Schützenfest Bad Wünnenberg

Marksmen's tradition since 1694 in the Hochstift Paderborn

In Bad Wünnenberg, East Westphalia, in the southeastern district of Paderborn, the marksmen's tradition has been unbroken since the late 17th century. From Saturday, June 27th, to Monday, June 29th, 2026, the Bad Wünnenberg Marksmen's Association 1694 e.V. will celebrate its annual Schützenfest (marksmen's festival) — over 330 years of continuous club history.

Three days of festivities at the Schützenhalle

The venue is the Schützenhalle Bad Wünnenberg, the traditional club house and festival building. For three days, Saturday to Monday, the classic Westphalian marksmen's festival program will take place: bird shooting to determine the new king and queen, a parade through the spa town with a marching band and companies, and a festival tent program with live music and dancing.

Bad Wünnenberg — Spa town in the Hochstift

With just under 12,000 inhabitants, Bad Wünnenberg is a state-recognized Kneipp and spa town located at the transition between the East Westphalian lowlands and the southern Egge foothills. The historic market square, the parish church of St. Maria Magdalena, and the spa infrastructure characterize the town, making it a peaceful, atmospheric setting. The Schützenfest is one of the social highlights of the year, in which the entire town is actively involved — club members, their families, residents, and guests from the region.

A marksmen's association with 330 years of tradition

The founding of the marksmen's association in 1694 dates back to a time when the Hochstift Paderborn, as a spiritual and secular principality, was still part of the Holy Roman Empire. Over the centuries, the association has survived political changes — Prussian annexation, both World Wars, post-war reconstruction — and is today one of the oldest continuously existing marksmen's associations in East Westphalia. The club life, with its companies and their participation in the Schützenfest, harvest festivals, and town celebrations, shapes the social structure of Bad Wünnenberg to this day.

Parade and folk festival tradition

The parade is the highlight of the weekend: the association's companies, the marching band, the royal court, and the reigning king and queen march through the spa town. The festival tent at the Schützenhalle will be open continuously from Friday evening to Monday night — featuring popular music, live bands, and a morning pint with traditional East Westphalian cuisine (bratwurst, meatballs, Pilsner directly from the region).