Schützenfest Havixbeck

Three Days of Westphalian Marksmen Tradition

The Schützenfest Havixbeck is one of the central club festivals in the annual calendar of the Baumberge municipality in the Coesfeld district. In 2026, the festival runs from July 3rd to 5th, organized by the Schützenverein Havixbeck (colloquially known as Kiebitzheide). Three days of program with the classic trio of festival tent, King's Shoot, and church service.

Friday, July 3rd — Bohemian Evening in the Festival Tent

The event kicks off with the Bohemian Evening starting at 7:00 PM in the festival tent — brass music in the Bohemian-Moravian style, beer-mug atmosphere, polka, and waltzes. The Bohemian Evening has established itself as a crowd-puller for years and attracts many guests from neighboring municipalities (Münster, Nottuln, Billerbeck).

Saturday, July 4th — Festival Day and King's Shoot

Saturday is dedicated to the King's Shoot on the marksmen's grounds, followed by a parade through the village. In the evening, a festival ball takes place in the tent with the crowning of the new King and Queen. The marksmen's mass, the ceremony, and dancing with club members and guests continue into the late hours.

Sunday, July 5th — High Mass, Morning Pint, and Children's Marksmen's Festival

Sunday is family day. It begins with the High Mass in St. Dionysius, the parish church of Havixbeck. Afterwards, a morning pint (Frühschoppen) is held in the festival tent with march music. In the afternoon, the Children's Marksmen's Festival takes place with a children's king shoot (crossbow on a wooden bird), games, a raffle, and sweets. For many families in Havixbeck, this is the highlight of the marksmen's weekend.

Tradition and Club Life

During the Schützenfest, the club traditionally honors its long-standing members — in 2026, the focus will be on the 40-year memberships of several members. At the annual general meeting in January 2026, Markus Möller handed over the main captaincy to Horst Hendrik Hölscher. Recent marksmen kings include David Schwanemeier (2023, 2025) and Andre Diekstall (2024).

Havixbeck — Baumberge in Münsterland

Havixbeck is located in the Münsterland region of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Coesfeld district, about 15 km west of Münster. The municipality is the gateway to the Baumberge — the highest elevation in Münsterland (188 m) and home to the famous Baumberger sandstone. The Baumberger Sandstone Museum, Haus Stapel (concert hall), and Burg Hülshoff, the birthplace of the poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, make the town a cultural focal point in western Münsterland.

Marksmen Tradition in Münsterland

Münsterland is one of the regions in Germany with the most Schützenfeste. Practically every village has its own marksmen's club with an annual festival — typical elements include the King's Shoot, King's Ball, morning pint, High Mass, and parade. The Schützenverein Havixbeck is part of this dense network of clubs and preserves the Catholic-influenced marksmen tradition of northern Münsterland.