Schützenfest Wewer

Westphalian Tradition in the Paderborn District of Wewer

If you are in Paderborn in mid-May, the marksmen's festival of the Paderborn district of Wewer is one of the most authentic Westphalian traditional events. The district is located about 6 km west of Paderborn city center and, with its moated castle Schloss Wewer and the baroque parish church St. Johannes der Täufer, is a historical anchor of the Archdiocese of Paderborn. The marksmen's festival has been organized by the St.-Johannes- und St.-Hubertus-Schützenbruderschaft since 1910 – a brotherhood with double patronage, honoring both the parish patron John the Baptist and the hunting patron Hubertus.

Four Days of Schützenfest – The Program

The festival days in 2026 run from Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 18. Friday evening marks the festive opening at 7 PM – welcome of the marksmen brothers, assembly of the flag escorts, opening dance in the marquee. On Saturday, the traditional king's shoot takes place: on the Wewer shooting grounds, candidates compete for the royal title, and the most accurate shooter becomes the new king of the brotherhood. In the evening, a grand festival ball with a dance band.

Parade on Sunday

Sunday is the main festival day. After the morning festive mass in the parish church of St. Johannes der Täufer, the grand parade through Wewer begins at 2:30 PM. Marksmen in historical uniforms, flag escorts, marching bands, music clubs from the Paderborn region, and the royal couple with their retinue march through the village center. The procession attracts hundreds of spectators from Wewer, Paderborn, and the entire Paderborn Hochstift. Afterwards, a classic marksmen's festival program in the marquee: lively music, cold and hot buffets, dance music until late at night.

Marksmen's Breakfast on Monday

Monday starts at 9 AM with the traditional marksmen's breakfast – beer, fried eggs, ham, cheese, and farmer's bread, all directly from Westphalian cuisine. The marksmen's breakfast is the cozy conclusion, where the brotherhood reviews the festival weekend and new members are honored. In the evening, a final celebration with dancing and the announcement of the new king.

In the Context of Paderborn's Marksmen Tradition

The marksmen's brotherhoods are particularly strongly rooted in Ostwestfalen-Lippe and the Archdiocese of Paderborn. In Paderborn alone, there are dozens of brotherhoods, some of whose roots go back to medieval citizen militias. The Wewer brotherhood, founded in 1910, now unites several hundred active members. Their mission: to foster church and social life, promote shooting sports, preserve traditions, and ensure social cohesion in the village.

Schloss Wewer as a Landmark

Before or after the marksmen's festival, a visit to Schloss Wewer, one of Westphalia's most beautiful moated castles (now a venue), as well as the baroque parish church, is worthwhile. Wewer belongs to the Paderborn district and is conveniently located on Federal Highway 64 between Paderborn and Salzkotten.