Dog Events in Normal, IL

Dogs are welcome to join guests at this 21+ cider tasting event featuring a wide selection of local, regional, and national ciders. Sample seasonal and traditional styles while enjoying fall flavors and a festive atmosphere, with food available for purchase, including gluten-free options. Tickets include cider tastings and a commemorative tasting glass.

Leashed dogs are welcome to join this family-friendly 5K walk and charity run! Participants can enjoy a morning of movement and community with live music, food trucks, sweet treats, balloon twisting, and an animal artist. Strollers are also welcome, making this a fun event for the whole family.

This puppy training workshop teaches the foundational skills young dogs need to become confident, well-mannered companions. Participants will learn essential commands, positive reinforcement techniques, puppy socialization guidance and strategies for addressing common behaviors, with hands-on practice and a Q&A led by a Pup Social trainer. Attendees also receive 15% off future training packages purchased the day of the workshop.

This dog-friendly meetup brings together pet influencers, aspiring creators, photographers and dog lovers for an afternoon of networking, content creation and supervised off-leash play. Attendees can connect with other dog accounts, exchange ideas, capture photos and videos and explore collaboration opportunities. All experience levels are welcome.

This dog-friendly Oktoberfest celebration features an indoor off-leash dog park with multiple play areas, German-style food, beer, wine, raffles and goody bags. Guests can enjoy fun dog contests, including ice cream eating, “beer” drinking, musical sits and longest sit competitions, along with pet caricatures. All proceeds benefit MCP Chicago, a local animal rescue and outreach organization. Dogs must be fully vaccinated, social and comfortable playing off leash.

Bring Fido out to this weekend event for the entire family! There will be live music, activities, and, of course, Oktoberfest food and drinks.

Participants are invited to walk their leashed dogs along a designated route, dressed in fun costumes or themed attire, while spectators cheer and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The event includes photo opportunities, vendor booths, and activities for all ages! The first 125 registrants are guaranteed a spot in the parade and will have the chance to compete for titles including Biggest Dog, Smallest Dog, Best Costume, Twinsies (Owner & Dog), Most Energetic, and Fan Favorite.

Pups are welcome to enjoy roaming the 16 miles of hiking trails around the Arboretum several times a year on select days! Dogs must be leashed at all times and have updated vaccinations and registrations. For the safety of both your pet and the natural environment, dogs aren't permitted off the marked trails. Please clean up after your pet; bags are available at the Visitor Center.

This dog-friendly Halloween celebration features a pet costume contest with prizes, a trick-or-treat path, pumpkin painting, paw painting, dog games and an agility course. Dogs must be leashed, at least 6 months old, healthy and current on vaccinations, including rabies. There's a limit of two dogs per person.

This beloved fall tradition is one of northern Illinois’ largest and longest-running festivals, drawing over 85,000 visitors each year. While pets are more than welcome to attend, keep in mind that not all businesses permit dogs inside. Be sure to ask before entering with Fido. The weekend will feature over 375 vendors offering crafts, antiques and food. On Sunday, the famous Burgoo Stew is served starting at 9 AM.

Dress Fido in his best costume for this fun, family-friendly Halloween event complete with a canine costume contest and prizes! Pre-registration is required. The event will be held rain or shine.

This dog-friendly Halloween 5K features a scenic paved route and supports K9s for Veterans. Registration includes a short-sleeve T-shirt, finisher medal, doggie finisher medallion, chip-timed race bib, live results and finish-line treats for both humans and dogs.

Mondays from March through October are special days for dog lovers to explore the park’s beautiful gardens and grounds with their canine companions. Dogs must be friendly, well-socialized, and kept on a leash at all times, and owners should bring proof of up-to-date vaccinations. While pups are welcome outdoors, they aren't permitted inside buildings, and visitors are asked to clean up after their dogs using the provided sanitation stations. A $6 parking fee applies. Note that Monday holidays are excluded from Paws in the Park days.

Enjoy the beautiful outdoor scenery of the Illinois Valley and your favorite August Hill & ISC wines while hanging out on our spacious hillside. Wine flights, wine by the bottle and a snack picnic box will all be available.

This Halloween celebration features a pet parade, puppy photo-op, costume contest and pet-friendly vendors. Guests can also enjoy refreshments for purchase and plenty of festive Halloween fun for pets and their people.

Bring Fido to Chicago’s premier pet-friendly black tie gala! Set at the legendary Drake Hotel, guests and their canine companions walk the red carpet, participate in live and silent auctions, and enjoy a dinner buffet and dancing. Four-legged guests will enjoy an evening of indulgences as well, including dinner served in crystal goblets at the dog buffet. Human guests be 21+ to attend the event.

This Thanksgiving-themed, dog-friendly 5K features a scenic course along the Danada Trail and welcomes runners and walkers of all levels and their leashed pups. Participants receive a chip-timed race entry, turkey-themed finisher medal, soft cotton T-shirt, age-group awards and free photos.

Celebrate the holiday season with your pup and the Live Like Roo Foundation at this dog-friendly Holiday Pet Market featuring local vendors, holiday cocktails and coffee, photos with Santa, caricatures, and festive photo opportunities. Bring your pup to shop, socialize and enjoy a day of seasonal fun with fellow pet lovers.

Leashed pups are welcome to join you in browsing these mesmerizing exhibitions, featuring immersive, large-scale installations that bring the wonder of flight to life. This interactive experience showcases inflatable artworks, light projections, and floating sculptures designed by international artists. Please note that as per Balloon Museum policies: dogs must be leashed at all times and aren't permitted in the ball pit.; medium-large sized dogs must be muzzled; the interactive space may be overwhelming for your pet, as it includes strobe lights, sounds, vibrations, and balloons popping as part of the experience. Make sure your pet will feel comfortable in this environment before bringing him along.

Puppy Hour is a fun, free weekly playtime for puppies and their owners at Central Bark.