Stadtschützenfest Olpe

The largest Schützenfest in the Olpe district

The St. Sebastianus Schützenverein Olpe, with over 5,000 members, is one of the largest shooting associations in Südwestfalen and is organizationally one of the biggest clubs in the entire Sauerland region. The members are divided into nine corporations — an almost military structure that shapes the festival and dates back centuries.

When: Always around the third Sunday in July

The shooting association itself states it clearly: "We always celebrate our Schützenfest around the third Sunday in July." In 2026, this falls on July 17 to 20, 2026: Friday — Festival evening, Saturday — Frühschoppen and Grand Parade, Sunday — King's Mass and King's Ball, Monday — Bird shooting and Proclamation.

Where: Schützenplatz Olpe

The festival has its permanent location: the Schützenplatz Olpe with the adjoining Schützenhalle (shooting hall). The Stadthalle also hosts large balls. Olpe is located on the Biggesee lake, in one of the most scenic parts of the Sauerland.

Four Days of Schützen Calendar

Friday and Saturday — The Kick-off

Friday opens the festival at the Schützenplatz with beer service, club shooting, and a reception for the reigning monarchs. Saturday features the traditional Frühschoppen — a meeting point primarily for older members, old Olpe families, and dignitaries.

Sunday — The Grand Parade

Sunday is the visual highlight: all nine corporations assemble in full uniform, marching with brass bands and the reigning shooting monarch through Olpe's city center. It's an impressive spectacle: hundreds of marksmen in black uniforms and white trousers, sashes, feather plumes, and sabers. This is followed by the King's Mass and King's Ball.

Monday — Bird Shooting and Proclamation

On Monday, the tension rises: the traditional bird shooting. Each corporation fields candidates. Whoever shoots the last remnant of the wooden bird from the pole becomes the new shooting king. The ceremonial proclamation in the Schützenhalle is one of the most emotional moments of the shooting year.

Schützenwesen in Olpe — What does it mean?

The Schützenwesen (shooting fraternity) in Olpe is identity-forming. It combines Catholic tradition (patronage of St. Sebastian, patron saint of archers), civic engagement, and the annual Schützenfest as a city event. In the Olpe district, there are dozens of smaller shooting clubs — the Olpe club is their big brother. Throughout the year, there are shooting and bell-ringing events such as the Sebastianus Mass (January 20), bell ringing (January 19), the Schützenball (January 10), and the barrel drinking (June-July).

Olpe am Biggesee

Olpe is the district capital of the Olpe district in the Sauerland and is picturesquely situated on the Biggesee — one of the largest reservoirs in North Rhine-Westphalia. With around 25,000 inhabitants, Olpe is a medium-sized town with a lively city center. The Stadtschützenfest is the emotional highlight of the year — anyone visiting Olpe in July should experience the festival.