Schützenfest Sümmern (St. Sebastian 1842 e.V.)

Sümmern and its Marksmen Tradition

Sümmern, along with Griesenbrauck, is one of the eastern districts of Iserlohn in the Märkischer Kreis (Arnsberg administrative district). Located in the heart of the Sauerland, the village is characterized by club life, marksmen tradition, and Westphalian conviviality. The St. Sebastian 1842 e.V. marksmen's association, founded in 1842, is one of the oldest clubs in the area and the most important social link — its annual Schützenfest on the Hermannshöhe is the social highlight of the year.

Four Days of Festival Tent on the Hermannshöhe

The Schützenfest spans four days, traditionally from the last weekend in July (Friday to Monday). In 2026, it falls on July 24 to 27. The venue is the Schützenplatz (marksmen's grounds) at Hermannshöhe, Schützenstraße 12 in Iserlohn-Sümmern — a dedicated club site with a festival hall, shooting range, and spacious outdoor area. A large festival tent will be erected, offering space for thousands of visitors.

Schedule of the Schützenfest

The event kicks off on Friday evening with the traditional gathering of the marksmen with a parade to the Schützenplatz, followed by a ceremony and dance evening in the festival tent with live music. Saturday is dedicated to the king's shooting and the traditional marksmen's mass, followed by the grand coronation ball in the evening. Sunday features the grand parade through Sümmern and Griesenbrauck with marksmen, marching bands, traditional costume groups, and the royal couples of past years; a grand festival concert takes place in the evening. The festival concludes on Monday with a morning pint, ladies' coffee, and a family program.

King's Shooting — The Emotional Climax

As with every Rhineland-Westphalian Schützenfest, the main question is: Who will be the new king? During the king's shooting on Saturday, any member who wishes to participate steps up — the one who shoots the last wooden splinter off the wooden bird will become the new marksmen's king and reign over the association with his queen for one year. The coronation on Saturday evening with a grand festival tent ball is the social highlight — the queen wears a heavy, historic crown chain.

Family Festival and Fairground

Parallel to the marksmen's events, the family festival with carousels, food stalls, shooting galleries, and a wheel of fortune takes place on the club grounds. Food and drinks are served at standard festival prices, and the festival tent is open to non-marksmen as well. The Sümmern-Griesenbrauck clubs participate with their own stalls and program items.

Getting to Sümmern

Accessible by car via the A 46 (exit Iserlohn-Ost) or the B 7; parking available on the club grounds and in surrounding streets. By train: Iserlohn station, then bus line to Sümmern (Hermannshöhe stop). Iserlohn is about a 30-minute drive from Dortmund and Hagen.