschaft is one of the main carriers of this identity.

Biennial rhythm — Schützenfest and Königsvogelschießen

The event logic in Fischeln is clearly regulated: in even-numbered years, the grand Schützen- und Heimatfest with a festival tent, king's procession, and family program is celebrated; in odd-numbered years, the Königsvogelschießen takes place — the ceremony where the new monarch is determined by shooting at the wooden bird on the bird pole. 2026, as an even-numbered year, is therefore a Schützenfest year.

Marienplatz and Mariensäule — the festival topography

The venue for the Schützen- und Heimatfest is the Marienplatz in Krefeld-Fischeln — the village's main square, dominated by the historic Mariensäule. The festival tent is set up on the Marienplatz; the Mariensäule remains the central point of reference — religious tradition and folk festival meet directly. Around the Mariensäule, the "Fischelner Sommerzauber" is created — the gastronomic supporting program with standing tables, beer service, and small snack stalls.

Fischelner Sommerzauber — the gastronomic format

The Fischelner Sommerzauber is an independent format that runs parallel to the Schützenfest. It complements the official festival program with casual, freely accessible gastronomy and live music — a kind of "open-air beer garden" around the Mariensäule. This makes the festival attractive to non-marksmen and strollers as well: you don't have to go into the festival tent to participate.

Live music in the festival tent

As with any Rhenish Schützenfest, live music in the festival tent plays a central role — from brass music and party bands on Friday to dance bands and cover acts on Saturday evening. The specific acts are hired anew each year and announced shortly before the festival date.

Location and travel

Krefeld-Fischeln is located in the south of Krefeld, directly on the A 44 exit Krefeld-Fischeln. By public transport: Tram line 042 or bus line 056 from Krefeld Hbf. Krefeld can be reached by regional train from Düsseldorf (RE 13, RE 42) in about 25-30 minutes. Parking in the residential streets around the Marienplatz.