Schützenfest Haselünne-Stadtmark (Schützenbruderschaft)

Haselünne — A Town with a Marksmen's History

Haselünne, the historic Hasestadt in southern Emsland, looks back on a centuries-old history and has been an important market town in the region since the Middle Ages. With the town's founding, the marksmen's tradition also developed, with roots reaching back to the late Middle Ages. Today, Haselünne is home to several independent marksmen's associations, of which the Schützenbruderschaft, based in Stadtmark, is one of the most traditional. The Catholic patronage — typical for the brotherhoods in southern Emsland — connects the marksmen's tradition with church life and makes the annual festival a spiritually anchored occasion.

Pentecost Weekend as the Festival Date

In the Catholic Emsland region, Pentecost is traditionally a weekend full of traditional events. The Schützenbruderschaft Haselünne holds its main festival on the Pentecost weekend, taking advantage of the extended festive period to organize a three-day program. In 2026, the festival days fall on Pentecost Saturday (May 16th), Pentecost Sunday (May 17th), and Pentecost Monday (May 18th). The extended weekend provides space for all the classic program elements of an Emsland Schützenfest.

Three Festival Days in Stadtmark

Pentecost Saturday marks the festive opening with the gathering of the brotherhood, the parade through the district, and the first festival evening in the tent. Pentecost Sunday is dedicated to the king's shoot, the proclamation of the king, and the king's dance. Pentecost Monday concludes the festival weekend with the king's dinner and a festive closing. Throughout all three days, music bands and dance bands play in the festival tent, catering is provided by the brotherhood, and the Stadtmark settlement becomes the center of Haselünne's festival life.

Embedded in Haselünne's Marksmen's Culture

In addition to the Schützenbruderschaft based in Stadtmark, Haselünne is home to several other marksmen's associations that celebrate their festivals throughout the season: for example, Stadtmark-Siedlung West (July), Eltern, and other districts. The mutual visits and joint activities of the associations create a dense network that significantly shapes the identity of the Hasestadt.