Schützenfest Düsseldorf-Flingern (St. Rochus und St. Sebastianus 1868)

Schützenfest Flingern — 158 Years of Tradition

The Schützenfest Düsseldorf-Flingern is one of the most traditional Schützenfeste in the state capital. From June 27 to 30, 2026, the St. Rochus- und St. Sebastianus-Schützenverein Düsseldorf-Flingern e.V. — founded in 1868 — will host this year's event on Flinger Richtweg. Four days of festivities with king's shooting, parades, high mass, and coronation ball in the heart of Flingern, today Düsseldorf's artists' and creative district.

St. Rochus and St. Sebastianus — The Patron Saints

The association upholds the Catholic-influenced Rhenish shooting tradition. St. Rochus (against the plague) and St. Sebastianus (patron saint of marksmen) are the two patron saints to whom the association is dedicated. Since 1868 — almost 160 years ago — the association has maintained the shooting tradition in Flingern, in the heart of a city where Rhenish marksmen's traditions are as deeply rooted as the Karneval festivities.

Flingern — From Working-Class District to Creative Quarter

The district of Flingern is located east of Düsseldorf's city center and is divided into Flingern-Nord and Flingern-Süd — city districts 2 and 3, respectively. Once a classic working-class quarter with factory settlements and industry, Flingern has developed into a creative district in the 2000s: galleries, studios, cafés, and the famous Birkenstraße as a street art destination characterize the area. The Schützenverein is one of the few traditional institutions that have weathered this transformation unbroken.

Four Days of Schützenfest on Flinger Richtweg

The Flinger Richtweg — one of the district's central arteries — will become the festival grounds. The program follows the Rhenish Schützenfest logic:

• Saturday, June 27 — Festival opening, assembly at the festival tent
• Sunday, June 28 — High mass, morning pint (Frühschoppen), grand parade
• Monday, June 29 — King's bird shooting, coronation
• Tuesday, June 30 — Coronation ball and festival conclusion

Street Festival 2026 Cancelled — Schützenfest Proceeds

The traditionally accompanying street festival with outdoor catering on Birkenstraße is cancelled for 2026 due to construction work. However, the Schützenfest itself — festival tent, king's shooting, parade — will take place as planned, according to the Interessengemeinschaft Düsseldorfer Schützenvereine (IGDS).

Düsseldorf — City of Marksmen

With over 650,000 inhabitants, Düsseldorf (capital of North Rhine-Westphalia) is a metropolis with an unbroken, vibrant marksmen's culture. The city itself is home to over twenty Schützenvereine, each upholding traditional club life in their respective districts. The Flingern Schützenfest is part of this diverse landscape.