Schützenfest St. Georg Göttingen

Marksmen's Brotherhood with Spiritual Tradition

The St. Georg Göttingen Marksmen's Brotherhood combines the Lower Saxon marksmen's festival tradition with the spiritual component that has remained alive in many historical marksmen's brotherhoods. The St. Georg Chapel, as the spiritual anchor of the club community, is the venue for the annual Marksmen's Mass, which opens the festival weekend. This connection between religion and custom distinguishes the brotherhood from purely civilian marksmen's clubs and gives the festival its special character.

Preliminary Drill as a Traditional Prelude

A special feature of the brotherhood is the preliminary drill on May 2nd, 2026, at the Breede family's – a smaller preparatory event that heralds the festival weekend. During the preliminary drill, the marksmen practice their appearance, their marching, and their handling of flags and uniforms. This ensures that the actual festival week is well-prepared and the dignity of the festivities is guaranteed.

Marksmen's Mass and Festival Opening

Friday, May 15th, 2026, begins with the solemn Marksmen's Mass in the St. Georg Chapel. The marksmen assemble in uniform, the flags are blessed, and the club's chaplain celebrates the Mass according to the brotherhood's rite. This is followed by the preliminary drill, and then the shooting competitions from 4 p.m. at the Schützenplatz.

Festival Weekend

Three days of a full program characterize the weekend. Shooting competitions in several classes, the King's Shoot with the proclamation of the new majesties, the festival parade through the club's surroundings, convivial hours in the clubhouse with catering, and the dance evening on Saturday form the cornerstones. Friendly marksmen's clubs and brotherhoods from the region participate in the festival parade.

Göttingen as a Marksmen's City

Göttingen has its own marksmen's tradition with centuries of history, marked by the large Bürger- und Schützenfest in June. The Schützenfest St. Georg is an independent, smaller, and religiously influenced event alongside the major event of the Bürger-Schützen-Gesellschaft. Both festivals complement each other and showcase the diversity of marksmen's life in the university city.