Schützenfest Bürgerschützengilde Olfen
Four days of Schützenfest by the citizens' shooting guild, established in 1682 — completely new concept on a redesigned festival grounds in 2026
About Schützenfest Olfen
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Bürgerschützengilde Olfen — Active Since 1682
The Bürgerschützengilde Olfen 1682 e.V. is one of the oldest shooting fraternities in the southern Münsterland region. With over 340 years of history, it celebrates its annual Schützenfest as its most important club event. In 2026, the festival runs for four days from Friday, June 12th to Monday, June 15th. A special feature in 2026: the Bürgerschützengilde is launching with a completely new concept on redesigned festival grounds — a historic break from decades of the event's format.
2026 Program — New Conception
The four festival days follow a revised program structure that combines traditional shooting fraternity customs with modern elements:
Friday, June 12th, 2026 — Kick-off
- From 6:00 PM — Gathering at the market square
- Bird Presentation — symbolic start to the bird shooting
- Grand Tattoo (Großer Zapfenstreich) — ceremonial military tradition honoring the king couple
Saturday, June 13th, 2026 — Bird Shooting
- From 3:00 PM — Bird shooting to determine the new king couple
- Proclamation of the new king couple
- Evening: Festival tent program and dance music
Sunday, June 14th, 2026 — Festival Parade
- Festival high mass in the parish church
- Grand festival parade with the new king couple, throne retinue, and friendly fraternities through Olfen
- Evening: Festival tent
Monday, June 15th, 2026 — Wood Auction and Closing
- From 11:00 AM — traditional wood auction (an Olfen shooting tradition that has accompanied the fraternity for centuries)
- Morning pint and winding down of the Schützenfest weekend
Redesigned Festival Grounds
In 2026, the Schützenfest will be held on redesigned festival grounds — a consequence of the revised concept. The new layout aims to enhance the festival atmosphere, create more space for individual program items, and optimize visitor flow. Details about the exact location will be published by the club in May 2026.
Olfen — Small Town in Southern Münsterland
Olfen is a town of around 13,000 inhabitants in the Coesfeld district (North Rhine-Westphalia), located in the southern Münsterland region at the transition to the Ruhr area. With its historic town center, the Stever floodplain, and several nature reserves, Olfen combines rural tranquility with good accessibility. The Bürgerschützengilde 1682 is one of the central club institutions of the town, and the Schützenfest is one of the most important local festivals of the year.
Schützenfest Olfen — edition 2026
2026 Program — Four Days of Schützenfest in a New Format
The 2026 Schützenfest marks a new beginning for the Bürgerschützengilde Olfen: a completely new festival concept on redesigned grounds. The program elements remain anchored in tradition but are newly staged:
Friday, June 12th, 2026 — Kick-off at the Market Square
- From 6:00 PM — Gathering at the market square
- Bird presentation
- Grand Tattoo (Großer Zapfenstreich)
Saturday, June 13th, 2026 — Bird Shooting
- From 3:00 PM — Bird shooting to determine the new king couple 2026/2027
- Proclamation
- Evening festival tent event
Sunday, June 14th, 2026 — Festival Parade
- Festival high mass
- Grand festival parade with the new king couple
- Evening: Festival tent
Monday, June 15th, 2026 — Wood Auction
- From 11:00 AM — Traditional wood auction (Olfen shooting specialty)
- Morning pint and closing
Programme Schützenfest Olfen 2026
Friday, June 12th, 2026 — Kick-off
- From 6:00 PM — Gathering at the market square
- Bird Presentation
- Grand Tattoo (Großer Zapfenstreich)
Saturday, June 13th, 2026 — Bird Shooting
- From 3:00 PM — Bird shooting — new king couple
- Proclamation and evening festival tent program
Sunday, June 14th, 2026 — Festival Parade Day
- Festival high mass in the parish church
- Grand festival parade with king couple, throne retinue, and friendly fraternities
- Festival tent program in the afternoon and evening
Monday, June 15th, 2026 — Wood Auction
- 11:00 AM — Traditional Olfen Wood Auction
- Morning pint and winding down of the Schützenfest weekend
2026 — New Concept
The 2026 Schützenfest will take place on completely redesigned festival grounds with a revised program concept. Full details at buergerschuetzengilde-olfen.de.
Highlights Schützenfest Olfen 2026
- Bird shooting with king couple proclamation on Saturday
- Grand Tattoo (Großer Zapfenstreich) on Friday evening
- Traditional wood auction on Monday (Olfen specialty)
- 2026: Completely new concept and festival grounds
Prices Schützenfest Olfen 2026
Festival parade, bird presentation, and bird shooting are freely accessible. Admission to the festival tent in the evening is subject to a fee (usual Schützenfest prices €8–€15). Food and drinks at club prices.
Practical information — Schützenfest Olfen
Getting There
Olfen is located in the Coesfeld district, accessible via the A43 (Olfen exit) and the B235 federal road. Bus lines run from Lünen, Selm, and Lüdinghausen. Parking facilities at the festival grounds will be designated by the club.
Admission
Festival parade, bird presentation, and Grand Tattoo are freely accessible. Bird shooting is free to watch. Admission to the festival tent in the evening and to the King's Ball is subject to a fee. Food and drinks are available at club prices.
Tip
The wood auction on Monday morning is an Olfen specialty, rarely experienced in this form elsewhere in Germany. Those who want to understand the Schützenfest as a cultural experience should plan for Monday — not just the dance evenings on the weekend.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Schützenfest Olfen al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Schützenfest Olfen
Marktplatz und neu gestaltetes Festgelände Olfen
Marie-Curie-Straße 28 / Marktplatz Olfen, 59399 Olfen