Schützenfest Barntrup

Four Days of Festivities in the Shadow of Barntrup Castle

The Schützenfest Barntrup is one of the most traditional festivals in the southeastern Lippe district. Organized by the Barntrup Marksmen's Club, the festival in 2026 will run for four days – Wednesday to Saturday. The venue is the historic Schloßplatz in front of Barntrup Water Castle, a Weser Renaissance complex from the 16th century, as well as the adjacent festival tent.

Date 2026: August 26–29

The 2026 edition runs from Wednesday, August 26, to Saturday, August 29, 2026. The program is structured in the classic Westphalian-Lippian style:

Wednesday, August 26 – Zapfenstreich

• 11:00 AM: Zapfenstreich (tattoo) at the Schloßplatz – formal opening with marksmen's companies
• From noon: Opening of the festival grounds with food stalls, funfair setup
• Evening: First festival tent program

Thursday, August 27 – King's Proclamation

• 8:00 PM: King's Proclamation under the festival tent – presentation of the new King (crowned in the preceding weeks) and the royal court
• Followed by a grand King's Ball with live music

Friday, August 28 – Grand Parade

• 2:00 PM: Grand Parade through Barntrup's town center with floats, marksmen's club companies, and guest clubs from Lipperland and Weserbergland
• Followed by the festival grounds with funfair and festival tent
• Evening stage program with live band

Saturday, August 29 – Children's Funfair and Dance Evening

• 2:00 PM: Children's Funfair with reduced prices, games, and children's shooting competition
• 7:00 PM: Dance Event to conclude the festival
• End around midnight

The Barntrup Marksmen's Club

The Barntrup Marksmen's Club cultivates the marksmen's tradition throughout the year with king's shoots, bird shoots, and club championships. The Schützenfest is the highlight of the club's year – with almost all members in uniform and families as guests.

Barntrup Castle – The Festival Backdrop

Barntrup Castle is a 16th-century moated castle in the Renaissance style. Built between 1584 and 1610, it is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Lippian Renaissance architecture. The Schloßplatz in front of it is the festival center during the Schützenfest – with a view of the historic facade.

Barntrup – Small Town in Southern Lipperland

Barntrup has around 8,800 inhabitants and is located in the southeastern Lippe district, at the transition to the Weserbergland. Characterized by agriculture, small craft businesses, and the historic castle complex, the town is considered rural and quiet – with the Schützenfest as the annual highlight. Those who want to experience Lipperland in its most authentic form will find it at the Barntrup Schützenfest.