Schützenfest Düsseldorf-Oberkassel

Marksmanship Tradition in the State Capital

Düsseldorf is not only a city of Carnival but also of marksmen's clubs (Schützenwesen). Several districts maintain their own marksmen's traditions, from the Heimatschuetzenverein Düsseldorfer Jonges to the large district clubs in Niederkassel, Oberkassel, and Lörick. The Schützenfest of the St. Sebastianus Schützenverein Oberkassel 1873 is one of the oldest and best-located – right on the Rhine meadow, between the Oberkassel Bridge and the Rheinknie Bridge.

When and Where is the Festival Held?

The 2026 Schützenfest runs from Thursday, May 14th to Sunday, May 17th, 2026, on the Oberkassel Rhine meadow in Düsseldorf's Oberkassel district. Setup takes place the week before, with the Rhine meadow being used extensively for the event.

Four Days of Marksmen and Folk Festival

The program follows the classic Rhine Schützenfest schedule, mixed with modern folk festival elements:

• Thursday – Opening, keg tapping ceremony, camaraderie evening
• Friday – Seniors' Afternoon with coffee and cake, followed by the grand bird shooting and king's competition in the evening
• Saturday – Children's Afternoon with surprises and reduced ride prices, followed by DJ parties on the festival grounds in the evening
• Sunday – Parade, King's Coronation with a subsequent King's Ball

The Grand Wine Area

A special feature of the Oberkassel Schützenfest is the extra-large wine area: white festival tents, wooden tables and benches, wine service from various regional vintners – and across the Rhine meadow, a view of Düsseldorf's Old Town with the Castle Tower and Rhine promenade. This makes the festival particularly popular with an audience beyond the traditional marksmen's clientele.

St. Sebastianus Schützenverein Oberkassel 1873

The organizer is the St. Sebastianus Schützenverein Oberkassel 1873 e.V., one of Düsseldorf's oldest marksmen's clubs. The association preserves the traditional marksmen's customs with a king couple, major, adjutant, and guard, but has opened up considerably to families, district residents, and visitors to Düsseldorf. Beyond the Schützenfest, the club manages the marksmen's clubhouse and participates in supra-regional marksmen's gatherings.

Oberkassel – Düsseldorf's Elegant Left Bank District

Oberkassel is arguably Düsseldorf's most famous district on the left bank of the Rhine: Wilhelminian-era townhouses, Belsenplatz with its weekly market, Luegallee with boutiques and cafés. In summer, the Oberkassel Rhine meadow is a meeting point for Düsseldorf's residents – during the Schützenfest, it transforms for four days into a festival ground with carousels, shooting stalls, a festival tent, and a wine area.