Schützenfest Olsberg

156 Years of Shooting Tradition in the Sauerland

The St. Michael Olsberg Brotherhood was founded in 1870 — over 150 years of tradition. It is one of the oldest brotherhoods in the Hochsauerlandkreis and has carried the Schützenwesen (shooting club tradition) in the Olsberg region through generations. Its patron is the Archangel Michael, patron saint of Christianity and, in the Middle Ages, patron of soldiers and archers.

When: Pentecost Weekend, June 13–15, 2026

The 2026 Schützenfest takes place from Saturday, June 13 to Monday, June 15, 2026. The three days feature a classic Schützenfest schedule with a clearly defined sequence: Opening with setting up the bird on Saturday, a grand procession on Sunday, bird shooting, and proclamation of the new king on Monday.

Program Details

Saturday — Schützenmesse and Bird Setting Up

• 3:00 PM: Assembly at Olsberg Market Square
• 3:15 PM: Wreath-laying ceremony at St. Nikolaus Church
• 3:30 PM: Schützenmesse, followed by setting up the wooden bird at the Hasley shooting range
• 8:00 PM: Ball in the Olsberg Konzerthalle

Sunday — Grand Procession

• 1:30 PM: Assembly points for the star march to the market square
• 2:30 PM: Grand Procession through Olsberg
• 5:30 PM: King's Dance and Children's Dance
• 8:00 PM: Ball with farewell of the royal couple

Monday — Bird Shooting and Proclamation

• 9:00 AM: Bird shooting at Hasley — whoever shoots the last piece of the wooden bird off the pole becomes the new king
• 1:00 PM: Proclamation of the new shooting king
• 7:00 PM: Grand final procession
• 8:00 PM: King's Dance and closing ball

Uniforms and Self-Image

Members participate in traditional uniforms: shooting cap, dark jacket, and white trousers. The brotherhood explicitly emphasizes: “It is a matter of course and honor for every member to participate in both the Schützenmesse and the processions.” The sense of community is paramount — Schützenwesen as a lived village community.

Hasley and Konzerthalle — The Venues

The Hasley is the brotherhood's traditional shooting range. This is where the bird shooting takes place — a discipline that is both sporting and symbolic. The Olsberg Konzerthalle hosts the balls that round off the festival.

Olsberg in the Hochsauerland

Olsberg is a town in the Hochsauerlandkreis, located on the Ruhr River, with approximately 13,000 inhabitants. Olsberg is primarily known as a spa town: the Aqua Olsberg, a modern thermal bath complex, is one of the largest in North Rhine-Westphalia. Its scenic location between the Rothaargebirge and the highest elevations of the Sauerland makes Olsberg a popular holiday destination. Visitors attending the Schützenfest in June can ideally combine it with hiking and a visit to the thermal baths.