Schützenfest Ostbevern

A Tradition Since 1858

The St. Ambrosius Ostbevern Civil Archers' Brotherhood, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest marksmen's clubs in the Münsterland region. With over 800 members, it remains one of Ostbevern's largest clubs today — deeply rooted in the village and church community.

Festival Grounds with Permanent Infrastructure

Since 1997, the brotherhood has had its permanent festival grounds opposite the Bever Stadium along the B51. The site offers a well-maintained grassy area, an oak-fringed space, and permanent sanitary facilities. It hosts not only the annual Schützenfest but also many other club events throughout the year.

Corpus Christi Weekend as the Highlight

The Schützenfest traditionally falls on the Corpus Christi weekend. In 2026, this corresponds to June 4–7 — Thursday to Sunday. Four days of events: ceremony, king's shooting, coronation ball, parade. The Corpus Christi date makes the festival particularly visitor-friendly in North Rhine-Westphalia, as Thursday is a public holiday.

Patron Saint St. Ambrose

The brotherhood's patron saint is St. Ambrose (Bishop of Milan in the 4th century) — a choice reflecting the brotherhood's tradition as a church-affiliated civil defense force. The close connection to the St. Ambrosius Ostbevern parish community shapes the festival to this day.

Ostbevern in the Warendorf District

Ostbevern is a municipality with just under 11,000 inhabitants in the Warendorf district, on the border of the Münsterland region. Nestled in the typical park and landscape of the Münsterland, Ostbevern is known for its horse breeding and active club life — the Civil Archers' Brotherhood is one of its defining club faces.

Münsterland Schützenfeste

The Münsterland region is one of the areas with the most Schützenfeste in Germany. Almost every municipality has its own marksmen's club, and they visit each other's festivals. The typical Münsterland Schützen style is characterized by large festival tents, a particularly close connection to the parish community, and strong club structures with often several hundred members. The Ostbevern Civil Archers' Brotherhood, with its over 800 members, is a classic example of this.

Tips for Your Visit

The Ostbevern Schützenfest is particularly attractive due to its fixed date on the Corpus Christi weekend — Thursday, a public holiday in North Rhine-Westphalia, makes travel convenient even for visitors from afar. The festival grounds opposite the Bever Stadium are equipped with well-maintained grassy areas and permanent infrastructure. Those who want to see more of the region can combine the visit with a tour of the Münsterland Castle Route or a trip to Münster, which is only about 25 km away.