Schützenfest St. Johannes Delbrück

Shooting Tradition in the Paderborn District

In the Paderborn district, the shooting fraternity is cultivated like almost nowhere else: Over 70 Schützenfeste per year make Ostwestfalen one of the most densely populated areas of tradition in Germany. The St. Johannes Shooting Brotherhood of Delbrück is one of the traditional clubs in this region — the town of Delbrück, with its nine districts, sees itself as a stronghold of shooting in the Westphalian Heiderücken.

Program 2026

The actual Schützenfest runs from Saturday, June 13th, to Monday, June 15th, 2026. The bird shooting on Saturday, May 30th, precedes it — a tradition where the shooters shoot the wooden bird off the pole, thereby determining their new king. The monarch will then be officially proclaimed during the festival weekend itself, with a parade, a shooters' mass, and a grand coronation ball.

Three Days of Festival Tent at Haustenbach

The Schützenplatz at Haustenbach on the outskirts of Delbrück provides the backdrop for the festival tent, where live bands and dance groups perform on all three days. Saturday features a grand ball, Sunday a morning pint with brass music and a parade through the town center, Monday is a traditional children's and family day. The entire citizenry of Delbrück celebrates along.

What Makes a Schützenfest

In Catholic Westphalia, Schützenfeste are far more than just folk festivals (Volksfeste) — they are the social backbone of the village community. From the royal retinue and court attendants to the company formations: generations are connected here, friendships are sealed, and identity is nurtured. In Delbrück, the St. Johannes shooters have carried on this tradition for over a century.

Delbrück in the Western Paderborn Area

Delbrück is located in the west of the Paderborn district, on the border with Lippe and Münsterland, and has around 33,000 inhabitants, including its districts. The town belongs to the Archdiocese of Paderborn and cultivates a distinct Catholic tradition — Schützenfeste, processions, and harvest festivals (Erntedankfeste) mark the rhythm of the year.