Schützenfest Attendorn
Traditional Sauerland marksmen's and folk festival of the Attendorn Marksmen's Society 1222 e.V.
About Schützenfest Attendorn
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Marksmen's Tradition since 1222
Few marksmen's societies in Germany can look back on such a long history as the Schützengesellschaft Attendorn 1222 e.V. The year in the association's name refers to the first documented mention of marksmen in the Hanseatic city of Attendorn — making the association one of the oldest marksmen's formations in Europe. Today, the Schützenfest is much more than just an association celebration: it is the most important folk festival in the city on Bigge Lake and an anchor of identity for the approximately 25,000 inhabitants of Attendorn and the surrounding villages in the Olpe district.
Four Days of Sauerland Folk Festival
The Schützenfest traditionally spans the first weekend of July, from Friday to Monday. It opens with the ceremonial assembly of the marksmen's companies and the Grand Tattoo on Friday evening. Saturday is dedicated to the bird shooting — whoever shoots the last piece of wood from the wooden bird becomes the new marksmen's king and reigns with his queen and court for the marksmen's year. This is followed by the King's Ball in the Stadthalle. Sunday and Monday are dominated by parades through the old town with music bands, drum corps, and the companies, supplemented by festive balls, morning pint gatherings, and church services.
Funfair at the Stadthalle Grounds
Parallel to the marksmen's festivities, the Stadthalle grounds transform into a full-fledged Sauerland funfair. Carousels, dodgems, a swing boat, a Ferris wheel, and of course, the obligatory stalls selling bratwurst, candied almonds, potato pancakes, and Schmalzkuchen attract families, young people, and seniors alike. The funfair is also open to visitors who have no connection to the marksmen's traditions — Attendorn fills up with guests from all over the Sauerland during these days.
Hanseatic City on Bigge Lake
Attendorn is located in the Olpe district on the Bigge Dam and has been an economic and cultural center of the southern Sauerland since the Middle Ages as a Hanseatic city. The historic old town with the Old Town Hall, the Sauerland Cathedral (St. Johannes Baptist), and the Atta Cave offers a full day for visitors who do not wish to experience the Schützenfest. Those coming for the Schützenfest in July should book accommodation in advance — hotels in the Bigge Lake area are typically fully booked early.
Schützenfest Attendorn — edition 2026
Four days of marksmen's tradition and folk festival in the southern Sauerland: From July 3rd to 6th, 2026, Attendorn will be in a state of celebration. The Schützengesellschaft Attendorn 1222 e.V. invites you to this year's edition of its traditional festival on the Stadthalle grounds. It opens on Friday evening with the ceremonial assembly of the companies and the Grand Tattoo. On Saturday, the new marksmen's king will be determined in the bird shooting, followed by the King's Ball in the evening. Sunday and Monday are entirely dedicated to the grand parades through the historic old town, with music bands, drum corps, and the marksmen's companies in full uniform. In parallel, the full-fledged Sauerland funfair runs on the Stadthalle grounds.
Programme Schützenfest Attendorn 2026
The detailed program overview for 2026 will be published in spring 2026 at 1222ev.de/Festprogramm.
Typical Schedule (based on previous years)
- Friday, July 3rd, 2026: Assembly of the marksmen's companies, Grand Tattoo, opening of the funfair
- Saturday, July 4th, 2026: Bird shooting for the new marksmen's king, King's Ball in the Stadthalle in the evening
- Sunday, July 5th, 2026: Festive mass in the Sauerland Cathedral, grand parade through the old town, morning pint gathering, festive ball in the evening
- Monday, July 6th, 2026: Second parade, winding down, and King's breakfast
Accompanying Program
- Funfair on the Stadthalle grounds: carousels, dodgems, Ferris wheel, Schmalzkuchen, bratwurst, candied almonds
- Music bands and drum corps accompany all parades
Highlights Schützenfest Attendorn 2026
- Marksmen's tradition since 1222 — one of the oldest in Europe
- Four days of folk festival, including Sauerland funfair
- Bird shooting for the new marksmen's king
- Two parades through the historic old town
- King's balls and festive balls in the Stadthalle
Prices Schützenfest Attendorn 2026
Funfair area on the Stadthalle grounds: free entry, individual rides between €2 and €5 per ride. Admission to King's balls and festive balls varies by event — tickets from the Schützengesellschaft Attendorn 1222 e.V. Parades can be watched for free from the roadside.
Practical information — Schützenfest Attendorn
Getting There
Attendorn is located in the Olpe district in the southern Sauerland. By car: A45 Sauerland line, exit Olpe or Drolshagen, then B54/B55 to Attendorn. By public transport: Finnentrop train station (line RB91 Dortmund–Siegen) plus bus to Attendorn. The Stadthalle grounds are centrally located, within walking distance of the old town.
Admission
Funfair area: free entry. King's balls and festive balls in the Stadthalle: admission depending on the event, usually organized by the Schützengesellschaft. The parades can be watched for free from the roadside.
Good to Know
Friday to Monday, July 3–6, 2026. The detailed program will be published in spring 2026 at 1222ev.de. Book accommodation in advance — the guesthouses around Bigge Lake are in high demand in July.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Schützenfest Attendorn al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Schützenfest Attendorn
Stadthallengelände Attendorn
Stadthallengelände, 57439 Attendorn