Schützenfest Ippendorf

Ippendorf and its Shooters

In the south of Bonn, in the district of Ippendorf on the slope of the Venusberg, sits the St. Sebastianus Schützengesellschaft Ippendorf 1956 — founded almost 70 years ago and a firm fixture in the district's life ever since. Once a year — at the end of April — the society hosts its grand Schützenfest, embedded in the days leading up to May 1st.

April 25th-27th, 2026 — Three Days in the Festival Tent

The 2026 edition runs from Saturday, April 25th to Monday, April 27th, 2026, in the festival tent on the old Ippendorf schoolyard. The traditional three-day program follows the Rhenish shooting fraternity's choreography:

• Saturday, April 25th — Opening ceremony, opening of the festival tent, assembly of the shooters, live music until late
• Sunday, April 26th — Shooting mass, king's shooting, coronation of the new king and queen, king's ball in the evening
• Monday, April 27th — Morning pint, children's Schützenfest, winding down

Dance into May on April 30th

A few days after the Schützenfest, on Thursday, April 30th, 2026, the Tanz in den Mai (Dance into May) takes place — also organized by the Schützengesellschaft in the festival tent. A May festival party that continues the traditional 'Dance into May' heritage of Rhenish district festivals. Live music, standing beer service, dancing until after midnight.

St. Seb. — The Patron Saint

St. Sebastian is the traditional patron saint of the shooters. The Schützengesellschaft has borne his name since its founding in 1956 — a relatively young foundation compared to centuries-old brotherhoods, but with a clear tradition rooted in Rhenish-Catholic district life and the shooting fraternity customs that are particularly cherished in Bonn's districts (Endenich, Beuel, Ippendorf, Mehlem, Niederbachem).

Ippendorf — The District on the Venusberg

Ippendorf is located in southwestern Bonn, at the foot of the Venusberg. With around 6,000 inhabitants, it's a manageable district with its own identity — characterized by the Bonn University Hospital on the Venusberg plateau and the small shops and restaurants around the old village center. The Ippendorf local council represents citizens' concerns; the Schützengesellschaft is one of the central clubs.

Bonn — The Former Capital

Bonn (around 335,000 inhabitants) was the federal capital of Germany from 1949 to 1991. Today, the city is a UN location (with 18 UN organizations), home to DAX corporations (Deutsche Telekom, Deutsche Post DHL), and a university city. The Rhenish way of life shapes the cityscape — with Carnival, district Schützenfeste, and an active civic association culture. The Ippendorf Schützenfest is one of the typical district festivals that keeps this culture alive.