Schützen- und Volksfest Altenkirchen

180 Years of the Altenkirchener Schützengesellschaft

The Altenkirchener Schützengesellschaft 1845 e.V. was founded in 1845, making it one of the oldest marksmen's clubs in the Westerwald region. The club's 180th anniversary in 2026 will be celebrated in style — the Schützen- und Volksfest will have special highlights this year, with an expanded festival booklet, special program elements, honors for long-serving marksmen, and high participation from friendly clubs from the Westerwald, Siegerland, and Rhineland regions.

Four Days at the Weyerdamm Fairground

The Weyerdamm fairground — also the setup and performance venue for carnival marquees — will be fully set up for the marksmen's festival. A festival tent, shooting range area, amusement rides, and catering stands will share the space. Setup begins on July 2nd at 7:00 AM, and dismantling takes place on July 7th. Over the four festival days, the program extends from the festive opening evening on Friday through the main events on Saturday and Sunday to the closing on Monday.

Marksmen's Traditions at the Core

At the heart of the festival are the marksmen's traditions (Schützenbrauchtum) with their centuries-old rituals. The bird shooting (Vogelschießen) — determining the new marksmen's king by shooting at a suspended wooden bird — forms the competitive highlight. The coronation ceremony, with the handover of the king's chain to the new dignitary and his queen, follows solemnly. The parade (Festumzug) with marksmen in full uniform, banners, a brass band, and honored guests winds through the town center. The Großer Zapfenstreich (Grand Tattoo) at the festival tent concludes the festive evening with military tradition.

Folk Festival and Amusement Rides

Parallel to the marksmen's traditions, the folk festival (Volksfest) element shapes the fairground: amusement rides for adults and children, shooting galleries, candy and snack stalls, punch and beer stands make the festival an attraction for the whole family. The festival tent evenings with live music or DJ sets attract the younger generation to the fairground and create a good mix of tradition and festival culture.

Altenkirchen — District Capital in the Westerwald

Altenkirchen is the district capital of the Altenkirchen district and an important administrative and commercial center in northern Rhineland-Palatinate. The marksmen's festival strengthens the town's central function for the surrounding administrative districts and attracts visitors from the entire Westerwald, Siegerland, and the Cologne-Bonn region.