Wittenberge Schützenfest

One of the oldest Marksmen's Guilds in Brandenburg

The Wittenberge Marksmen's Guild of 1582 is one of the oldest continuously existing marksmen's guilds in the state of Brandenburg — founded in 1582, when Wittenberge was still a market town in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Today, the association preserves traditional marksmanship with modern sporting equipment, organizes the annual Schützenfest, and is one of the oldest civic associations in the city. From June 5th to 7th, 2026, the Schützenfest will take place on the traditional Schützenplatz at Parkstraße in Wittenberge.

Shooting Competitions and Marksmen King

The sporting highlight of the festival are the shooting competitions — precision shooting with sporting small-caliber rifles, competition for the coveted Schützenfest trophy, and of course, the king's shoot, where the new Schützenkönig (Marksmen King) for 2026/2027 will be determined. Additionally, there is a classic shooting gallery for guests — those without experience with sporting firearms can shoot at targets here with air rifles and plastic pellets.

Opening with Honouring the Royal Dignity

On the opening day (Friday, June 5th, 2026), the outgoing Marksmen King is traditionally honored and his reign is bid farewell — the symbolic handover of the king's chain takes place on Sunday after the announcement of the new king. The opening ceremony is accompanied by cannon salvos, which have been part of the Schützenfest tradition for centuries. The shots from the historic cannons mark the festive character and create a unique festival atmosphere.

Folk Festival at the Schützenplatz

Besides the competition, the Schützenfest also has a strong folk festival character: Bratwurst, grilled steaks, beer, and soft drinks are available all day, and in the afternoon, there is coffee and homemade cake with musical accompaniment. In the evening, the stage becomes a dance floor — live bands or DJ sets get the guests moving. The Wittenberge Marksmen's Guild explicitly invites guests from Prignitz, western Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and the surrounding region.

Wittenberge and Marksmanship

Wittenberge, with a population of just over 17,000, is the largest town in the Prignitz district in the state of Brandenburg. Marksmen's guilds have been among the oldest civic associations in Northern Germany since the 16th century — they initially organized for city defense, later as social clubs preserving the tradition of marksmanship. The Wittenberge Marksmen's Guild 1582 e.V. is one of the most traditional of its kind and, alongside the Elbe Bath Day and the Harbor Festival, is one of the most important anchors in the city's annual festival calendar.