Soester Bürgerschützenfest

Marksmen Tradition in the Westphalian Hanseatic City

The Hanseatic city of Soest, with its green and red sandstone churches, its completely preserved medieval city center, and the world's largest concentration of Romanesque buildings, is one of Westphalia's most beautiful cities. In summer, it becomes the stage for one of the region's most traditional Schützenfeste: the Soester Bürgerschützenfest, organized by the Bürger-Schützen-Verein Soest e.V. The date is the last full weekend in June — the Johanni weekend, named after the feast day of John the Baptist on June 24th.

'Wippen' into the Great Pond

A Soest peculiarity found nowhere else: the 'Wippen in den Großen Teich'. In the week leading up to the Bürgerschützenfest, established marksmen gather at the romantic Great Pond in the old town and ceremoniously 'whip' new members into the cool water — a humorous initiation ritual that attracts thousands of onlookers, even those without ties to the marksmen's guild. The event has long become a tourist magnet and a typical photo opportunity for the Soest marksmen season.

Parade, King's Balls, and Funfair

The actual Bürgerschützenfest spans several days around Saturday, June 27, 2026. The grand parade through the old town with all companies of the Bürger-Schützen-Verein, accompanied by music bands and drum corps, is the traditional highlight. Beforehand, there is the assembly of the companies, the 'Vogelschuss' (bird shooting) to elect new monarchs, a festive mass, the King's Ball in the Soest festival tent, and of course, a funfair with carousels, food stalls, and beer stands.

2026: Bürgerschützenfest Meets Christopher Street Day

A special constellation marks 2026: The Soester Bürgerschützenfest falls on June 27th, coinciding with the Soester Christopher Street Day (CSD). While the marksmen march in uniform through the old town, the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates its Pride Day in the same city — a situation that is met with a wink and mutual respect in Soest. Both events converge, both communities celebrate, and the Soest old town experiences a memorable Saturday in June.