Name: Schützenfest Lemgo — 450th anniversary 2026
Start: 2026-08-28T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-31T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Schützenplatz Lemgo

Schützenfest Lemgo 450

About Schützenfest Lemgo 450

A historic milestone: the Lemgoer Schützengesellschaft von 1575 celebrates its 450th birthday in 2026 — with a major anniversary Schützenfest (riflemen's festival) from 28 to 31 August 2026 on the Schützenplatz in the Hanseatic city of Lemgo. Over four days the association puts on an extraordinary programme: Regimentszapfenstreich (regimental tattoo) on the market square on the opening Friday, concert + DJ Mino, king's proclamation with grand parade, plus the festival tent, children's programme, food offer and special historical highlights commemorating nearly half a millennium of association history.

Dates 28 Aug — 31 Aug 2026

Venue Lemgo (05766)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Schützenfest Lemgo 450 — edition 2026

The anniversary Schützenfest marking 450 years of the Lemgoer Schützengesellschaft von 1575 takes place from 28 to 31 August 2026 on the Schützenplatz in Lemgo. Regimentszapfenstreich on the market square, concert + DJ Mino set, king's proclamation, grand parade.

Four days of extraordinary anniversary programme for the 450th birthday of one of Germany's oldest riflemen's societies. The classic Schützenfest format is combined with an especially elaborate opening Zapfenstreich and a grand parade on Sunday with guest associations from all over Germany.

Highlights Schützenfest Lemgo 450 2026

450th anniversary — historic Schützenfest event
Regimentszapfenstreich on the market square as the kick-off
DJ Mino set on opening Friday
Grand anniversary parade through Lemgo's old town
King's proclamation of the new majesties
Free admission to the festival grounds

Programme Schützenfest Lemgo 450 2026

Friday 28 August 2026 — opening & concert

18:45 Regimentszapfenstreich on Lemgo's market square
20:00 Concert + DJ Mino set in the festival tent at the Schützenplatz

Saturday 29 August 2026 — Vogelschießen

During the day Vogelschießen (shooting at the wooden eagle) to determine the new king
Evening Festive kommers with guest associations

Sunday 30 August 2026 — parade & proclamation

Afternoon Grand anniversary parade through Lemgo's old town
16:00 (or Monday) King's proclamation of the new majesties
Evening King's ball with dance music

Monday 31 August 2026 — family day

Morning Frühschoppen with a brass band
Afternoon Family programme, bouncy castle, children's activities
Possibly King's proclamation if not held on Sunday

Prices Schützenfest Lemgo 450 2026

Free admission to the festival grounds, the grand parade and the Regimentszapfenstreich. King's ball and individual concerts may require a table reservation via the association.

Practical information

Practical information — Schützenfest Lemgo 450

Getting there

By train to Lemgo (RB72 from Bielefeld or Hamm — Lemgo-Lüttfeld station is a 5-minute walk from the Schützenplatz). By car via the A2 (exit Bielefeld), then B66 towards Lemgo.

Programme times

Friday 28.8. from 18:45 (Regimentszapfenstreich on the market square). Saturday and Sunday continuous festival on the Schützenplatz. King's proclamation on Sunday or Monday at 16:00.

Admission

Free to the festival grounds and the grand parade. King's ball and individual concerts may require a table reservation.

Tip

Plan a stroll through Lemgo's historic old town before the Schützenfest weekend — the market square with the town hall is one of the finest Renaissance ensembles in northern Germany.

450 years of riflemen's tradition in Lemgo

The Lemgoer Schützengesellschaft von 1575 is one of the oldest riflemen's societies in Germany. Founded in 1575 within the then citizenry of Lemgo, the society has moved through five centuries of German history — through the Thirty Years' War, the Napoleonic occupation, two World Wars, the division and reunification of Germany. The 450th anniversary in 2026 is the occasion for an extraordinary festival weekend that goes well beyond the annual Schützenfest.

Four days of anniversary programme — from tattoo to king's parade

The programme starts on Friday 28 August 2026 with a Regimentszapfenstreich on the market square at 18:45, followed by concert + DJ Mino set from 20:00. Saturday and Sunday are dedicated to the traditional Schützenfest elements — Vogelschießen (shooting at the wooden eagle), festive kommers with guest associations, king's ball. The king's proclamation of the new majesties takes place either on Sunday 30 August or Monday 31 August at 16:00. A grand parade with allied riflemen's societies from Ostwestfalen-Lippe and all over Germany moves through Lemgo's old town.

Family programme on the festival grounds

Alongside the classic association programme there is an extensive family programme: bouncy castle, crafts workshops for children, food offer with local providers, festival tent with live music and dancing. The Schützenplatz becomes a family-friendly festival ground that draws several thousand visitors even outside the ceremonial highlights.

Lemgo — one of the most beautiful Hanseatic cities in Westphalia

The Hanseatic city of Lemgo in the Lippe district (Ostwestfalen) is one of the best-preserved Renaissance and half-timbered towns in Germany. With its medieval market square, the museum house of the "Witch Mayor" (Hexenbürgermeister-Haus) and its active city marketing, Lemgo is a popular tourist destination in the Weserbergland. The riflemen's society and the anniversary Schützenfest are among the central identity markers of this Hanseatic city.