Schützenfest in Entrup (Altenberge)

Shooting Traditions in Münsterland

The Schützenfest in Entrup is a traditional village shooting festival, organized by the Entruper Schützenverein (Entrup Shooting Association). It takes place annually on the third weekend in June — in 2026, this means from Friday, June 19th to Sunday, June 21st. The venue is the Schützenplatz Entrup, Entrup 51, located between the roundabout and the train station of Altenberge in the southern Münsterland region.

Program Highlights

• Friday: Festival kickoff with welcome and evening of entertainment in the festival tent
• Saturday — King's Shoot:
  • The traditional bird shooting at the bird pole — the heart of every Schützenfest in Münsterland
  • Coronation of the new King / Queen
  • Followed by the King proclamation and a festive ball
• Sunday — Festival Day:
  • Morning pint in the morning
  • Evening ball in honor of the new royal couple
  • Reception of guest clubs from Altenberge

Throughout the festival, catering, live music, and a varied entertainment program ensure a great atmosphere.

Altenberge — on the Edge of Münsterland

Altenberge is a municipality with just under 11,000 inhabitants in the Steinfurt district, northwest of Münster. Characterized by the Münsterland landscape with forests, heathlands, and small farmsteads, Entrup is one of these farmsteads within the municipality. Shooting traditions are a particularly dense custom in Münsterland — almost every farmstead has its own association. The Entrup festival stands in this tradition and is an anchor of village life.

What is Bird Shooting?

Bird shooting is the classic form of the king's shoot in Münsterland and Westphalia: Shooters fire air rifles or crossbows at a wooden bird mounted on a tall bird pole. Whoever shoots down the last splinter becomes King. It is a ritualized act, as sporty and exciting as it is traditional and symbolic.