Schützenfest Boppard (Corpus Christi)
Traditional shooting festival of the Boppard Marksmen's Society since 1510 on Corpus Christi
About Schützenfest Boppard
The Schützenfest Boppard has been organised for over 500 years by the Bopparder Schützengesellschaft, which dates its founding back to 1510, making it one of the oldest still active marksmen's societies on the Middle Rhine. Corpus Christi Day has always been the traditional festival day.
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, the shooting festival begins with a festive church service at 8:30 a.m., followed by a morning pint (Frühschoppen) at 11 a.m. at the Hotel Ebertor. At 2 p.m., the grand parade sets off through Boppard's town centre; afterwards, shooting takes place on the marksmen's grounds in Schlaningtal. The event concludes with the evening parade and the proclamation of the king.
The Schützenfest Boppard is one of the most traditional events on the Middle Rhine. The Bopparder Schützengesellschaft, whose documented founding dates back to 1510, is one of the oldest still active marksmen's societies in the region and looks back on over 500 years of history. Its roots reach back to the era of the fortified citizen town of Boppard, where the marksmen made an important contribution to its defence.
Today, the marksmen's society cultivates its tradition as a sporting and social club, whose annual highlight is the shooting festival on Corpus Christi. The date is symbolic: Corpus Christi, the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, is a high holiday in the predominantly Catholic Middle Rhine region, traditionally celebrated with large processions. The shooting festival seamlessly connects with this religious tradition.
The festival day in 2026 begins at 8:30 a.m. with the festive service and church procession. The marksmen, in their historical uniforms, march in formation to the church and participate in the service. Afterwards, at 11 a.m., the traditional Frühschoppen (morning pint) takes place at the Hotel Ebertor – one of the town's historic buildings – where marksmen, dignitaries, and guests gather in a relaxed atmosphere.
The grand parade at 2 p.m. is the main public event of the festival. Accompanied by music bands, fellow marksmen's clubs, and flag bearers, the Boppard Marksmen's Society marches through the historic town centre of the World Heritage City. The parade route passes the St. Severus Church, Marktstraße, and the half-timbered houses of the old town.
Afterwards, the festival moves to the Schützengelände im Schlaningtal (marksmen's grounds in Schlaningtal), where the sporting competitions take place – the classic king's shoot, where the title of marksmen's king for the coming year is contested. The evening is dedicated to the evening parade with the proclamation of the king: the new marksmen's king is presented and celebrated with great ceremony. Festival music, dancing, and a communal meal round off the shooting festival.
Schützenfest Boppard — edition 2026
On Corpus Christi Day, June 4, 2026, the Boppard Marksmen's Society celebrates its traditional shooting festival, which has been held for over 500 years in the World Heritage City on the Middle Rhine. The day begins with a church service and festive mass at 8:30 a.m., followed by the morning pint at the Hotel Ebertor at 11 a.m. At 2 p.m., the grand parade sets off through Boppard's town centre. In the afternoon, the king's shoot takes place on the marksmen's grounds in Schlaningtal. The day concludes with the festive evening parade and the proclamation of the new marksmen's king.
The 2026 edition of the shooting festival continues the unbroken tradition of the Boppard Marksmen's Society since 1510. In historical uniforms, the marksmen march through the World Heritage City and celebrate their Corpus Christi Day in a dignified and festive atmosphere.
The grand parade through the medieval old town is the public highlight of the day, attended by thousands of onlookers. The subsequent king's shoot and the evening proclamation of the new king are among the emotional highlights of the club's calendar.
Programme Schützenfest Boppard 2026
The exact programme for 2026 will be published by the organiser in spring/summer. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years:
- 8:30 a.m.: Festive service and church procession in historical marksmen's uniform.
- 11:00 a.m.: Traditional morning pint (Frühschoppen) at the Hotel Ebertor.
- 2:00 p.m.: Grand parade through Boppard's town centre with music bands and fellow marksmen's clubs.
- Afternoon: King's shoot at the marksmen's grounds in Schlaningtal.
- Evening: Evening parade with the festive proclamation of the new Boppard Marksmen's King, festival evening with music and dancing.
Highlights Schützenfest Boppard 2026
Highlights 2026: over 500 years of tradition of the Boppard Marksmen's Society, festive church procession in historical uniforms, grand parade through the World Heritage City, king's shoot in Schlaningtal and evening parade with proclamation of the king on Corpus Christi Day.
Prices Schützenfest Boppard 2026
The parade and public events are free to attend. Food and drinks are offered at usual prices.
Practical information — Schützenfest Boppard
Date 2026: Thursday, June 4, 2026 (Corpus Christi).
Programme: Church service 8:30 a.m., morning pint 11 a.m. (Hotel Ebertor), grand parade 2 p.m. (town centre), shooting competition marksmen's grounds Schlaningtal, evening parade with proclamation of the king.
Admission: Public, parade and festival programme essentially free. Food and drinks are chargeable.
Getting there: Boppard is accessible by train (left Rhine line, long-distance stop) and via the B9 federal road and the A61 motorway.
Organiser: Bopparder Schützengesellschaft (founded 1510), bopparder-schuetzengesellschaft.de.
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