Dog Events in Maryland

When you want to really spoil your dog, or just meet other dog owners in Maryland who are as crazy about their pets as you, there’s no better place to bring Fido than a dog event. Attend any of the dog shows, agility competitions, costume parades, festivals or fundraisers in Maryland on our Dog Events Calendar and you’ll meet hundreds, maybe even thousands, of dog lovers. And since 70% of the events listed benefit humane societies, attending one is a great way to help homeless pets too.

Oct 24

BARCStoberfest

Baltimore, MD

BARCStoberfest

Bring Fido out for a fun-filled day to help raise funds for animals in need! This popular annual event includes the annual "Ready, Set, SNIFF!" 5K Run/Half-Mile Pet Parade, Howl-o-Ween Pet Costume Contest, Barkin' Beer Garden, vendors, kids’ activities, and more!

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Oct 24

Howl-O-Ween Doggie Parade & Costume Contest

College Park, MD

Howl-O-Ween Doggie Parade & Costume Contest

Dress up your pup for a festive costume parade featuring photo opportunities, voting, and prizes. Ebony’s Doggie Treats will serve as master of ceremonies. Check-in and pictures begin at 10:30 AM, followed by the parade, voting, and prizes at 11 AM.

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Oct 24

Barks & Brews Fall Festival

North Bethesda, MD

Barks & Brews Fall Festival

Enjoy a day filled with great food, local flavors, and community spirit at this family- and dog-friendly event. There will be a costume parade and contest for both dogs and people! Savor mouthwatering bites from Bruster's and Hardy’s BBQ, sip craft brews from Lone Oak, or enjoy Maryland-grown wines from Mazzaroth Vineyard while your pup indulges in special treats. As the evening winds down, grab a blanket and settle in for a movie screening under the stars.

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Oct 24

Canines on the Creek

Frederick, MD

Canines on the Creek

A Halloween-themed dog parade and costume contest with vendors, demonstrations, and family-friendly activities along Carroll Creek. The event welcomes leashed dogs and raises funds for Lions Club charities while awarding prizes in multiple costume categories.

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Oct 24

Porchfest Annapolis

Annapolis, MD

Porchfest Annapolis

This community music festival transforms neighborhood porches and outdoor spaces into live performance stages, creating a walkable celebration of local music, art, and connection. Guests and leashed pups can stroll through the area enjoying performances from a variety of musicians and bands while exploring local vendors, food, and neighborhood gathering spots along the way. The rain date is October 25th.

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Oct 24

Dog Costume Contest at El Bufalo Tequila Bar & Kitchen

Baltimore, MD

Dog Costume Contest at El Bufalo Tequila Bar & Kitchen

This dog-friendly event features an annual pet costume contest, with prizes awarded to the top three costumes. Dogs can enjoy treats and pup cups while their humans indulge in brunch and bottomless drink options.

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Oct 24

Oktoberfest at Monument City Brewing Company

Baltimore, MD

Oktoberfest at Monument City Brewing Company

This dog-friendly Oktoberfest celebration features craft beer, German-inspired food from a food truck, an outdoor beer garden, and Bavarian-style contests and games, including stein-holding challenges, relay races, barrel rolling, and a best-dressed competition. Dogs are welcome both indoors and outdoors but must remain leashed.

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Oct 24

Great Baltimore Lantern Parade & Festival

Baltimore, MD

Great Baltimore Lantern Parade & Festival

This family- and dog-friendly festival features glowing floats, handmade lanterns, live music, pop-up performances, a children’s costume contest, lantern-making workshops, an arts and crafts market, and food trucks. Guests can create a lantern and join thousands of community members in the illuminated nighttime parade. The rain date is Sunday, October 25th.

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Oct 25

Tails on the Rails

Baltimore, MD

Tails on the Rails

Come dressed in your best Pups & Pals costumes to the B&O for the biggest puppy playdate of the year! Enjoy an afternoon of amazing vendors and activities under the pavilion, a train excursion to Carroll Park, a costume contest, and a “Yappy Hour” for adults. BARCS and the Maryland SPCA will also be on site. Owners must pre-register their dogs with proof of a rabies vaccine and sign a hold harmless waiver.

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Oct 25

Critter Crawl – Pet Costume Contest at Beer Farm at Homestead Gardens

Davidsonville, MD

Critter Crawl – Pet Costume Contest at Beer Farm at Homestead Gardens

The Homestead Gardens Critter Crawl is a Halloween pet costume contest held during the annual Fall Festival. Dress up your pet and join the festivities while supporting the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.

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Oct 25

Animal Appreciation Day & Pet Parade

Pasadena, MD

Animal Appreciation Day & Pet Parade

Dress up your furry friend for the costumed pet parade. Judges will be awarding prizes for creativity and charm, plus there will be door prizes and contest awards. Enjoy a scenic walk in the park with your pet, tour the historic house and blooming gardens, and discover the local wildlife that calls Hancock’s Resolution home.

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Oct 22–25

Sunfest

Ocean City, MD

Sunfest

A four-day arts, crafts, music and food festival on Ocean City’s south-end boardwalk. Guests can browse hundreds of handcrafted goods, enjoy free entertainment across multiple stages, and take part in interactive activities for all ages—including pet-friendly events.

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Oct 25

Howl-O-Ween

Ocean City, MD

Howl-O-Ween

This dog-friendly Halloween fundraiser invites guests to enjoy an afternoon of fun while meeting adorable, adoptable pets from the Worcester County Humane Society. Activities include a pet costume contest, silent auction and 50/50 raffle, along with food, prizes and opportunities to find a new best friend. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society and support its efforts to help animals in need.

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Oct 31

Annual Dog Days at Sharp's at Waterford Farm

Brookeville, MD

Annual Dog Days at Sharp's at Waterford Farm

This dog-friendly farm event features Halloween trick-or-treating for pups, a chance to learn training tips from a local dog training club, and opportunities to support the Morgan Chapel Pet Food Pantry through donations. Guests can dress their dogs in costume, enjoy a day on the farm, and grab a bite from the on-site food truck. All pets must remain leashed, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after them.

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May 3, Jun 7, Jul 5, Aug 2, Sep 6, Oct 4, Nov 1

First Sunday Arts Festival

Annapolis, MD

First Sunday Arts Festival

Leashed dogs are welcome at this monthly outdoor arts market that closes West Street and Calvert Street in downtown Annapolis for local artists, live music, food, and vendors. The festival runs May through November.

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Nov 13–15

Waterfowl Festival

Easton, MD

Waterfowl Festival

A three-day festival celebrating Eastern Shore wildlife art, conservation, and outdoor traditions with exhibitions, demonstrations, and family activities across downtown Easton. Bring your well-behaved furry friends to the Bay Street Ponds, Sportsman's Pavilion, enter them in the Dock Dogs Competition, Grounds of the VFW, Beer Wetlands and Featured Yappy Hour event, and throughout downtown. Dogs aren't permitted on busses or allowed in any venue that's a community partner with (for example, the High School venue of Buy, Sell, Swap or Artifacts).

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Nov 23

Winter Lights Festival Walk & Wag

Gaithersburg, MD

Winter Lights Festival Walk & Wag

This dog-friendly holiday event invites guests to explore the Winter Lights Festival on foot, choosing a leisurely 1-mile stroll or a more challenging 3-mile walk among hundreds of illuminated displays. Visitors can enjoy a hot drink and take photos with Santa while experiencing the festive lights up close. There will be no onsite sales for Walk & Wag. All tickets must be purchased online in advance. If you want to enjoy the lights from the comfort of your car, the drive-through experience, Winter Lights Festival, begins on November 28th.

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Nov 26

Annual Green Valley Turkey Trot

Owings Mills, MD

Annual Green Valley Turkey Trot

Take Fido for a stroll Thanksgiving morning with both 5-mile and 5K routes throughout the park. Register by noon on Thursday, November 13th, to ensure you get a T-shirt, and your pooch gets a cool Green Valley Turkey Trot bandana. The race begins at 9 AM.

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Nov 26

Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K - Bel Air Trot

Bel Air, MD

Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K - Bel Air Trot

You and Fido are invited to come out on Thanksgiving morning for this fun-filled charity race. Perfect for adults, teenagers, children, and even your pup, the Turkey Trot is a guaranteed way to get a healthy start to your day and do something good for your community. Be sure to register in advance by visiting the event website. Dogs who attend should be well-socialized, well-behaved, on a leash at all times and line up with their owners at the back of the pack. Please remember to clean up after your pup.

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Nov 26

Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K - Arnold Trot

Arnold, MD

Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K - Arnold Trot

You and Fido are invited to come out on Thanksgiving morning for this fun-filled charity race. Perfect for adults, teenagers, children, and even your pup, the Turkey Trot is a guaranteed way to get a healthy start to your day and do something good for your community. Be sure to register in advance by visiting the event website. Dogs who attend should be well-socialized, well-behaved, on a leash at all times and line up with their owners at the back of the pack. Please remember to clean up after your pup.

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