Schützenfest Wasserleben

Shooting Tradition on the Northern Edge of the Harz Mountains

Wasserleben, a district of the municipality of Nordharz in the Harz district, lies at the gateway to the low mountain range – between Halberstadt and Wernigerode, directly at the transition to the Magdeburger Börde. Like many places on the northern edge of the Harz mountains, the village cultivates an intensive club culture, and the annual Schützenfest Wasserleben is its highlight.

For four days, the shooting grounds are the stage for a folk festival that involves all generations. It begins on Thursday evening with the Schützenball – an elegant opening night in the festival tent, to which friendly clubs are invited. On Friday, music bands play, and the fife and drum corps march through the village. Saturday is dedicated to the Königsschießen (king's shoot): the new shooting king is determined at the shooting range, and celebrated in the evening. Sunday is for the grand Bummelanten-Umzug – a traditional, often humorous costume parade that has concluded the festival weekend for generations.

Children's Festival and Family Day

A special feature of the Wasserleben Schützenfest: its own Kinderfest. While the adults celebrate in the festival tent, there is a separate program for the youngest with competitions, a children's king's shoot (with light rifle), bouncy castle, and carousel. This makes the Wasserleben Schützenfest one of the most family-friendly folk festivals in the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Anyone exploring the northern edge of the Harz mountains in July will find an authentic meeting point in Wasserleben, far from the tourist crowds. The festival grounds are within walking distance of the village center, and from here, Wernigerode with its castle and Halberstadt with its famous cathedral are each reachable in 20 minutes.