Schützenfest Marienloh 2026 — Paderborn

Schützenfest in the Paderborn Region

The Paderborn region is one of the most densely populated Schützenfest regions in Germany — almost every district has its own marksmen's club, its own King's proclamations, its own bird shooting. The Schützenfest Marienloh is one of the most traditional club festivals in the Marienloh district, north of Paderborn's city center. Organizer: the St. Sebastian Marksmen's Brotherhood Marienloh. The festival takes place from Saturday, August 22nd to Monday, August 24th, 2026.

When and Where?

• Bird Shooting: Saturday, August 8th, 2026 — Preliminary event to determine the King and Queen
• Festival Days: Saturday, August 22nd to Monday, August 24th, 2026
• Location: Schützenhalle Marienloh, Marienloh district, 33104 Paderborn
• Admission: free

The Program

Preliminary Event: Bird Shooting on August 8th, 2026

Two weeks before the actual festival, the King of the club is determined: the bird shooting at the wooden bird on the festival grounds. Whoever shoots the remaining piece of the bird with the last shot becomes the Marksmen King — and, with his Queen, the central figure of the festival three weeks later.

Saturday, August 22nd — Festival Opening

Assembly of the marksmen's companies at the Schützenhalle Marienloh. March to the festival grounds. Opening ceremony with the reigning King and Queen. First dance music in the festival tent.

Sunday, August 23rd — Highlight with Festive Procession

Highlight of the festival: the grand festive procession through Marienloh. Marksmen's companies in full uniform, music bands, traditional costume wearers, the King and Queen in the royal carriage. The procession lasts several hours and leads through central streets of the district — residents stand in front of their houses, clap, throw candy, some offer beer and schnapps to the marksmen.

Monday, August 24th — Winding Down

Festival evening with King's reception, dance music, farewell of the marksmen — and a preview of the 2027 King and Queen.

Embedded in the Paderborn Schützenfest Weekend

Marienloh is not alone: on the same weekend, other Paderborn districts are celebrating Schützenfeste:

• Sande — St. Hubertus Marksmen's Brotherhood, King Gregor Böddeker, Queen Michaela Kneuper
• Sudhagen — St. Heinrich Marksmen's Brotherhood, Queen Brigitte Michaelis (3rd Deputy Mayor of Delbrück)
• Holsen-Schwelle-Winkhausen — combined marksmen's club, King Jens Flottmeier and Queen Sophie Lichtenauer

One week later (August 29th–30th), the District Schützenfest in Salzkotten-Upsprunge follows as a regional season highlight.

St. Sebastian Marksmen's Brotherhood Marienloh

The St. Sebastian Marksmen's Brotherhood Marienloh is one of the most traditional clubs in the district — with centuries of history as a religious brotherhood and in its current club form for over 100 years. Members preserve the Schützentradition (marksmen's tradition) as a cultural heritage of the Paderborn region: Catholic in character, with a marksmen's mass, bird shooting, and festive procession.

Marienloh — Paderborn District

Marienloh is one of the northern districts of Paderborn — historically an independent rural municipality, today part of the university city of Paderborn. With approx. 3,500 inhabitants, it is a typical district with a rural character that maintains its independence through the Schützenfest and club life.