Wolfenbüttel Civic and Marksmen's Festival

Oldest Marksmen's Festival in the Lessing City

The Schützengesellschaft Wolfenbüttel von 1601 e.V. looks back on over four hundred years of tradition and annually hosts the Civic and Marksmen's Festival on the representative Schlossplatz. The location in front of the baroque Wolfenbüttel Castle lends the event a special atmosphere: where the Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg once resided, citizens now gather for shooting, celebrating, and socializing.

Civic Marksmanship with Popular Appeal

The highlight is the Volkskönigsschießen (folk king shooting), in which not only club members but all interested citizens can participate. This democratic opening of the royal right distinguishes the Wolfenbüttel festival from many other marksmen's events and makes it a true civic festival. In addition, the program offers musical entertainment on Saturday evening, a family day with children's carousels and games, and the popular Bürger- und Schützenfrühstück (civic and marksmen's breakfast) on Sunday morning.

Dates and Highlights

The actual festival week in September is preceded by the proclamation of the new majesties on May 15, 2026, in the Stadtmarkt. On this day, the marksmen kings determined in the previous year are officially announced, and the town hall administration remains closed for this occasion. In September, four exuberant festival days follow, featuring shooting competitions, live music, and a family program – a highlight in the Wolfenbüttel event calendar that celebrates the connection between tradition and joie de vivre in a unique way.