Dog-Friendly Events
Discover meetups, festivals, yappy hours, and more happening near you.
Hound Breed Night at Unleashed Hounds and Hops
Breed night honoring Hound breeds, with a prize wheel for Hound owners; all dogs welcome.
Healing Hearts Rescue at White Bear Lake Marketfest – July 16
Healing Hearts Rescue returns to the White Bear Lake Marketfest booth with more adoptable dogs and puppies.
Pups on the Patio at Lucky Dorr – July 16
Bring your pup to Lucky Dorr's dog-friendly patio in Wrigleyville every Thursday evening. Sip local craft beer while your dog socializes with a crowd of friendly four-legged regulars — a relaxed weekly hang for dogs and their humans just steps from Wrigley Field.
PAWS Chicago Beach Party 2026
PAWS Chicago's 22nd annual Beach Party — a summer luau at Offshore Rooftop overlooking Lake Michigan, with festive cocktails, dinner, an open bar, live and silent auctions, raffles and more, all benefiting PAWS Chicago's No-Kill mission. Leashed, up-to-date-on-vaccinations dogs are welcome; guests must be 21+.
2026 Doggie Walk at Lake of the Isles
The Page Education Foundation's annual 3-mile leashed-dog walk around Lake of the Isles, with refreshments, treats, prizes, and doggie photography.
Small Dog Hangout at Brew Park Plymouth
Dedicated off-leash park time for small dogs under 30 lbs at Brew Park Plymouth's indoor dog park and bar — no large dogs present. Admission $12, free for members.
Puppy Yoga (West Town) – July 18
Roll out your mat for an hour of puppy yoga in West Town: a 30-minute gentle flow followed by 30 minutes of unstructured playtime with adoptable puppies. A relaxed, joyful way to start a summer Saturday. $65 per person.
Healing Hearts Adoption Event at Chuck & Don's – Edina
Meet adoptable dogs from Healing Hearts Rescue at Chuck & Don's in Edina. Stop by Saturday, July 18 from 11 AM–1 PM to say hello to foster pups looking for their forever homes, and browse pet supplies while you're there. A great low-key outing for dog lovers and families.
Ruff Start Adoption Event at Frattallone's Hardware & Garden – Circle Pines
Ruff Start Rescue fosters showcase adoptable dogs at Frattallone's Hardware & Garden in Circle Pines — a great chance to meet your next furry family member.
Safe Hands Rescue Meet & Greet at Makwa Coffee
Adoptable puppies and adult dogs from Safe Hands Rescue on the covered patio of Makwa Coffee, an Ojibwe- and queer-owned craft coffee shop in Roseville. Grab a coffee, tea, or pastry while snuggling some pups.
Pups 'N Cups at Montrose Dog Beach
Fun in the sun with your canine companions at Montrose Dog Beach — join a community of dog lovers for good conversation about how to help dogs in need while your pup splashes and plays. Bring your dog and soak up a summer afternoon on the sand.
Pups on the Patio at Steele & Hops Kitchen/Bar
Steele & Hops for a paws-itively adorable event benefiting Ruff Start Rescue! Join us on Sunday, July 19th, from 11 am–1 pm at Steele & Hops Kitchen/Bar for a fun-filled event benefiting animals at Ruff Start Rescue! 🐾 🐶 Meet adoptable rescue dogs looking for their forever homes 🦴 Bring your pup and enjoy brunch on our dog-friendly patio 🎟️ Enter to win dog-themed raffle baskets filled with treats, toys, and accessories 🍖 Treat your furry friend to our special dog brunch menu and dog beers 🍺 Support Ruff Start Rescue through the Community Keg, with proceeds donated to help animals in need Come brunch, sip, and support a great cause! Visit the Facebook Event for more details and to learn about the adoptable dogs attending this event. By attending this event, you acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken for Ruff Start Rescue marketing purposes.
Sit for Shelter Pets 2026
One Tail at a Time's Sit for Shelter Pets is a morning gathering at the Bucktown Adoption Center supporting shelter pets in need. Meet the OTAT team and adoptable animals, learn how you can help, and start your Sunday doing good for Chicago's rescue dogs and cats.
Stillwater Lift Bridge Yappy Hour
Coco's Heart Dog Rescue brings adoptable dogs to the Stillwater Lift Bridge taproom for a Sunday Yappy Hour with an outdoor bar, food trucks, and dog treats. $1/pint and $2/crowler benefit the rescue.
Boxer Night at Saint Bark
Boxers, it's your time to shine! Join Saint Bark for a night of play, socializing, and making new friends with fellow Boxer pups. All breeds are welcome at these breed-specific nights — bring your dog for off-leash fun at St. Paul's indoor/outdoor dog park bar.
Puppy Playtime & Smol Dog Night at Unleashed Hounds and Hops
Two separate ticketed sessions at Unleashed's indoor off-leash dog bar: Puppy Playtime for pups ages 3–6 months (5–6 PM) and Smol Dog Night for dogs under 30 lbs (6–8 PM). Pre-registration required — a supervised way to socialize your little one in the North Loop.
Giant Breed Night at Unleashed Hounds and Hops
Unleashed's weekly Breed Night celebrates Giant Breeds and their humans. Bring in a Giant Breed dog and spin the prize wheel for a chance at prizes. All dogs are welcome at this indoor off-leash dog bar in the North Loop.
Downtown Skokie Pups & Purrs Pet Picnic
A pet-friendly outdoor festival in Downtown Skokie benefiting C.A.R.E. Bring your furry friend for an evening of picnic meals from local restaurants, live entertainment, pet activities, shopping, and giveaways — a fun summer celebration of pets, community, and local businesses.
Healing Hearts Rescue at White Bear Lake Marketfest – July 23
Healing Hearts Rescue booth with adoptable dogs and puppies at the weekly Downtown White Bear Lake Marketfest street festival.
Viking Lakes Bark in the Park
Coco's Heart Dog Rescue's ultimate social event for dog lovers at Viking Lakes in Eagan, featuring live music, a caricature artist, and adoptable dogs.
Second Doggy Pool Party at Brew Park Plymouth
Brew Park's second summer pool party for dogs is back! Bring your pup and a towel — the venue handles the rest. There's no extra charge beyond normal admission (members get in free). Dogs must be registered with current vaccinations to splash around.
Healing Hearts Adoption Event at Brühaven Craft Company
Healing Hearts Rescue brings adoptable dogs and puppies to Brühaven Craft Company in downtown Minneapolis. Come meet your newest family member over a pint — every adoption helps make room for another rescue in need.
Rescue Puppy Yoga at Lively Athletics
A 45-minute all-levels yoga session practiced alongside adorable rescue puppies from Paradise Rescue. Attendees get a sponsor-filled swag bag and 20% off Lively Athletics purchases, plus time to meet and photograph the pups afterward. All proceeds are split between Moyo Village and Paradise Rescue to support their animal rescue missions.
PAWS Chicago Angels with Tails – Roscoe Village
PAWS Chicago's annual Angels with Tails returns to Roscoe Village. Adoptable dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens take over neighborhood storefronts as local rescue groups join PAWS to find homes for pets in need. Free, family- and dog-friendly community adoption event. Stroll the shops, meet adoptable pups, and support Chicago's homeless animals.
Pug Night at Saint Bark
Calling all Pugs! Join Saint Bark for a Breed Night celebrating these lovable, playful companions. All breeds are welcome — a different breed is simply highlighted each time. Bring your pup to the indoor/outdoor dog park bar on Snelling Ave for an evening of play, socializing, and making new furry (and human) friends.
Can Do Canines Open House
Can Do Canines will host an open house on Tuesday, August 18, from 6-8 p.m., at its Can Do Canines campus. Potential clients, volunteers, or anyone who might be interested in supporting the organization is invited to attend to learn how an assistance dog changes the life of a person with a disability. Through a self-guided tour, attendees will be able to watch a trainer working with an assistance dog, hear from a dog host volunteer, talk with representatives from the volunteer department, pose questions to client services coordinators, and meet graduate teams from five types that Can Do Canines trains dogs: hearing, mobility, seizure, diabetes, and childhood autism. Also, the first 75 people in attendance will receive a frozen treat! There is no pre-registration for this event, though attendees will be asked to share some contact information when arriving. Can Do Canines strives to provide accessibility for all attendees. Please email [email protected] if you need an accommodation to attend this event.
Goldzilla
RAGOM’s annual Fun Fair and Walk for Rescue—and one of the BIGGEST Golden Retriever events in America! All money raised supports our mission of rescuing and rehoming Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes of all ages.