Schützenfest Hitzacker 2026

Marksmen's Guild since 1395

The Schützengilde von 1395 zu Hitzacker (Elbe) e.V. is one of the oldest marksmen's associations in Germany — over 630 years of tradition stand behind the annual Schützenfest. From Thursday, June 25th, to Sunday, June 28th, 2026, the celebration will take place on the Schützenplatz Hitzacker.

Hitzacker on the Elbe

The historic island town of Hitzacker (Elbe) is located on a striking loop of the Elbe river and is, alongside Dannenberg, one of the cultural centers of the Wendland region. Here, marksmen's tradition combines with the flair of the Elbe — the festival grounds offer a view of the Elbe river and the historic old town.

Four Days According to the Marching Plan

The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in the spring. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years according to a fixed marching plan:

• Thursday 25.6.: Assembling of the guild, opening ceremony, festive evening with live music
• Friday 26.6.: Bird shooting, dance evening
• Saturday 27.6.: Grand festive parade through Hitzacker, proclamation of the king, king's banquet, festive ball
• Sunday 28.6.: Family day with morning pint (Frühshoppen), children's program, winding down
• Throughout: Amusement rides, food and drink stalls, shooting galleries

Integrated into the Wendland Marksmen's Calendar

The guild maintains close relationships with the other marksmen's guilds in the Lüchow-Dannenberg district:

• June 8th: Guest day at the Schützengilde Lüchow
• June 18th: Guest day at the Schützengilde Dannenberg
• August 15th: Three Guilds' Cup (Dreigildenpokal)

This networking is an important feature of the marksmen's culture in the Wendland — the three guilds regularly assemble together, thus strengthening regional marksmen's traditions.