Who cares what you’re dressing up as for Halloween? The real question is what costume is your dog wearing? Canine-friendly Halloween events are found all over the D.C. area, at block parties, beer gardens and swank hotels. Here are a few where humans might have as much fun as their canine companions. (Check individual event websites for leash requirements and other details.)
Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
Take your furry friend on a tour of 25 acres of Marjorie Merriweather Post’s gardens during Hillwood’s annual Halloween party. Tickets include access to the grounds for a human and one or two dogs, as well as entry to the costume contest, which includes such categories as most glamorous and best homemade costume. Themed cocktails and dog treats are available for purchase. Oct. 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. $13 adult; $5 ages 6 to 18; free for 5 and younger.
Howl-o-ween 17th Street Block Party
A few days before the annual High Heel Race, Dupont Circle’s 17th Street NW community comes together for this celebration next to Stead Park. The afternoon starts with a “Little Goblins” family parade with trick-or-treating on 17th Street. Then there’s a pair of pet costume fashion shows at 2:30 and 5 p.m., hosted by drag queen Evita Peroxide, and between contests, a drag show. Check out the beverage garden and snacks from local restaurants, a pop-up market and a meet-and-greet with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and Wiggles Way Rescue. Oct. 24 from noon to 7 p.m. Free; registration required for pet costume contests.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Contest at Dacha Navy Yard
Dogs walk the runway at Dacha’s annual Howl-O-Ween, a fundraiser for City Dogs and City Kitties Rescue. Unlike many other parties, there’s no judging panel at the Navy Yard beer garden — the audience decides which dogs have the funniest, scariest or best overall costumes. Browse vendors, sip cocktails for charity or take a photo in the photo booth. Oct. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. $12.51; $33.85 for admission and entry into the dog costume contest.
Dog-O-Ween at Shipgarten
A costume contest is only one of the attractions at Shipgarten in McLean: The “Doggy Games” at the beer garden’s fenced, off-leash dog park includes competitions for the best trick and the biggest and smallest pups, as well as an obstacle course designed for owners and dogs. The day also includes food and drink specials, dog-friendly vendors, outdoor grill stations and DJs. Oct. 24 from noon to 3 p.m. Free.
Barks and Brews at Pike District
The Barks and Brews festival is held in the Pike District’s Pop-Up Park, located a block from the North Bethesda Metro Station. People and dogs can participate in a costume parade, with prizes for the best outfits. There’s also barbecue from Hardy’s BBQ, ice cream from Bruster’s and a beverage garden with Maryland’s Lone Oak beer and wine from Mazzaroth Vineyards. Stick around for a screening of “The Haunted Mansion” at sunset. Oct. 24 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free.
Cafe du Paws Halloween Happy Hour at the Willard
The courtyard of the Willard Hotel’s Cafe du Parc transforms into “Cafe du Paws” for a Sunday afternoon lunch with Halloween-themed treats. The dog costume contest includes such prizes as overnight stays and a spa day at the Willard, though every dog takes home a gift bag. A portion of each ticket benefits the Humane Rescue Alliance. Oct. 25 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free for humans; $25 per dog.
Howl-o-ween Market and costume contest at Atlas Brew Works
From a family-friendly festival to an evening of arts and crafts inspired by the costumed heavy metal band GWAR, Atlas’ Anacostia taproom is full of fall events in coming days. This one, hosted by DMV Gay Dog Moms on the brewery’s patio, features a dog costume contest, a market with items from LGBTQ-owned businesses, giveaways and raffles. Oct. 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
Halloween Dog Costume Contest at Electric Cool-Aid
Shaw’s Electric Cool-Aid doesn’t have in an indoor area, so the popular cocktail garden is getting ready to close for the cold months. But before that, the bar is hosting its first dog costume contest, with prizes for best costume, spookiest outfit and crowd favorite. Pooches should be registered in advance; Humans must answer questions such as “Dog age (human years)” and “Briefly describe your dog’s personality.” Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Free.
Doggy Style’s Howl-O-Ween Doggy Costume Pawty at Aslin DC
DuPont’s Doggy Style bakery and boutique is the host of this party at Aslin’s 14th Street beer garden. Prizes will be awarded for best trick, best human-dog costume combo, cutest pooch and most flamboyant pup. Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free.
Howl-O-Ween at the Fairmont Hotel
For 15 years, the Fairmont Hotel’s canine Halloween party has been one of the best in town. All four-legged guests receive peanut butter dog treats, made by the hotel’s pastry chef, and free drinks, while humans can purchase Halloween-themed cocktails and snacks. Prizes are awarded in such categories as most adorable and most creative. Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free.
Pet Costume Contest at Juneberry Garage
Bring your costumed pooch to Juneberry Garage’s happy hour to enter a competition sponsored by Livewell Animal Hospital at the Parks. There will be pup cups and giveaways, but prizes will be selected through an online vote. Oct. 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free.
Wisconsin Avenue Woof Walk
Georgetown’s dog-friendly version of a bar crawl finds owners and costumed canines visiting shops up and down Wisconsin Avenue. Participants check in at Milo and Mav, a coffee shop and dog boutique at 32nd and N streets NW, before heading out to collect treats from businesses in the neighborhood. The costume contest, at 1 p.m., awards prizes for the best overall, most creative and best human-dog duo. Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free for humans; $28.45 per dog.
Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest at Lincoln Park
Capitol Hill pet boutique Howl to the Chief is behind this annual gathering and costume contest at Lincoln Park. There are five categories, including scariest costume and best family or group. (Participants can preregister, but it’s not required to attend.) Registration begins at noon, and the first 150 arrivals receive free swag bags. Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free.
Halloween dog costume brunch at Osteria Morini
Start planning your dog’s costume now, because a $300 Osteria Morini gift card is up for grabs in the Navy Yard restaurant’s contest. Bring your dressed-up pup to brunch at the riverside patio, and when a human spends $25 on food and drinks — say, fluffy Nutella pancakes or focaccia benedict — their dog will be photographed and entered. The winner will be announced on the restaurant’s Instagram page later in the day. Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $25 minimum for contest entry.
Dogoween at Dog Daze Social Club
Logan Circle’s Dog Daze Social Club welcomes dogs to play on its turf patio every day, but its Dogoween party is especially popular: All tickets for Friday are gone, as are reservations for Saturday’s 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. time slot. Bring your four-legged night owl on Saturday starting at 8:15 p.m. for a costume contest with prizes, plus pizza and drinks for people. All dogs must be in costume and registered with Dog Daze before arrival. Oct. 31 from 8:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free for humans; $15 garden pass for dogs.
Patio Pups Costume Contest at the Pub and the People
Happy hour runs seven days a week at the Pub and the People in Bloomingdale, so people can enjoy $6 beers or rail drinks while hanging out with costumed dogs on the neighborhood bar’s patio. Judging takes place from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., with gift cards for the two best outfits. Oct. 31 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free.
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