Kaarst - Schützenfest

The Kaarst Shooting Festival, organised by the historic St. Sebastianus Shooting Club, transforms the entire town centre into a vibrant festival area over four days, with the large funfair taking centre stage. From Saturday to the following Tuesday, countless visitors flock to the central Town Hall Square, which is transformed into a colourful, atmospheric fair for the whole family for this folk and local festival. Whilst traditions are upheld in the gigantic marquee, the directly adjoining fairground, with its lights, scents and attractions, creates the perfect fair atmosphere and, as a major draw in its own right, attracts young and old alike.

The opening on Saturday is all about the colourful hustle and bustle and the anticipation. Alongside the festive opening of the fair and the official tapping of the keg in the marquee, the rides and fairground stalls really get into full swing. The scent of roasted almonds, toffee floss and savoury fairground specialities fills the air, whilst modern rides provide thrills and classics such as the bumper cars ensure traditional family fun. On Sunday, the hustle and bustle of the fair and tradition blend together perfectly. After the grand royal parade, featuring hundreds of marksmen in their ceremonial uniforms, proud marching bands and magnificent floral horns, has made its way through the city centre, the crowds of spectators head straight to the fairground to round off the afternoon with thrilling rides and visits to the numerous games stalls.

Monday is also all about pure fairground fun, which is wonderfully complemented by the convivial gatherings of the marksmen’s processions in the marquee and the elegant King’s Ball in the evening. Many families and young people make the most of this day for extensive strolls around the fairground. Tuesday finally provides the grand, thrilling finale. Whilst the King’s Shooting competition takes place amid great jubilation at the historic bird pole to determine the new ruler for the coming year, the fairground rides are once again buzzing with activity until late into the evening. It is only with the ceremonial proclamation, the glittering coronation ball in the marquee and the fading of the colourful fairground lights that this four-day folk festival comes to an end late on Tuesday evening.

Travel information:

By public transport:

- by train: Kaarster station (distance 1.9 km)

- by bus: Kirchstraße stop (lines 860, 8601)

By car:

- Venue: Xantener Straße fairground

Parking:

- no information available