Saturday, October 10
Morven Park International — Cross-Country Day
Olympic-level eventing on cross-country day — horses flying over jumps with the historic Davis Mansion as the backdrop, plus a vendor village and food vendors. The official policy: "Well-behaved dogs are permitted to attend. Dogs must be leashed at all times." Admission is free but every attendee needs a free grounds pass, so register before you go. Pack a blanket and make a day of it.
Dogs welcomePuppy Yoga to Benefit Fancy Cats & Dogs
A mellow, mostly-seated yoga flow shared with a wiggling litter of adoptable rescue puppies — and your ticket funds Fancy Cats & Dogs Rescue. Fair warning: this is a fundraiser, not a bring-your-own-dog event; the puppies are provided by the rescue. Ages 12+, bring your own mat. Honestly, a puppy snoring on you during savasana is worth it.
Dog eventDog Trunk or Treat
A Halloween trunk-or-treat built for dogs — dress your pup up, collect treats from decorated trunks, grab free puppuccinos, and hit the photo ops and food trucks. First 200 visitors get a free trick-or-treat bag. Leashed dogs are the whole point of this one.
Dog eventTractor Supply Halloween Pet Photo Event
Free Halloween pet photo, free photo frame, and a free pet bandana, all in one stop. Dress the pup up and keep them leashed — costumes encouraged. Worth a quick call to confirm your store is participating.
Dogs welcomeCana Vineyards Annual Harvest Festival
Toast the harvest on 43 acres of gorgeous Hunt Country — wine, live music, a local artisan market, and pumpkin art benefiting Lost Dog & Cat Rescue. The winery says it best: "Bring the whole family and pets too!"
Dogs welcomeK-9s in the Vines
A dog walk and festival at the winery benefiting Lost Dog & Cat Rescue, alongside the winery's 20th anniversary Fall Fest — live music, vendors, and adoption agencies. Note: we've seen conflicting start times (the winery lists 11am, the rescue org says 12–3pm), so check before you head out.
Dog eventLost Dog & Cat Rescue Adoption Event
Meet adoptable dogs from one of the region's biggest rescues, right in the store. Low-pressure, same-day adoptions possible — fair warning, the puppies go fast. Leashed personal dogs are welcome in PetSmart stores, so bring your current pup along.
Dog eventParktoberFest (7th Annual)
Ellanor C. Lawrence Park's big fall bash on the lawn by Cabell's Mill — live music from The Walkaways, craft beer from Ono Brewery, food trucks, and 20+ local artisans. "Leashed pets are welcome!" and A Forever Home Rescue will be on site with an adoption event. Bring a blanket and settle in for a golden fall afternoon.
Dogs welcomeSPCA of Northern Virginia Dog Adoption Fair
Stop by to meet adoptable dogs from the SPCA of Northern Virginia. Low key and fun — browse the dogs, talk to the volunteers, maybe leave with a new best friend.
Dog eventLost Dog & Cat Rescue Adoption Event — Fair Lakes PetSmart
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue brings adoptable dogs and puppies to the Fair Lakes PetSmart — sign up for a priority interview slot between 1:00 and 1:15pm if you fall for someone, since these events can turn into same-day adoptions. Leashed personal dogs are welcome in PetSmart stores, so bring your current pup along to meet the candidates.
Dog eventLive Music at Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery (Saturday)
A laid-back fall afternoon at one of NoVA's most dog-obsessed wineries — the mascot pup is literally on the wine labels. Live acoustic music on the grounds, estate wines, small-batch beers, and outside picnics welcome on the lawn. The official FAQ says it plainly: "We are dog friendly! All dogs must be on a 6-foot leash."
Dogs welcomeOktoberfest Fondue Festival at Shipgarten
Melty fondue pots, German brews, and festive music at one of NoVA's most dog-obsessed venues. Shipgarten's own FAQ says it best: dogs are welcome all throughout the venue as long as they're leashed — plus there's an off-leash dog park and a dog menu on site. This edition adds a petting zoo from 3–5pm.
Dogs welcomePetSmart Royal Canin Sampling Event
A quick, wallet-friendly Saturday errand that doubles as a dog outing. Swing by a participating PetSmart between 2 and 4pm with your leashed pup for free Royal Canin samples — a nice way to test a new food before committing to the bag. Confirm your local store is participating before heading out.
Dogs welcomeAdoptions at Petco
Local rescue groups bring adoptable pets right into the neighborhood Petco. Swing through on your Saturday errands — you might meet your new best friend between the kibble aisle and the checkout. Leashed dogs are welcome in Petco stores, so bring your pup along.
Dog eventFarmers markets (weekend editions)
Saturday: Burke, Reston, Vienna, Falls Church, Great Falls, Old Town Fairfax. Sunday: Lorton, FRESHFARM Mosaic, Clifton, EatLoco at Halley Rise (explicitly dog-friendly). Full details in our farmers market guide. These are outdoor markets where leashed dogs are welcome; check individual market rules in the guide before you go.
Dogs welcomeSunday, October 11
Puppy Yoga at Old Town Books
Start Sunday with gentle yoga, good books, and a room full of rescue puppies — every ticket supports Homeward Trails Animal Rescue. Heads up, same as Saturday's session: this is a fundraiser, not a bring-your-own-dog event; the puppies are provided by the rescue.
Dog eventMorven Park International — Show Jumping Day
Sunday wraps the International with show jumping finals and awards (10:30am–3pm) plus more cross-country — a free, leashed-dog-friendly day of top-tier equestrian sport in one of Loudoun's prettiest settings. Same drill as Saturday: well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome, and you'll need a free grounds pass.
Dogs welcomeAWLA Paws in the Park
The DMV's biggest outdoor fall festival for animal lovers, right on the Old Town waterfront — vendors, live music, food and drinks, a beer garden, a silent auction, and 20+ rescues with adoptable animals. Well-behaved leashed pets are invited (no retractable leashes), and the pet costume contest at 1:30pm has prizes for spookiest, funniest, and most creative.
Dog eventKids' Oktoberfest Field Day at Shipgarten
Shipgarten's Oktoberfest Sundays continue with field-day games, face painting, and kid activities — at a venue where your dog is genuinely part of the plan, not tolerated. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout, with an off-leash dog park and dog menu on site. Leash up, grab a stein, let the kids run and the dog sniff.
Dogs welcomeLost Dog & Cat Rescue Adoption Event — Tysons PetSmart
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue's Sunday edition at the Tysons PetSmart — same friendly setup as Saturday, a fresh lineup of adoptable dogs and puppies, and counselors on hand to walk you through applications and interviews. A perfect excuse for a Sunday errand that might end with a new family member.
Dog eventLive Music at Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery (Sunday)
The Sunday edition of Barrel Oak's weekend live-music series — same wine, beer, and vineyard views as Saturday, with a fresh set of local musicians. Bring a picnic basket (outside food welcome on the lawn), claim a sunny spot with your leashed pup, and wind down the weekend in wine country.
Dogs welcomeTaste of Petco: Wellness Protein Bowls
Bring your pup by for a free sample of the new Wellness Protein Bowls — see if it's their new obsession before you commit to the bag.
Dogs welcome