Schützenfest Salzhausen

Salzhausen Marksmen's Company

The Salzhausen Marksmen's Company is the local custodian of marksmen's customs in the heath village south of Hamburg. The association hosts the annual main festival on its own grounds and forms the backbone of village community life. Club evenings, king's balls, and preparation meetings for the Schützenfest structure the club's year.

Salzhausen in the Lüneburg Heath Nature Park

Salzhausen is the main town of the municipality of the same name in the Harburg district and is located in the Lüneburg Heath Nature Park. The historic town center with its half-timbered houses, the Salzhausen Church, and its location on the historic Salt Road shape the town's appearance. The Schützenfest is embedded in this scenic and cultural backdrop and benefits from the high identification of the residents with their hometown.

Festival Date Around the Second Sunday in June

The Salzhausen Schützenfest follows a fixed calendar schedule: it takes place every year around the second Sunday in June. This reliable date makes it a fixed point in the region's festival calendar and allows marksmen families as well as out-of-town guests to plan long-term. In 2026, the festival will take place from June 12th to 15th.

Tradition of Bird Shooting and King's Crowning

The bird shooting on Saturday forms the sporting heart of the festival: whoever knocks the last piece off the wooden bird (Adler) from the shooting stand becomes the new marksmen's king or queen. The subsequent crowning of the king, with the handover of the king's chain and a festive speech, is the most emotional moment of the weekend. The new king or queen takes over the company's representative duties for one year and represents Salzhausen at the Schützenfeste of neighboring clubs.

Children's Parade and Family Offer

The children's parade is a special feature of the Salzhausen festival: the children march through the town center adorned with flower garlands and flags, thus actively involving them in the marksmen's tradition. Carousels, candy stalls, and games turn the festival grounds into a small fair (Kirmes) for families. This conscious focus on children and young people ensures the generational transition and the vibrancy of the customs.