Halloween Dog Parades

Posted by Lauren Barker

If you’re not a fan of the dark and spooky, rest assured that the scariest part of these Halloween dog parades is trying not to die from the adorableness. Whether Fido’s ensemble is cute, comical, clever or creepy, give him the chance to show it off at one of these fabulous pet costume parades this October.

Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade

Long Beach, CA
"Jack, I'm flying!" Photo by @dickiecray

On the opposite side of the country, costumed canines will again be trotting down the red carpet at the Annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade. In SoCal, the dogs are not just hot but haute, and these fashionably elegant furry divas revel in the opportunity to put on their coolest costumes and strut their four-legged stuff. More than 500 preened pooches are expected to walk in the parade this year, with thousands of spectators in attendance.

The 22nd Annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 29 in the grassy area of the former Belmont Park Plaza Pool. Registration for the parade is $10 per dog in advance or $20 on site. The event is free to attend, but front-row seats are available for $5. Haute Dogs will donate thousands of dollars to animal welfare programs from the money raised.

When you bring Fido to Long Beach to debut his Halloween outfit, make a trip of it and book a room at one of the many pet-friendly hotels in the area. If your pup is on the smaller side, treat her to a unique stay aboard The Queen Mary.

Wag-O-Ween

Savannah, GA
Up, Up, and Away! Photo by @thekyarajanet

Dog-friendly Savannah hosts an annual Wag-O-Ween procession and costume contest that’s worth making a weekend trip to the charming coastal city. This adorable event entices two- and four-legged attendees in full Halloween garb to visit dozens of local businesses that hand out treats, not tricks, to costumed pups and their people. Once you’ve had your fill of cuteness at Wag-O-Ween and are ready to up the spookiness, book a pet-friendly ghost tour of one of the most haunted cities in America with Blue Orb Ghost Tours.

Savannah’s Wag-O-Ween will be held on October 21 and 22 from noon. to 5 p.m. Maps & wristbands are sold at Starland Yard and Pulaski Square for $12 per pooch and you’ll receive a goody bag as well. Businesses participating in trick-or-treating will have a bone marker on the door. There will be a prize for the winning costume and a cash-only raffle held during the event. All proceeds benefit local pet rescue agencies.

After stockpiling treats, rest your paws at the Kimpton Brice Hotel downtown. If you’re feeling brave, stay at the haunted Hamilton-Turner Inn on Lafayette Square. Make sure to tag #BringFido if you catch any photos of your pup with a specter.

Salem Main Streets Howl-o-Ween Parade

Salem, MA
“Boooooooo! I have a package for yooooooouuuu.” Photo by Facebook.com/SalemMainStreets

Whether you believe in witchcraft or think it’s all just a bunch of hocus pocus, there’s certainly something special about the thought of celebrating Halloween in the witchy city of Salem, MA. Salem Main Streets will again be hosting its annual Howl-o-ween Parade in partnership with the National Park Service, and participating pups are sure to delight.

The parade will be held on Saturday, October 14 beginning at 11 a.m. on Derby Wharf at Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Participants must register online before the event. The parade is free to attend, but a suggested donation of $5 per Salem resident pet, and $10 per out-of-town pet is encouraged. All proceeds go directly to Salem Main Streets in support of local businesses and community programs.

Extend your time in Salem with a stay at the historic Hawthorne Hotel, which offers Fido a welcome toy, a dog room service menu and even a resident ghost or two to bark at.

Halloween Pooch Party at Cheekwood

Nashville, TN
“My costume? I don’t wanna taco-bout it.”

Nashville goes to the dogs at the annual Halloween Pooch Party at Cheekwood. Haunted hounds can strike a pose while taking a stroll through the picturesque Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. Pups in attendance can participate in one of two costume contests each day including one for Best Bug, in honor of this year’s scarecrow theme.

The Halloween Pooch Parade at Cheekwood will take place on October 21 and 22 at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission to Cheekwood starts at $20 per person. Because this is such a “pup-ular” event, you are strongly encouraged to reserve an entry time in advance. Participation in the parade is included with admittance. There will be no communal water bowls, so please bring your own bowls to refill.

After the festivities, enjoy a pampered weekend at The Hermitage Hotel, a historic pet-friendly and haunted property right in the heart of downtown Nashville. Furry guests enjoy five-bone amenities including a pet bed, walking service and a dog room service menu.

Autumn Alive! Fall Festival and Pet Parade

Quakertown, PA
Dressed up as Marshall, the fire marshal Grand Marshal. Photo by Facebook.com/BucksCoSPCA

Every year, the community of Quakertown hosts the Autumn Alive! Fall Festival and Pet Parade to celebrate the fun and food of the season with all members of the family, including the furry ones. Let Fido show off his costume, compete for prizes, and browse the pet products on display from local vendors. Meanwhile, you can also meet members of rescue organizations, shop for crafts, dine at the food court and enjoy free live entertainment throughout the event. Guests 21 and up can also sample beer, wine and spirits in the beer garden.

The Autumn Alive! Fall Festival and Pet Parade will take place on Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Quakertown, PA. Admission is free, but there is a small entry fee for the pet parade and costume contest.

Extend your visit with a stay at a pet-friendly vacation rental in the area and spend time exploring the Trolley Barn Public Market with Fido.

Howloween Dog Parade

New Canaan, CT
Photo by iStock/Liukov

Dress up and line up for this year’s Howloween Dog Parade in New Canaan. Sponsored by Pet Pantry Warehouse, this fun event will include a costume contest with winners in categories like "So Cute it's Scary," "Bone to be Wild," and "Creepin' it Real.” Top contenders in each category will receive prizes, but everyone in attendance will leave with a smile and a wagging tail. “Spooktators” are encouraged to attend and cheer on their favorite pups along the route.

The Howloween Dog Parade will be held on October 29 from 1:30 to 1:50 p.m. and will begin at the Moreno Clock on Elm Street. The event is free to attend, but guests participating in the parade are encouraged to pre-register.

Book a room at EVEN Hotels Norwalk and spend the weekend enjoying the area’s gorgeous fall foliage at places like Mead Memorial Park and Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens.

West Side Nut Club Fall Festival Pet Parade

Evansville, IN
This is just bananas. Photo by West Side Nut Club

They are absolutely nuts for costumed pups in Indiana. Bring Fido to the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival Pet Parade to see exactly what we mean. The parade, sponsored by Pet Food Center, will feature pets and their youth handlers dressed in costume. Treats will be distributed to all participants, and the costume competition will crown winners from eight different categories like Girl with a Pet, Boy with a Pet and Group with a Pet.

The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival Pet Parade will take place on Saturday, October 7 in downtown Evansville. Participants must arrive at the St. Boniface Catholic Church parking lot at 9 a.m. for line-up and judging, and the parade will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Admission and participation in the parade are free.

The Fall Festival is a weeklong extravaganza in Evansville that draws in more than 200,000 people each year and is considered one of the largest street festivals in the United States. Reserve a nearby pet-friendly vacation rental for the week and don't miss any of the fun!

Howl-o-ween Pet Parade

University City, MO
"Citizens arrest!" Photo by Lauren Barker

Bring your pooch to the Loop at University City for the Howl-o-ween Pet Parade. Dressed-up pups and other pets are welcome to join in the parade which will be followed by trick or treating for children, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and sidewalk sales from local shops. Enter your pet or family in the costume contest for a chance to win spooktacular prizes in categories like Best Duo, Best Group, Best Superhero, Most Fur-ocious, and Best Overall Costume. The event is free to attend, but there is a $5 suggested donation and all proceeds will benefit a local non-profit organization.

The Howl-o-ween Pet Parade takes place on October 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Afterward, take your winnings back to Moonrise Hotel, within walking distance of the Loop, and make a pit stop at Three Dog Bakery for more goodies.

We want to see your pup’s Halloween costume! Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!