Volks- und Schützenfest Clausthal-Zellerfeld

Shooting Tradition since 1523

The Schützengesellschaft Clausthal was founded in 1523, making it one of the oldest documented shooting societies in Germany. Over 500 years of club history testify to an extraordinary continuity that is inextricably linked to the development of the Oberharz mining industry and the mining town of Clausthal. From the outset, the shooting society was an important part of civic self-governance and took on tasks of defense, representation, and festival culture.

Clausthal-Zellerfeld — Mining Town with Shooting Traditions

Clausthal-Zellerfeld consists of the two historical mining towns of Clausthal and Zellerfeld, each with its own shooting society — the Clausthaler Schützengesellschaft von 1523 and the Zellerfelder Schützengesellschaft von 1539. Both clubs organize their own shooting festivals annually, spread throughout the summer and forming central dates in the Oberharz festival calendar.

Three Festival Days at Schützenplatz Clausthal

The Volks- und Schützenfest 2026 spans three days. The dates July 17–19 are confirmed by the shooting society's calendar. The Schützenplatz Clausthal provides the central backdrop for the festival with a festival tent, shooting range, catering, and program areas.

Schützenfest Shooting on July 11th, 2026

One week before the main festival, the Schützenfestschießen takes place on Saturday, July 11th, 2026 — a preliminary event where club members hold their competitions and get in the mood for the festival days. This separation between competition and festival days is a widespread tradition in the shooting world, giving the shooting competitions their own, quieter framework.

Weekend After the Goslar Shooting Festival

The Clausthal shooting festival traditionally follows the Goslar shooting and folk festival, which takes place from July 3rd to 12th, 2026. This deliberate scheduling — Clausthal one week after Goslar — allows marksmen and visitors to attend both festivals and avoids direct competition between the two major events in the region.

Classic Shooting Festival Program

The program follows the classic structure of a North German shooting festival: festive opening evening on Friday, king's shooting, shooting mass, festival parade, and dance evening on Saturday, morning pint, family program, and proclamation of the new shooting king on Sunday. The participation of friendly societies — especially the other Oberharz shooting societies — gives the festival its regional anchoring.