Schützenfest Lichtenau

Tradition since 1663

Few clubs in Ostwestfalen can look back on such a long, uninterrupted history as the Heimatschutzverein Lichtenau 1663 e.V. For over 360 years, the club has preserved tradition, community, and love of home — and the annual Schützenfest is its highlight. Lichtenau, the energy city on the western slope of the Eggegebirge (around 10,700 inhabitants, Paderborn district), gathers from June 27th to 29th, 2026 at the Schützenhalle on Simon-Archenhold-Straße for the parade, royal shoot, and multi-day marquee event.

Three Days of Schützenfest — The Schedule

Saturday, June 27th, 2026 — Opening

On the first day of the festival, the Schützenfest opens with the traditional assembly of the club's departments on the Schützenplatz, followed by the Zapfenstreich (a military ceremony) and the first big dance evening in the marquee. Live bands or DJs provide the atmosphere late into the night — young and old marksmen and guests fill the hall.

Sunday, June 28th, 2026 — Parade

The second day features the grand parade through Lichtenau's city center: marksmen in uniform, marching bands, music clubs, floats — a colorful procession that winds through the old alleys around the market square and ends at the Schützenhalle. In the afternoon and evening, the King's Ball and refreshments are held in the marquee.

Monday, June 29th, 2026 — Royal Shoot

The third and decisive day: the royal shoot. Whoever knocks the last wooden splinter of the eagle off the bird pole becomes the new marksmen king for the 2026/2027 season and leads the royal court with his chosen queen. The coronation and handover ceremonies follow in the marquee — the highlight of the entire marksmen's year.

Lichtenau — Energy City on the Eggegebirge

Lichtenau received its city rights 700 years ago (city anniversary 2026, documented separately) and is now one of Germany's pioneers in renewable energies — hence the nickname "Energy City". With over 200 wind turbines in the municipal area, Lichtenau produces many times more energy than its own population consumes. The Schützenfest is the moment when the long-established civic tradition and the city's modern, future-oriented identity come together.

The Heimatschutzverein Today

The club currently has several hundred members and is divided into several departments — from the women's and men's departments to the marching band and young marksmen, as well as festival committees that plan the marksmen's year. Shooting competitions, social gatherings, participation in city life, and of course the annual Schützenfest shape the club's daily life. The Schützenhalle on Simon-Archenhold-Straße serves as the club's headquarters, festival grounds, and meeting place all at once.

Marquee Atmosphere in the Paderborn Region

Anyone who knows the Schützenfest in the Paderborn region knows: the celebrations here are like nowhere else. Long tables in the marquee, marksmen's marches by the music clubs, later loud live bands or DJs, bratwurst and beer — and the entire town comes together under one roof for three days. For guests from Paderborn, Bad Wünnenberg, Büren, and the surrounding villages, Lichtenau at the end of June is a must-attend event.