Name: Sonneberger Vogelschießen 2026 2026
Start: 2026-07-04T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-12T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Schießhausplatz Sonneberg

Sonneberger Vogelschießen

About Sonneberger Vogelschießen

From July 4th to 12th, 2026, the Sonneberger Vogelschießen will once again be one of the oldest and largest folk festivals in Thuringia. For around nine days, the festival grounds at Schießhausplatz will offer amusement rides, a large festival tent, live music, fireworks, and culinary specialties. The highlight is the traditional bird shooting by the Privileged Shooting Society Schießhaus Sonneberg 1851 with the crowning of the king and award ceremony.

Dates 04 Jul — 12 Jul 2026

Venue Sonneberg (16072)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Sonneberger Vogelschießen — edition 2026

The Sonneberger Vogelschießen 2026 runs from July 4th to 12th at Schießhausplatz. Nine days of folk festival with amusement rides, a large festival tent, live music, and DJ sets, food stalls, and shooting galleries. Bird shooting by the Privileged Shooting Society Schießhaus Sonneberg 1851 with crowning of the king and award ceremonies. Fireworks as the grand finale. Free admission.

2026 Season — Nine Days of Folk Festival

The festival grounds at Schießhausplatz are in festival mode for nine days: family entertainment during the day, shooting for everyone, and market activities; in the evening, live music in the festival tent, DJ sets, and the large amusement ride area. The Privileged Shooting Society is organizing shooting competitions, festive parades, and the bird shooting alongside.

Highlights Sonneberger Vogelschießen 2026

One of the oldest folk festivals in Thuringia
9 days of Vogelschießen at Schießhausplatz
Bird shooting by the Privileged Shooting Society Sonneberg 1851
Crowning of the Bird King / Bird Queen
Large festival tent with live bands and DJ sets
Amusement rides, shooting galleries, food stalls
Fireworks to conclude the festival
Free admission

Programme Sonneberger Vogelschießen 2026

Opening

Saturday, July 4th, 2026 — Festive parade, opening ceremony at Schießhausplatz
Barrel tapping in the festival tent

Festival Tent Program (Daily)

Live bands from the region and beyond
DJ sets late at night
Schlager afternoons, rock nights, family programs

Shooting Program

Bird shooting by the Privileged Shooting Society Schießhaus Sonneberg 1851
Crowning of the Bird Queen / Bird King
Shooting for everyone at the open ranges
Readings from the club chronicle (175 years of the Shooting Society)

Festive Finale Highlight

Grand fireworks display at Schießhausplatz
Closing concert in the festival tent

Detailed program and daily stage schedule available on sonneberg.de.

Prices Sonneberger Vogelschießen 2026

Admission to the festival grounds is free. Amusement rides cost €2-6 each, food/drinks in the festival tent and shooting are charged separately. Applications for showmen and vendors via sonneberg.de with a deadline of May 15th, 2026.

Practical information

Practical information — Sonneberger Vogelschießen

Date 2026

July 4th to 12th, 2026 (9 days).

Location

Schießhausplatz, 96515 Sonneberg.

Getting There

Car: A73 exit Sonneberg. Train: Sonneberg Hauptbahnhof, approx. 15 min walk. Park-and-Ride recommended.

Admission

Free. Amusement rides, shooting, and food/drinks in the festival tent are charged separately.

Application as Showman/Vendor

Deadline May 15th, 2026. Apply via sonneberg.de.

Accommodation

Hotels and guesthouses in Sonneberg, Neuhaus am Rennweg, Coburg (15 min).

175 Years of Schießhausgesellschaft Sonneberg

The Sonneberger Vogelschießen is one of the oldest folk festivals in Thuringia and at the same time one of the largest shooting festivals in Southern Thuringia. It is traditionally organized by the Privileged Shooting Society Schießhaus Sonneberg 1851 e. V. in cooperation with the city of Sonneberg. In 2026, the festival runs from July 4th to 12th — nine days of folk festival, shooting tradition, and city life at Schießhausplatz.

Bird Shooting as the Highlight

A characteristic element is the bird shooting: a wooden bird that must be shot down from a high pole by marksmen with rifles. Whoever hits the last splinter becomes the Bird King or Bird Queen. In addition, there is shooting for everyone (open shooting ranges for festival guests), award ceremonies of the shooting society, and daily highlights with a program.

Folk Festival Celebrating 175 Years of Tradition

In addition to the shooting program, the classic folk festival dominates: amusement rides (from Ferris wheel to bumper cars to roller coaster), a large festival tent with live music and DJ sets, food stalls with bratwurst, sweets, gingerbread, candied almonds, shooting galleries, and spectacular fireworks as the crowning glory. The Privileged Shooting Society, founded in 1851 (with roots in the 18th century), preserves its traditional heritage through readings from the club's chronicle and festive ceremonies — a rare combination of modern entertainment and 175 years of shooting identity.

Sonneberg — World Toy City in the Southern Thuringian Slate Mountains

The district town of Sonneberg in the Sonneberg district (state of Thuringia) is known as the historic World Toy City — in the 19th century, about two-thirds of all toys sold worldwide came from Sonneberg and its surroundings. The German Toy Museum documents this history. The Schießhausplatz with the historic Schützenhaus has always been the venue for the city's largest festival. Arrival via A73 exit Sonneberg, train to Sonneberg main station.