Schützenfest Rhede (Ems) – Frauenschützen

Frauenschützen in Rhede (Ems) — An Emsland Peculiarity

The existence of an independent women's shooting club is a rare and remarkable phenomenon in German shooting culture. While women can be members in most clubs today, the club structures are historically male-dominated. The women of Rhede have created an independent club, the Frauenschützen, which keeps the shooting tradition alive from a female perspective. This gives the club a special status in the Emsland shooting landscape and enriches Rhede's festival culture with its own facet.

Three Days of Festivities on the Kirmesplatz

In 2026, the festival spans three days from Friday, June 12th, to Sunday, June 14th. The Schützenplatz — the Kirmesplatz in Rhede — becomes the focal point of a festival that combines all the classic elements of a Schützenfest, while emphasizing the unique accent of the Frauenschützen tradition. Friday brings the ceremonial start with assembly and the first evening of festivities, Saturday features the Queen's shooting and the grand Schützenball, and Sunday offers a festive conclusion with the King's dinner.

Embedded in the Rhede Festival Calendar 2026

Rhede's shooting culture is one of the densest in Germany: Eleven independent shooting clubs hold their festivals throughout the season. The Frauenschützenfest on the second weekend of June immediately follows the opening festival in Altrhede (June 6th–8th) and precedes the anniversary festival in Büngern (June 20th–22nd). Subsequently, festivals in Spoler, Vardingholt, Krechting, Crommert, the Junggesellen (Young Bachelors), and the Bauernschützen (Farmers' Shooters) follow, complemented by the traditional Schützengipfel (Shooting Summit) in November.

Significance for the Community

With their festival, the Frauenschützen make an independent contribution to the Rhede festival season. The festival is open to the entire community and its guests and is understood as an integral part of the established shooting culture of the municipality of Rhede (Ems).