Schützenfest Sottrum
Edition 2026 Heritage History Folk traditions

Schützenfest Sottrum

Traditional village marksmen's festival in the Sottrum municipality with parade, king proclamation, dance evening, and family day

Sottrum — Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme) (03357)
Dates 06 Jun — 07 Jun 2026
Venue Sottrum (03357)
Prices
Status

About Schützenfest Sottrum

The Schützenfest Sottrum is one of the traditional folk festivals in the municipality of Sottrum in the Rotenburg (Wümme) district. The organizer is the Schützenverein Sottrum (marksmen's club), which invites members, families, and guests to a festive weekend every year. The meeting point is the Gasthaus Henke in the town center. From there, the marksmen's procession in uniform with a brass band starts through the streets of Sottrum, accompanied by onlookers. The highlight is the proclamation of the new marksmen's king and queen on Sunday at 2:00 PM. Bird shooting, cup competitions, festive parade, ceremonial speech, king's dinner, dance evening with live music, and a family day with children's shooting and children's king characterize the weekend. Date for 2026 is expected to be in early June; the exact date will be confirmed by the club.

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Marksmen's Festival in the Sottrum Municipality

Sottrum, with a population of just over 7,500, is one of the larger municipalities in the western district of Rotenburg (Wümme). The Schützenverein Sottrum has deep roots in the community and shapes social life far beyond the immediate club members. The annual marksmen's festival is the highlight of the club's year and is one of the most traditional village festivals in the western district.

Opening at Gasthaus Henke

The marksmen's club traditionally gathers at the Gasthaus Henke in the center of Sottrum. The festive weekend begins here with assembly, greetings, and the reception of the reigning king and queen couples and honored guests. The festive parade through the village also starts from the inn.

Festive Parade

The marksmen's procession in uniform, led by the brass band and accompanied by the royal entourage, moves through the main streets of Sottrum. Residents decorate houses and front gardens and line the streets to greet the marksmen. The festive parade is one of the most impressive sights of the festival.

Bird Shooting and Competitions

The bird shooting decides who will be the new king or queen. At the shooting range, members shoot at a wooden bird until the last piece falls. Whoever lands the final shot becomes the new king or queen. Parallel to this, cup competitions take place in various categories: young marksmen, ladies, gentlemen, seniors, honorary kings.

Proclamation on Sunday

On Sunday at 2:00 PM, the entire club gathers for the proclamation. The new majesties – king, queen, youth king, junior king, ladies' queen – are officially inaugurated with sashes and crowns in the presence of other clubs and the public.

Dance Evening and Family Day

The dance evening with a live band or DJ on Saturday night draws all generations to the festival tent. The village celebrates late into the night with beer, bratwurst, and dancing. The family day, often on Sunday afternoon, offers children's shooting, a bouncy castle, a children's king competition, and a cake buffet.

Schützenfest Sottrum — edition 2026

The Schützenfest Sottrum 2026 is expected to take place in early June 2026. The Schützenverein Sottrum invites you to the traditional festive weekend with assembly at Gasthaus Henke, a parade through the village, bird shooting, cup competitions, and a dance evening. The highlight is the proclamation of the new marksmen's king on Sunday at 2:00 PM. On Sunday afternoon, there will be a family day with children's shooting and children's king. The exact date will be confirmed by the club in spring 2026.

Festive Weekend for the Village

The marksmen's festival transforms the center of Sottrum into a festival mile for two days.

Highlight on Sunday

King proclamation at 2:00 PM, ceremonial speech, and dance evening.

Programme Schützenfest Sottrum 2026

Program Structure (Key Points)

The exact 2026 program will be published by the organizer in spring 2026. The structure follows the proven key points from previous years:

  • Saturday — Assembly at Gasthaus Henke, festive parade through Sottrum with brass band
  • Saturday — Bird shooting and cup competitions in various categories
  • Saturday — King's dinner for marksmen and honored guests
  • Saturday evening — Dance evening with live band or DJ in the festival tent
  • Sunday 10:00 AM — Morning pint, ceremonial speech
  • Sunday 2:00 PM — Proclamation of the new marksmen's king and majesties
  • Sunday — Family day with children's shooting, children's king, bouncy castle, cake buffet
  • Sunday evening — Festival finale

Highlights Schützenfest Sottrum 2026

  • Festive parade in uniform with brass band through Sottrum
  • Bird shooting for the new royal title
  • King proclamation Sunday 2 PM
  • Dance evening in the festival tent
  • Family day with children's shooting and children's king

Prices Schützenfest Sottrum 2026

Festival grounds freely accessible. Dance evening and ceremonial speech may have an admission fee according to club tariffs. Food and drinks according to price list.

Practical information — Schützenfest Sottrum

Date 2026

June 2026, expected early June (around June 6th–7th). The exact date will be confirmed by the Schützenverein Sottrum.

Location

Schützenplatz and Gasthaus Henke, 27367 Sottrum, Sottrum municipality.

Admission

Admission to the festival grounds is free. Festival tent and dance evening may have an admission fee according to club tariffs.

Organizer

Schützenverein Sottrum e.V., [email protected], Phone 01520 8960950.

Information

Program overview and current dates at www.sv-sottrum.de.

Getting There

Sottrum is located on the A 1 (Sottrum exit) and the B 75 between Bremen and Rotenburg (Wümme). Sottrum train station on the Bremen–Hamburg line.

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Contact Schützenfest Sottrum

Tel
+49 1520 8960950

Schützenfest Sottrum at a glance

Heritage History Folk traditions Folklore Family Outdoor Free Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme)