Shooting festival in Heinsberg: tradition, music and a large festival program

Shooting festival in Heinsberg: tradition, music and a large festival program

The anticipation in Heinsberg is increasing! From July 18th to 20th, 2025, the community will celebrate its traditional shooting festival, an event that features community, music and contemplative entertainment. Organized by Hans-Georg Schmidt, known for the Postgrill Schmallenberg, and Stephan Kordes from the Gasthof zu den Linden, the festival features a varied program.

It starts on Friday, July 18th at 4 p.m.: The children's shooting festival will be ushered in with a festive parade. At 5 p.m. the determination of a new child king takes place, followed by a proclamation and a happy children's dance. The evening promises to be a real one with a beer tasting and the performance of the Schützenvogel, which will be accompanied by music from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. DIMO 2.0 will also be on site as a festival for the first time, which is sure to generate enthusiasm. It will also be exciting for the big shooters on Saturday when, after going to church at 10 a.m., there will be bird shooting at 11.45 a.m. and the royal proclamation from 3 p.m.

Traditional bird shooting and large parade

Bird shooting is a central element of the shooting festivals and in Heinsberg it is also carried out in the traditional way: a wooden bird is shot to determine the coming shooting king. The shooter who brings down the last part of the bird is awarded a king's chain, which remains in possession for one year and is expanded annually by another link. This custom has deep roots and is part of German shooting, as evidenced by the expression “He/She shot the bird,” which has its origins in this tradition, as the German Shooting Association explains.

Sunday has another highlight in store with the morning pint concert and awards from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The big parade will take place at 3 p.m., including a speech and wreath-laying at the memorial. Of course, the children's dance and the royal polonaise are on the program before the festival ends with the raising of the flags at 8 p.m. Entertainment until late at night ensures that young and old get their money's worth.

Cultural significance and shared traditions

In many regions, especially in the Rhineland, shooting festivals are more than just a celebration. They are a social exchange and a gathering in the neighborhood. It's not just fun that counts, but also maintaining and preserving local traditions. Short parades, flag waving and the rifle uniform are essential parts of these performances, which are also artistically designed to decorate the individual clubs and their homes.

Judging by the registrations and the commitment that is already visible, visitors can look forward to a happy and atmospheric festival. The clubs and organizers did their best to make this event an unforgettable experience. Stop by and celebrate with us!

For more information you can visit the details LocalPlus, Soester Anzeiger or that German Rifle Association read up.