Halloween is just around the corner, and to celebrate we’ve fetched news of a few of the most frightfully fun Halloween dog parades and dog-friendly festivities across the country that you and your dog can enjoy together! Do you know of a Halloween event for real party animals that’s not on the list? Let us know in the comments below!
California
Bully Boo! Walk
When: October 20 from 8 a.m. – noon
Where: Woodward Park at 7775 North Friant Road in Fresno
You and your costume-clad canine (all breeds welcome) can participate in a two-mile constitutional for a good cause– helping Pitties in need!
After the Halloween-themed hike, your tail-wagging chum can trick-or-treat at an array of vendor BOOths, pose for posterity in a photo booth, and show off his/her spooky sense of style in a celebrity-judged costume contest! Shorty Rossi of “Pit Boss” fame will be the event’s special guest.
Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade
When: October 27 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Marina Vista Park at 5355 E. Eliot Street in Long Beach
Known as the world’s largest Halloween event for our four-legged friends, more than 450 Fidos dressed in spook-tacular style will promenade along the Halloween dog parade route, with the day’s ‘top dogs’ winning prizes for their apparel.
Pet parents who step out with Spot in Halloween attire can also aspire to win a prize. The real winners of this Halloween happening with heart, however, will be the adorable adoptables at the pet adoption fair, as well as Operation Santa Paws and the various spay/neuter programs and rescue groups that will receive funds raised at the event!
Colorado
Fright Fest Pet Parade
When: October 12
Where: Elitch Gardens in Denver
Celebrating its 21st year, the promenade of costumed dogs lets Fido get in on some of the park’s annual Fright Fest fun! Canines can compete in the categories of Funniest, Most Original and Best Pet/Owner Combination Costumes, with all of the event’s registration proceeds benefiting PawsCO.
Florida
Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk-A-Thon and Canine Costume Contest
When: October 26 from 9 a.m. – noon
Where: Secret Lake Park in Casselberry
Enjoy a constitutional with your costume-clad canine companion and help a paws cause in the process!
All of the proceeds from the promenade in the park and a parade of Halloween puppy apparel benefit Franklin’s Friends, and all volunteer non-profit which offers aid to local nonprofits and government agencies which work in areas of shelter/rescue, spay/neuter or educating the public on animal issues.
Georgia
Spooky Walk-N-Wag Dog Walk and Costume Parade
When: October 20 at 11:15 a.m.
Where: Six Flags over Georgia
The popular amusement park has resurrected its annual Fright Fest’s Fido-centric Halloween fete for 2019!
Costume-clad canines (and our barking buddies who just want to wear their birthday suit) can promenade along a one-mile course in the park, with stops to take sips of water if necessary from water bowls set up at stations and to pose for photos with their families.
Next, dogs in disguises can try to win prizes when they gather on one of the back roads behind the park for the Dog Halloween Costume Parade. A paw-ty with a higher purpose, to take part pet parents should donate a five pound bag of dog food, which will be presented to PAWS Atlanta.
Illinois
Chicago Botanical Garden Spooky Pooch Parade
When: October 13 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe
Pups in cute costumes will look pretty as a petal as they promenade past the floral finery at the Chicago Botanical Garden (or should that be the Chicago BOOtanical Garden?) during the Spooky Pooch Parade!
The annual treat for our tail-wagging chums also includes costume contests with categories such as Best Horticultural Interpretation, Best Puppy in Costume and Best Senior in Costume, and vendor booths brimming with pet-related products.
Massachusetts
Canine Promenade
When: TBA
Where: Charles River Esplanade on Fielder Field in Boston
Raising awareness of park improvements while raising people’s spirits, our barking buddies from the Boston area will stroll a 1/2 mile in spooky style with their Daddy (or Mummy!) by their side…and dogs who don a disguise could win a prize, with awards handed out for Best Costume and Best Duet (person and pet).
The afternoon will also include demonstrations, activities, giveaways and gift bags and treats presented to all the participating pups.
New York
Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade
When: October 19 from noon – 3 p.m.
Where: East River Park Amphitheater, New York City
Pet parents in The Big Apple can show off their four-legged ‘little pumpkins’ at an annual event that many consider to be the largest dog costume parade in the world!
Howl-O-Ween Bark Block Party
When: October 20 from noon – 5 p.m.
Where: Entire block around Sean Casey Animal Rescue in New York City
Celebrating 12 frightfully fun years, this boo bash will feature dogs in disguises trying to win prizes and adorable adoptables hoping to win the heart of a forever pet parent! The event, which will also include a Doggie Kissing Booth, face painting for animal-loving little ones, live performances and raffle prizes, will benefit the companion animals in the care of Sean Casey Animal Rescue.
Texas
Cedar Bark Festival
When: October 12, noon- 2:30
Where: Veterans Memorial Park at 2525 West New Hope Drive in Cedar Park
The free day of play in the park for a higher purpose includes a costume contest, a Pet/Owner Look Alike Contest, vendors, and more. A happening with heart, contributions including monetary donations, blankets, large towels, canned pet food, dog treats, kitten formula, heating pads and strong dog toys will be collected at the event’s information booth for The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.
Proceeds from the Cedar Bark Festival will benefit the volunteer organization Friends of Cedar Bark Park, which improves the outdoor venue though donations, service project and maintenance.
Pet-Toberfest
When: October 19 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: The Domain in Austin
Let your pal with paws unleash their inner pop (or should that be ¨pup¨?) culture icon as they vie for a prize in the canine costume contest category of Best Super Hero, Best Movie Character, Best TV Character or Best Musical Talent!
The free day of play will also include souvenir snapshots at a photo booth, shopping for pet-inspired merchandise at an array of vendor booths, lure chasing, Flyball, the Austin K9 Unit showing off their skills, adorable adoptables from area rescue organizations, and much more!
Howl-o-Ween Fest
When: October 26 from 10- a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Josey Lake in Bridgeland
Celebrating its 11th year, this tail-wagging good time is a real treat for our our barking buddies! Pets and their parents can applaud the abilities of the Houston Disc Dogs & Diving show, while clothes conscious canines can step into the spotlight in their Halloween-themed attire during the pooch fashion show and costume contest.
Pint-sized devotees of pups can go trick-or-treating, hop around on bounce houses and get their face painted, and Dad and Mom can mull over merchandise at vendor stalls brimming with pet-related products.
Those looking to add a new member to their fur family can meet adorable adoptables from area rescue groups, which will receive all of the proceeds raised from Howl-o-Ween Fest.
Barktoberfest
When: October 26 from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where: The Lakeville Pavilion at Old Settler’s Park, 3300 East Palm Valley Boulevard in Round Rock
Benefiting Central Texas SPCA, Spots who want to get into the spirit of the spooky season can participate in a Halloween costume contest for canines. The day of play will also include vendor booths brimming with canine-themed merchandise, a silent auction, and much more.
Bow Wow Trick or Treat Festival
When: October 26 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Hewlett Park in Granbury
Certain to be a real scream, Rovers in their Halloween wardrobe can go trick-or-treating and proudly display their disguises in a costume contest!
Adorable adoptables will also be in attendance, hoping to receive the treat of a lifetime– a forever home! A happening with a higher purpose, proceeds from the event will benefit HALO (Hood County Animal Lovers Association.)
Halloween Dog Parade & Costume Contest
When: October 27 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: City of Bee Cave Central Park at 13742 Bee Cave Parkway in Bee Cave
Travis County tail-waggers can step into trick-or-treat attire for the chance to win a prize in the costume contest, and they can show off their boo-tiful Halloween get-ups when they stroll along their their pet parents during the dog parade.
Washington
Halloween Pet Parade in Volunteer Park
When: October 20, 2019 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: 1247 15th Avenue East in Seattle
Spot can strut in spook-tacular style as a one-man band leads the roundup of reveling Rovers and their proud pet parents along the designated parade route.
At the end of the parade pups can promenade in front of judges for the chance to be top dog in one of the costume competition’s many categories, which include Best Celebrity Pet, Most Creative, Best Stuffed Animal, Best Pet/Pet Parent Combo, Spookiest Pet and Best Dressed.
Leave a Reply