Volks- und Schützenfest Betzdorf
158th Volks- und Schützenfest of SV Betzdorf 1868 e.V. on the second weekend of September — one of the oldest Schützenfeste in the region
2026
About Schützenfest Betzdorf
Schützenfest Betzdorf — edition 2026
Program 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in spring/summer. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years:
- Fri 11.09. — Marquee opening and kickoff evening
- Sat 12.09. — Parade, bird shooting, marquee evening with live music
- Sun 13.09. — Festival service, King's coronation, folk festival afternoon
- Mon 14.09. — Morning pint (Frühschoppen), folk festival family day, marquee closing
- All four days — Funfair (Kirmes) with amusement rides and stalls
Highlights Schützenfest Betzdorf 2026
- Anticipated 158th edition — one of the oldest shooting festivals in the region
- SV Betzdorf 1868 e.V. — over 150 years of club history
- Parade, bird shooting, King's coronation
- Four festival days at Betzdorf fairground
- Funfair (Kirmes) with amusement rides, marquee evenings with live music
Programme Schützenfest Betzdorf 2026
Schedule of the Four Festival Days
Friday 11.09. — Opening
Opening evening with marquee inauguration, welcome of honored guests by the board of SV Betzdorf 1868 e.V. First marquee event with live music or DJ set, catering, and the start of the funfair (Kirmes) rides.
Saturday 12.09. — Parade and Bird Shooting
In the morning, a parade through the town center with members of the shooting club in full uniform, friendly clubs, a brass band, and honored guests. In the afternoon, bird shooting (Vogelschießen) at the shooting range — the exciting determination of the new shooting king. In the evening, a grand marquee program with live music until late at night.
Sunday 13.09. — King's Coronation
In the morning, a festival service, followed by the coronation of the new shooting king and his queen with the ceremonial handover of the king's chain. In the afternoon, a folk festival program for families, marquee operations. In the evening, a marquee program with dancing and live music.
Monday 14.09. — Winding Down
Morning pint (Frühschoppen) at the fairground with beer service and sausages. Folk festival family day with special offers on amusement rides, reduced prices for families. Marquee closing late in the evening, farewell to the shooting fraternity.
The detailed program for 2026 will be published shortly before the event on the SV Betzdorf website: sv-betzdorf.de.
Prices Schützenfest Betzdorf 2026
Practical information — Schützenfest Betzdorf
Dates
Friday to Monday, September 11th to 14th, 2026.
Location
Festplatz Betzdorf, 57518 Betzdorf.
Admission
Free entry to the fairground. Marquee evenings and special program items may charge an admission fee.
Getting There
By train via the Sieg line (RB 90) to Betzdorf. By car via the A 45 (exit Freudenberg, then B 62).
Tips
Check for advance ticket sales for the marquee evenings. Families benefit from the afternoon hours with the funfair (Kirmes).
SV Betzdorf 1868 e.V. — Over 150 Years of Tradition
The Schützenverein Betzdorf 1868 e.V. was founded in 1868, making it one of the oldest shooting clubs (Schützenverein) in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate. For over 150 years of club history, it has preserved the shooting tradition (Schützenbrauchtum) in the Sieg town of Betzdorf and has become a central cultural player in the town. The annual Volks- und Schützenfest on the second weekend of September is its most important social event.
158th Edition 2026
With the anticipated 158th edition in 2026 (following 157 editions up to 2025), the Volks- und Schützenfest Betzdorf is one of the longest continuously held folk festivals in the region. The number of editions roughly corresponds to the club's history — the few gaps are due to wartime and crisis situations when the festival had to be paused.
Four Festival Days at Betzdorf Fairground
The festival spans four days, from Friday to Monday. The Betzdorf fairground is completely set up for the event: a festival marquee, shooting range area, amusement rides, and catering stands share the space. Friday evening marks the opening with the marquee inauguration, Saturday brings the main program, Sunday features the highlight with the King's coronation and parade, and Monday is for winding down.
Shooting Traditions and King's Coronation
The focus of the festival is on shooting traditions (Schützenbrauchtum) with its centuries-old rituals. The bird shooting (Vogelschießen) — determining the new shooting king by shooting at a suspended wooden bird — forms the competitive highlight. The King's coronation, with the handover of the king's chain to the new dignitary and his queen, follows ceremonially. The parade with marksmen in full uniform, banners, a brass band, and honored guests marches through the town center.
Motto 2025 'Everyone is Welcome'
The 2025 season motto was 'Everyone is Welcome,' underscoring the club's open, inclusive character. The motto for 2026 is not yet known at the time of printing this text but is likely to continue the same spirit of openness and inclusion.
Folk Festival and Marquee Evenings
Parallel to the shooting traditions, the folk festival (Volksfest) element shapes the fairground: amusement rides for adults and children, shooting galleries, sweet and snack stalls, punch and beer stands make the festival an attraction for families. The marquee evenings with live music or DJ sets bring the younger generation to the fairground.
Where it takes place Schützenfest Betzdorf
Schützenfest Betzdorf at a glance
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .