Schützenfest Buke

Tradition in Buke

The Schützenfest in Buke is one of the three annual Schützenfeste in the municipality of Altenbeken. Alongside the districts of Altenbeken and Schwaney, Buke forms the third pillar of shooting tradition in the Eggegebirge. The date for 2026 is the second weekend in June, from Saturday, June 13th, to Monday, June 15th.

Schützenplatz and Festival Tent

The venue is Buke's own Schützenplatz. A festival tent hosts the main program, complemented by fairground attractions, catering stands, and a makeshift stage. The festival follows the classic Sauerland-East Westphalian choreography: a parade on Saturday, the 'Vogelschuss' and proclamation of the king, and on Sunday, a festive high mass and a grand parade through the village.

Buke and Altenbeken

Buke is a district of the municipality of Altenbeken in the Paderborn district, on the eastern edge of the Eggegebirge, with just under 500 inhabitants. Beyond Buke, Altenbeken is primarily known for its monumental railway viaduct with its 24 arches – one of the largest limestone viaducts in Europe. The Schützenfest, on the other hand, is a deeply local festival, supported by the village's community associations.

Three Shooting Clubs in One Municipality

Altenbeken has three independent shooting clubs as a municipality – one for each district. This unusual density of clubs ensures that practically every weekend in the summer, a Schützenfest takes place somewhere. The Buke shooting club independently organizes the program, the king's shooting, and the parade.

Eggegebirge as a Backdrop

The Eggegebirge forms the eastern extension of the Teutoburg Forest and is now primarily a hiking region. Visitors to the Schützenfest can combine their stay with hikes in the Eggegebirge Nature Park or a visit to the viaduct.