Schützenfest Steinheim — Bürgerschützenverein

Bürgerschützenverein Steinheim — Marksmen's Tradition in the Hochstift

The Bürgerschützenverein e.V. Steinheim/Westf. is one of the traditional associations in the Höxter district. As is the case everywhere in the predominantly Catholic Hochstift Paderborn, the shooting fraternity is deeply rooted in village and town culture — the BSV Steinheim, with its three companies (I, II, III) and active club life, is one of the largest in the region. The commander is Andreas Rohde.

Dates 2026 — from Children's Schützenfest to Coronation Ball

The 2026 Schützenfest season extends over several weeks:

• June 3rd, 2026 — Children's Schützenfest: Marksmen's tradition for the youngest generation
• June 5th, 2026 — Kommers with brass band concert: Ceremonial opening session with music
• June 6th, 2026 — King's shooting: Candidates shoot at the wooden bird; the winner becomes the marksmen's king
• June 14th, 2026 — King and Queen reception: Official presentation of the new royal couple
• June 20th–22nd, 2026 — Main Schützenfest: three days of parade, festival evenings, coronation ball, parade on Sunday

Main Festival June 20th–22nd — Parade and Coronation Ball

The main Schützenfest follows the classic Westphalian format: Saturday evening opening with a festive march and ball, Sunday High Mass, morning pint, and a grand parade with all three companies, royal courts of friendly associations, and music bands from the Höxter district. Monday features a morning pint, parade, and the coronation ball as the highlight. In good weather, the festival also attracts visitors from Höxter, Brakel, Bad Driburg, and Detmold.

Steinheim and the Höxter District

Steinheim/Westf. is a town in the southern Höxter district with about 12,000 inhabitants, located on the edge of the Eggegebirge mountains. Known as the birthplace of the Weser Renaissance furniture style, with a historic old town and castle. The Schützenfest is one of the most traditional and fixed dates in the annual town calendar. In the Höxter district, around 70 Schützenfeste take place between May and September; Steinheim is among the largest in its vicinity.