Schützenfest Eslohe

208 years of Schützen tradition in Eslohe

The St. Peter & Paul Brotherhood of Eslohe 1818 e.V. is one of the oldest shooting brotherhoods in the Sauerland. Its founding in 1818 falls into a turbulent era: Napoleon was finally defeated in 1815, the Congress of Vienna had redrawn the European map in 1814/15, and new brotherhoods were forming everywhere in the German low mountain ranges. Eslohe's brotherhood has carried 208 years of history through industrialization, world wars, and reunification.

When: June 27–29, 2026

The 2026 Schützenfest will take place from Saturday, June 27 to Monday, June 29, 2026 — over the last weekend in June. Three days of events in the classic Sauerland Schützenfest format: Saturday ceremonial speech (Festkommers), Sunday King's Mass and parade (Festzug), Monday King's Ball with bird shooting contest (Vogelschießen).

Where: Schützenhalle Eslohe

The main venue is the Schützenhalle Eslohe with the traditional festival tent and parade routes through the town center. Eslohe itself is located in the Hochsauerland district, about 12 kilometers west of Meschede and 15 kilometers northeast of Schmallenberg.

Patron Saints St. Peter and Paul

The brotherhood bears the double patronage of the two apostolic princes Peter and Paul. The patronage of Catholic churches is traditionally around June 29 — the classic date of the feast day. The Schützenfest follows this liturgical calendar and therefore takes place at the end of June, unlike many other Sauerland Schützenfeste (which typically celebrate in July/August).

Three days of the Schützen calendar

Saturday — Festkommers

Opening with the ceremonial speech (Festkommers), club shooting competition, and reception of the reigning monarchs. In the evening, a festival celebration with live music in the Schützenhalle.

Sunday — Grand Parade

King's Mass in the morning, followed by the grand parade (Festzug) through Eslohe with brotherhood members in full uniform, music bands, and the reigning shooting monarch. King's Ball in the afternoon.

Monday — Bird Shooting Contest

The most exciting day: the traditional bird shooting contest (Vogelschießen). Whoever shoots the last piece of the wooden bird from the pole becomes the new shooting king. Followed by the proclamation and coronation ball.

Schützenwesen in the Sauerland

In the Sauerland, Schützenbruderschaften are not just clubs — they are the village community. Practically every male resident of a Sauerland town is a member of the local brotherhood, often since confirmation. The Schützenfest is the emotional highlight of the year, bigger than Christmas. Anyone who wants to see what Sauerland Schützenwesen is all about should come to a Schützenfest — and the one in Eslohe is a very traditional choice.

Eslohe — the village

Eslohe is located in the southern Hochsauerland district and is the seat of the municipality of the same name (approx. 9,200 inhabitants, plus numerous districts). Eslohe is primarily known for the Eslohe Museum (Machinery and Local History Museum, former grain and water mill), the *Esselheide*, and its picturesque location between the Sauerland heights and valleys.