Schützenfest Wiepenkathen – Dance into May

74th Edition – Club Tradition Since Post-War Times

With its 74th edition, the Wiepenkathen Schützenfest looks back on a long tradition rooted in the early post-war period. The Schützenverein Wiepenkathen was founded in 1952 and has since become a firm social focal point of the Stade district.

Dance into May as the Highlight

The musical and social highlight of the festival weekend is the Dance into May on Thursday evening, April 30th. A live band or cover band will ensure a lively atmosphere in the large festival tent until well after midnight. This event is one of the traditional May dance gatherings in the Stade area and attracts dance enthusiasts from neighboring communities as well.

Four-Day Festival Weekend

Following the May Dance night, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will feature the classic Schützenfest program: Assembly and march to the festival grounds, the King's Shoot, a festival parade through Wiepenkathen, the King's proclamation, a festival evening, a morning pint (Frühschoppen), and a family day. The reigning King and Queen of 2025/2026 – Sebastian and Sina Klabunde – will hand over their sashes to the new majesties during the proclamation ceremony.

Wiepenkathen as a District of Stade

Wiepenkathen is located on the southern outskirts of the Hanseatic city of Stade and sees itself as a village-like district with its own club identity. The annual Schützenfest is the highlight of club and social life and makes the district a meeting point for former residents, friendly clubs, and guests from the entire Stade region for a long weekend.