Dog Events in North Carolina

When you want to really spoil your dog, or just meet other dog owners in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 17

Humane Society of Charlotte's Annual Ties & Tails Gala

Charlotte, NC

Humane Society of Charlotte's Annual Ties & Tails Gala

This dog-friendly gala is the Humane Society of Charlotte’s signature fundraising event, bringing guests and their well-behaved pups together for an elegant evening supporting pets and the people who care for them. The event features dinner, drinks, good company and plenty of tail wags!

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Oct 17

DuPont Forest Festival

Hendersonville, NC

DuPont Forest Festival

This free, dog-friendly festival celebrates DuPont State Recreational Forest with a variety of outdoor activities for all ages. Guests can enjoy drop-in activities, demonstrations, guided tours and hikes while learning about the forest’s hiking and biking trails, equestrian areas, wildlife and local history from expert volunteers and partner organizations.

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Oct 17

NC Liver Mush Festival: Mush, Music & Mutts

Shelby, NC

NC Liver Mush Festival: Mush, Music & Mutts

Celebrate a Western North Carolina tradition at this lively food festival, where Liver Mush takes center stage in tastings, recipe contests, cookoffs and even an eating contest. Enjoy live music on two stages, shop over 100 craft, food, and beverage vendors, and explore the Foothills Farmers Market. Pet lovers can head to Warren Street for the Pet Festival, featuring costume contests, parades, K9 demos, trick shows, and more, all presented by Roll Over Pets.

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Oct 17

Annual Harvest Foliage Fest at Bold Rock Hard Cider

Mills River, NC

Annual Harvest Foliage Fest at Bold Rock Hard Cider

This dog-friendly fall festival features hot apple cider, apple cider donuts, pumpkin painting, free hayrides, a corn box for kids and local vendors. Guests can also enjoy $2 off Banana Bread Cider and stick around after dark for an outdoor showing of a Halloween movie.

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Oct 17

Apple Harvest Festival

Waynesville, NC

Apple Harvest Festival

Hailed as one of the “10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the Nation," this annual festival is a celebration of the autumn harvest and Haywood County’s agricultural heritage. Visit the famous town of Waynesville, nestled in the NC Smoky Mountains. The downtown streets are filled with almost 200 arts and craft booths, food concessions, music, cloggers, and more. Local apple growers set up on the street to sell delicious mountain grown apples of a vast variety. In addition, many vendors offer apple cider, cake, pies, and other delectable apple goodies! Dogs must be leashed at all times.

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Oct 17

Deerfly Trail Race

Fayetteville, NC

Deerfly Trail Race

A fun race for dogs and their owners featuring timed divisions: Big Dog 11K and Lil Pup 6K. Leashed dogs can run alongside their humans on sandy, pine-forest trails; human-only 6K and 11K divisions are also available.

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Oct 17

Woof-a-Ween: Dog Halloween Party at The Eagle’s Dare

Wilmington, NC

Woof-a-Ween: Dog Halloween Party at The Eagle’s Dare

This dog-friendly Halloween celebration features a canine costume party and contest for pups of all breeds. Guests can bring their leashed dogs dressed in their best costumes and enjoy a festive afternoon of family-friendly fun.

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Oct 17

Animal Welfare League of Wayne County Halloween Pet Costume Contest

Goldsboro, NC

Animal Welfare League of Wayne County Halloween Pet Costume Contest

This dog-friendly Halloween celebration features an in-person pet costume contest with prizes for first, second and third place, plus an online volunteer costume contest with $1 votes benefiting the Animal Welfare League of Wayne County. Guests can also enjoy food trucks, a bake sale, local vendors, a kids’ coloring station and a photo booth.

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Oct 17

APC Annual BOO! Bash Trunk-or-Treat Market

Greensboro, NC

APC Annual BOO! Bash Trunk-or-Treat Market

This dog-friendly Halloween bash features a trunk-or-treat trail with goodies for pets and candy for people, adoptable animals from local rescues, spooky pet portraits, raffle prizes, local vendors and Halloween crafts. Guests are encouraged to dress up their pets and themselves for an afternoon of festive family fun.

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Oct 17

Annual PumpkinFest

Franklin, NC

Annual PumpkinFest

This dog-friendly fall festival features the World Famous Pumpkin Roll, a costume parade and contest for people and dogs, nearly 120 arts, crafts and food vendors, and seasonal activities throughout historic downtown. Guests can bring their pups to join the costume festivities while enjoying local shopping and festival food.

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Oct 17

Miles for Mammos 5K Run/Walk

Jacksonville, NC

Miles for Mammos 5K Run/Walk

Join this flat, fast-paced race featuring a warm-up, a stroller-friendly course and a water station to keep participants hydrated. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to enjoy the event, with finisher medals and post-race snacks waiting at the finish line. Bring your furry friend along and donate $5 for a bandana, courtesy of event partners CureChief!

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Oct 17–18

Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival

Lake Lure, NC

Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival

Leashed dogs are welcome at this annual event featuring wonderful crafters and artisans from across the region selling unique gifts and handmade works of art. There will also be live music and performances, as well as food for purchase. Please visit their website for the most up-to-date information on directions to the area.

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Oct 17–18

Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Show

Maggie Valley, NC

Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Show

This dog-friendly arts and crafts festival brings together artisans from across the Southeast offering handmade treasures, including seasonal items, yard art, paintings, photography, pottery, furniture, jewelry and more. Please ensure Fido is kept on a leash and bring water and waste bags for him. Guests can browse unique creations while enjoying a variety of festival food.

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Oct 18

Happy Holidays Pop-Up Market at Southern Appalachian Brewery

Hendersonville, NC

Happy Holidays Pop-Up Market at Southern Appalachian Brewery

Enjoy holiday shopping from local vendors with Fido! The brewery serves craft beer and wine and there will also be a live music and a food truck on site.

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Oct 18

Discover the Artist Within: Somatic Art & Drawing Workshop

Hendersonville, NC

Discover the Artist Within: Somatic Art & Drawing Workshop

Leashed dogs are welcome along to this calming workshop where participants will explore stress-reducing techniques and guided drawing prompts designed to encourage creative flow and self-expression, with no prior art experience necessary. Featuring locally made crafts and details about real estate in the mountains.

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Oct 18

Celebrate Nature at FENCE

Tryon, NC

Celebrate Nature at FENCE

Leashed dogs are welcome at this community festival that celebrates nature with live music, animal encounters, hands-on nature activities and art demonstrations. Guests of all ages can enjoy an afternoon of exploring, learning and connecting with the outdoors, with snacks and drinks available throughout the event.

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Oct 18

Howl at the Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

Howl at the Hill

Leashed dogs can join a 4K rugged trail run featuring eight dog-friendly obstacles, staggered starts, vendors, prizes, and post-run snacks for people and pups. Costumes are encouraged, and proceeds support public safety working dog programs and the future North Carolina Disaster Dog Training Center.

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Oct 21

Gobble Waddle 5K/10K

Smithfield, NC

Gobble Waddle 5K/10K

Presented by HealthQuest Fitness and Wellness Center, this festive, family-friendly event welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and paces, and leashed dogs! Pups must remain on fixed leashes, and participants are asked to keep the course clean by picking up after their pets. Participants are encouraged to bring at least five canned food items to donate.

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Oct 22

Halloween at the BOOtanical Garden - DOG NIGHT

Fayetteville, NC

Halloween at the BOOtanical Garden - DOG NIGHT

Leashed dogs are welcome this night only for magical displays, candy stations, a costume contest, animations, photo ops, food, beverages, and a vendor market, all in a walk-through, immersive setting. Tickets must be bought in advance, as the event has limited capacity and often sells out.

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Oct 24

Howl-O-Ween Bash at Birdsong Brewing Co.

Charlotte, NC

Howl-O-Ween Bash at Birdsong Brewing Co.

This dog-friendly Halloween fundraiser features gift card raffles, a festive photo area and family-friendly activities. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume with their dogs while enjoying the afternoon, with no costume contest planned. Birdsong Brewing will donate $1 from every pint sold, while raffle proceeds and event donations support North Meck Animal Rescue’s dogs and cats.

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