Schützenfest Hellenthal

Schützenfest in the Eifel Community of Hellenthal

The Schützenfest Hellenthal is the central traditional event of the Eifel community in the southern district of Euskirchen. From June 4th to 7th, 2026 – Thursday to Sunday – the St. Sebastianus Marksmen's Brotherhood of Hellenthal hosts its annual festival at the Bogenstraße festival grounds. Four days of Eifel marksmen tradition with a festival tent, king's shooting, parade, and coronation. Open daily from 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM.

Four Days of Eifel Marksmanship

The program follows the classic Rhineland-Westphalian Schützenfest rhythm, slightly adapted to Eifel traditions:

• Thursday, June 4th, 2026 – Tent inspection and festival opening. A traditional act: the newly erected festival tent is officially inspected by the brotherhood and the festival caterer, and the first beer kegs are tapped. Followed by a cozy festival tent evening with music.
• Friday, June 5th, 2026 – Early gathering starting at noon. Drawing of the marksmen's classes and shooting order. In the evening, the first big festival tent program with live music.
• Saturday, June 6th, 2026 – King's shooting at the bird shooting facility. Members of the brotherhood shoot at the wooden bird – whoever shoots off the last piece becomes the marksmen's king. Followed by the coronation in the festival tent, and in the evening, the King's Ball with dancing.
• Sunday, June 7th, 2026 – Festival service, followed by the Grand Parade through Hellenthal with brotherhoods from the region, music bands, and the new king and queen. Festival finale in the tent.

St. Sebastianus Marksmen's Brotherhood of Hellenthal

The St. Sebastianus Marksmen's Brotherhood of Hellenthal is part of the traditional Rhenish marksmen movement. The annual Schützenfest is the most important brotherhood ritual – a testament to tradition, community bonding, and Eifel identity. On Bogenstraße, there is their own festival grounds with a permanent bird shooting facility – an indicator of well-established club life.

Hellenthal — Eifel Village on the Edge of the Eifel National Park

Hellenthal is a small municipality in the southern Euskirchen district, with around 7,500 inhabitants. It is located on the edge of the Eifel National Park, one of the most scenic regions in North Rhine-Westphalia. Hellenthal is the gateway to the Olef dam, the Hellenthal wildlife park, and the Hohes Venn high moorland. The annual Schützenfest fits into the calendar of customs of a rural, predominantly Catholic region: marksmen's traditions, club life, and pilgrimage traditions are part of its identity.

Bogenstraße Festival Grounds

The Bogenstraße festival grounds are the designated brotherhood site in the middle of Hellenthal. Festival tent, bird shooting facility, festival caterer infrastructure, parking – everything on site. Those coming from the surrounding towns of Schleiden, Kall, Blankenheim, or Monschau can drive directly to the festival grounds.