Schützenfest Alte Bürgerschützengilde Recklinghausen 1387

One of Germany's oldest shooting guilds celebrates in Recklinghausen

If you want to experience pure tradition in the Vest Recklinghausen, there's no way around the Alte Bürgerschützengilde 1387 on the Whitsun weekend. The guild sees itself as "one of the oldest guilds between the Rhine and Weser" and traces its history back to the late 14th century. After the Second World War, it was re-founded in 1951 and has been an integral part of the Recklinghausen festival calendar ever since.

The Erlbruchpark as a festival ground in the middle of the city

The venue for the three-day Schützenfest 2026 is the festival tent in the Erlbruchpark, right behind the town hall. Its central location in the old town ensures that citizens and guests from all over the Recklinghausen district can easily travel between the city center, the market square, and the festival grounds. Shooting takes place throughout the year at the Mollbeck shooting range in the north of Recklinghausen – but the bird shooting itself takes place centrally at the festival tent.

A Royal Year 2026 – the guild is looking for a new royal couple

2026 is a special year for the Recklinghausen guilds: three brotherhoods are looking for a new royal household, including the Alte Bürgerschützengilde. After three years, the reigning royal couple Horst I. Kluge will step down. Whoever knocks the bird off the pole on Whitsun Saturday will rule the guild for the next three years and shape guild life in parades, assemblies, and representative appointments throughout the Ruhr area.

Program and schedule over three days

The Schützenfest begins on the eve of Whitsun Saturday with the Großer Zapfenstreich at 7:30 PM, a military-ceremonial opening with marching music, torches, and salute volleys. Afterwards, the evening is celebrated with a party in the festival tent with a DJ – admission is free. Whitsun Sunday is dedicated to the bird shooting starting at 11 AM. In the evening at 6:30 PM, a sophisticated reception is held in the festival tent (admission €8 incl. drink voucher). Finally, on Whitsun Monday, the coronation parade through the old town takes place at 4 PM, followed by the closing ball and coronation ceremony of the new royal household.

What makes the guild so special

What distinguishes the ABSG from other shooting clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia is its direct connection to the historical citizenry of Recklinghausen. The guild was originally a self-defense community of the city's citizens – a function that today translates into customs, conviviality, and club life. The board includes chairman Andreas Verstege and managing director Olaf Geidies. Guests are cordially welcome at all open program points.

Experience festival culture in the Ruhr area

Schützenfeste have a special significance in the Münsterland and northern Ruhr area. In Recklinghausen, three guilds meet to jointly maintain this tradition: besides the ABSG, these are the Bürgerschützengesellschaft Essel and the Bürgerschützengesellschaft Bruch. So, if you are in the region at Whitsun, a little Schützenfest hopping is highly recommended.