Schützenfest Düsseldorf-Wittlaer (St. Sebastianus Brotherhood 1431)

A Brotherhood Since 1431

The St. Sebastianus Brotherhood Wittlaer 1431 e.V. is among the oldest and most venerable shooting brotherhoods in Germany — founded in 1431, making it almost six centuries old. It embodies an unbroken Rhenish tradition that shapes customs and traditions in the north of Düsseldorf to this day. The brotherhood is based at the shooting range Fritz-Köhler-Weg 14a in Wittlaer.

The 2026 Schützenfest — June 4th to 7th

The annual Schützenfest is the highlight of the brotherhood's year. The date for 2026 is: Thursday, June 4th to Sunday, June 7th, 2026 — officially confirmed via the Schützenfest calendar of the Interessengemeinschaft Düsseldorfer Schützen (IGDS).

Motto 2026: 'Shaping Tomorrow Together'

For the 2026 Schützen year, the brotherhood has adopted the motto 'Shaping Tomorrow Together' — a commitment to tradition, but also to responsibility for the next generation. The motto influences speeches, posters, and the brotherhood's public image.

King Couple and Dignitaries 2025/26

The current Schützen King Couple and their court:

• King: David Kierstein
• Adjutant: Wolfgang Kierstein
• Crown Prince: Niclas Busch
• Princess: Marie Meretz
• Pupil Prince: Malte Reussreuther

The coronation of the new King Couple 2026/27 will take place during the festival after the king's shooting.

Program of a Classic Schützenfest

As with most Rhenish Schützenfests, the festival is divided into four days:

• Thursday, June 4th: Corpus Christi — solemn opening and arrival of the brotherhood
• Friday, June 5th: King bird shooting, followed by a dance evening in the festival tent
• Saturday, June 6th: Coronation ball with the new King Couple, large dance band
• Sunday, June 7th: Traditional parade through Wittlaer with marching bands, shooting companies, floats, and guest clubs — followed by the festival finale

Wittlaer in Northern Düsseldorf

Wittlaer is an upscale, rural district in Düsseldorf District 5 (northeast of the city center, on the Rhine). With around 3,200 inhabitants, it is small but has a strong identity — the brotherhood shapes social life, and many families have been members for generations. The combination of old tradition and upscale living makes the Schützenfest a particularly refined event in the Rhenish Schützen calendar.