Schützenfest Düsseldorf-Benrath

Schützenfest in Düsseldorf's South

While the large Düsseldorfer Schützen- und Heimatfest attracts hundreds of thousands annually to the Oberkassel Rhine meadows, the district Schützenfeste are the backbone of Rhenish shooting tradition. The Schützenfest Düsseldorf-Benrath is one of the most important — supported by the St. Cäcilia Schützenbruderschaft Düsseldorf-Benrath e.V., a traditional brotherhood with ties to the St. Cäcilien parish.

When: July 3rd to 7th, 2026

The main festival runs from Friday, July 3rd, to Tuesday, July 7th, 2026. It is embedded in a dense preliminary program:

• Saturday, May 30th, 2026: District crowning of the Düsseldorf district associations
• Saturday, June 6th, 2026: King's bird shooting of the Hubertus-Kompanie
• Saturday, June 27th, 2026: Goldene Mösch — Generalappell with King's and Prince's bird shooting
• July 3rd–7th, 2026: Main festival with parade, King's Ball, and bird shooting

Where: District 9 — Benrath

Benrath is one of Düsseldorf's most beautiful districts. The pink Baroque palace from the 18th century, the extensive palace park with its Mirror Pond, and the old village center around St. Cäcilien Church characterize the area. In the south, Benrath borders Hassels and Reisholz, and in the north, Wersten — a district that combines a tradition-conscious civic community, upscale living, and Baroque elegance. The Schützenfest takes place annually within this setting — on the festival grounds in the district.

District Crowning on May 30th

Before the actual Schützenfest, the district crownings are on the program. In the Düsseldorf district association, the Schützenkönige of the individual clubs are officially installed in their office. The Benrath brotherhood is represented here and subsequently celebrates further crowning balls in the surrounding districts — for example, in Hilden on June 15th, in Wersten on June 16th, in Himmelgeist on August 25th, and in Holthausen on September 6th.

Goldene Mösch — Kick-off on June 27th

The Goldene Mösch is the traditional start of the festival season. "Mösch" is a Rhenish diminutive for sparrow and, in Düsseldorf dialect, a term of endearment for the marksmen. On June 27th, 2026, the entire brotherhood gathers for the Generalappell, followed by the King's and Prince's bird shooting. Whoever shoots down the bird becomes the new King or Prince for the festival year — the crowning then takes place during the main festival.

Main Festival July 3rd–7th, 2026

From July 3rd to 7th, the Benrath festival grounds transform into the heart of the district. The program includes the festive reception of the club flags, the main crowning of the new King, the grand parade through Benrath with marksmen in uniform, music bands, and decorated floats, the King's Ball, and a morning pint (Frühschoppen). The festival is accompanied by a festival tent with live music and culinary offerings.

King's Bird Shooting of the Gesellschaft Reserve

A special feature of the Benrath brotherhood: the season continues even after the main festival. On September 19th, 2026, the Gesellschaft Reserve will host its own King's bird shooting — a final highlight of the shooting year.

Benrath — Düsseldorf's Baroque Jewel

Those who experience the Schützenfest in Benrath can ideally combine their visit with a stroll through the Benrath Palace Park. The palace itself houses the Museum of European Garden Art and the Natural History Museum. A spectacular sightline leads from the pink Baroque ensemble across the Mirror Pond deep into the park. After the parade lap, the park invites you to relax — a combination of tradition and Baroque elegance that makes Benrath unique.