Schützenfest Marienheide

Shooting Tradition in the Oberberg Region — Schützenverein Marienheide

The Schützenverein Marienheide e.V. is the central shooting association of the Oberberg municipality of Marienheide. The annual Schützenfest on the Hei — the traditional festival grounds on Jahnstraße — is the highlight of the club year and one of the most important dates in the Marienheide club calendar. 2026, the Schützenfest will take place from July 3rd to 6th — four days of shooting life.

A Special Start — Torchlight Procession on the Eve of the Eve

A special feature of the Marienheide Schützenfest: already on the eve of the eve, i.e., on July 2nd, 2026, from 10 p.m., the traditional torchlight procession begins. Club members and marksmen march through the town with burning torches — an atmospheric, mystical opening that creates anticipation for the upcoming festival. At dusk, the torches transform the streets of Marienheide into a living play of light.

Program from July 3rd to 6th, 2026

Friday, July 3rd, 2026 — Opening

• Assembly of the shooting departments at the festival grounds on the Hei
• Zapfenstreich (Tattoo)
• Grand Opening Dance Evening in the festival tent

Saturday, July 4th, 2026 — Festival Day

• Club meeting, marksmen's meeting
• Grand Schützenball in the evening with live music

Sunday, July 5th, 2026 — Parade

• Grand parade through Marienheide with shooting departments, Musikzug Marienheide, floats, and the reigning King and Queen
• Coronation of the King
• Festival evening in the festival tent

Monday, July 6th, 2026 — King's Shooting

• King's shooting at the target (Vogel)
• Coronation of the new monarchs 2026/2027
• Festive conclusion

The Musikzug Marienheide

The Musikzug Marienheide plays a central role during the festival days — the local brass band that musically accompanies the Schützenfest and is a central program item of the Sunday parade. Marching and festival music are part of the Oberberg shooting tradition and significantly shape the image of the Marienheide Schützenfest.

Marienheide in the Oberbergischer Kreis

Marienheide (approx. 14,000 inhabitants) is located in the Oberbergischer Kreis east of Cologne, in the Bergisches Land region. In addition to the main town, the municipality includes other districts such as Müllenbach, Kalsbach, and Niederbever. Marienheide is a rural municipality with a strong club landscape — besides the shooting club, there are numerous sports and cultural clubs whose annual festivals shape village life.

The Hei — The Traditional Festival Grounds

"Die Hei" is the local name for the festival grounds on Jahnstraße in Marienheide — a meadow area with a Schützenhalle, a target for the king's shooting (Vogelstange), and enough space for a festival tent and thousands of guests. The Schützenhalle on Jahnstraße also serves as the club's headquarters and is used for club activities year-round.

Oberberg Shooting Culture

The Oberberg region has its own distinct shooting tradition, characterized by special customs such as the torchlight procession on the eve of the eve, a strong connection to local club life, and a pronounced community spirit. Schützenfeste are the most important folk festivals in the Oberbergischer Kreis and attract the entire population across all generations.