Schützenfest Schützenverein Laxten

Over 220 Years of Club History

The Schützenverein Laxten v. 1801 e.V. is one of Lingen's oldest shooting clubs. The club's history dates back to the early 19th century — a time when shooting clubs were organized as civil defense and festival communities in many Emsland towns. Laxten, now a district of Lingen, has preserved its village club culture despite its incorporation into the city, and the shooting club is one of its most important pillars.

Ascension Day Weekend

The festival traditionally takes place on the Ascension Day weekend — thus from Friday, May 8th, to Monday, May 11th, in 2026. With the public holiday on Thursday (May 14th in the previous year), the extended weekend provides the perfect setting for a four-day Schützenfest with all the classic program points.

Four Days of Festival Program

The Laxten Schützenfest follows the classic festival sequence of a large Emsland Schützenfest:

• Friday, May 8: Festival kickoff with picking up the king, march to the festival grounds, opening evening with live music or DJ
• Saturday, May 9: Shooting competitions, cup shooting, king's dinner, grand dance evening
• Sunday, May 10: Festive church service, bird shooting, grand parade, proclamation of the new shooting king, king's ball
• Monday, May 11: Morning pint, family day, closing evening

Laxten Festival Grounds

The venue is the Laxten festival grounds — the traditional shooting meadow with a festival tent, shooting range, and large green areas. During the festival, the grounds become the center of village life, with catering, a dance tent, shooting ranges, and a family area.

Club Life and Village Community

The festival thrives on the voluntary commitment of the club members, who handle all preparations — from setting up the festival tent to the catering — themselves. The close connection between the club and the village community makes the Schützenfest a true village festival in which the entire Laxten population participates.