Schützenfest Hardterbroich

Hardterbroich — Mönchengladbach's Eastern District

Hardterbroich is a district in the east of Mönchengladbach (Nord district), on the border with Hardt and Dahl. With around 7,000 inhabitants, it is a classic Mönchengladbach district with a village heritage — and a strong brotherhood tradition. The St. Apollinaris Brotherhood Mönchengladbach-Hardterbroich was founded in 1857 and is one of the oldest marksmen's associations in the district.

When: First Week of June 2026

The 2026 Schützenfest will take place in the first week of June — with a five-day duration from Wednesday or Thursday to Sunday or Monday. The exact dates are confirmed annually by the brotherhood in spring; according to the festival calendar, usually from June 5th to 8th, 2026 (Friday to Monday). Visitors should consult the club's website shortly beforehand — the exact daily schedule will be published there.

Program — Caebo, Klompenball, Zapfenstreich

The festival program combines classic traditions with contemporary social life:

Caebo (Friday and Saturday)

The live band Caebo will perform in the festival tent on the two main evenings. Cover and party rock, a regionally known band — a constant feature of the Hardterbroich Schützenfest.

Klompenball with DJ Marc (Sunday)

The Klompenball is a Lower Rhine tradition — celebrated in wooden shoes (“Klompen”), with DJ sets for the younger generation. DJ Marc will be the resident DJ in 2026 — party songs, carnival hits, Lower Rhine classics, 80s/90s disco music.

Zapfenstreich and Serenade

A special traditional moment: the brotherhood's Zapfenstreich (a military tattoo ceremony) followed by a Serenade at the Hardterbroich nursing home. The marksmen march with a brass band to the nursing home and play a serenade for the residents — a socially anchored tradition that shows that the marksmen's association extends beyond the narrow circle of the club.

Club Structures

The St. Apollinaris Brotherhood is divided into:

• St. Apollinaris Shooting Group: the main shooting group of the brotherhood
• Jägerzug 80: a hunting party with its own tradition
• Flag Wavers: artistic flag presentation, a Lower Rhine specialty
• Cylinder Group: top hat group for special occasions

Club president is Marc Gülzow. The brotherhood emphasizes on its website: “The brotherhood is active 365 days a year — not just for the Schützenfest.” Throughout the year, shooting competitions, club evenings, receptions at neighboring brotherhoods, and traditional events take place.

St. Apollinaris — Saint and Patron Saint

The patron saint is St. Apollinaris of Ravenna (1st century), the first bishop of Ravenna and a martyr. In Lower Rhine tradition, he is venerated as the patron saint of marksmen — a rather rare patronage that gives the brotherhood a special profile. The St.-Apollinaris-Platz in Hardterbroich is named after him and also serves as the festival grounds.

Mönchengladbach — City of Marksmen in the Lower Rhine

Mönchengladbach is a city of marksmen par excellence — almost every district has its own brotherhood. Hardterbroich complements the Mönchengladbach marksmen landscape with a particularly active, tradition-bound brotherhood. Those who want to experience Lower Rhine marksmen traditions can follow the Mönchengladbach marksmen's year: Hardter Spring Kirmes in May, Rheydter Spring Kirmes in early May, Hardterbroich Schützenfest in early June, and other district festivals throughout the summer.