Looking for something fun and festive to do with your dog this holiday season? We’ve gathered up a list of the best dog-friendly holiday events, including ugly sweater parties, holiday crafts, holiday light walks, and more in DC, Maryland, and Virginia for 2022. So grab your dog and your holiday spirit and head out to one of these great events. Also, be sure to check out our list of local holiday pet photo shoots for more holiday pet fun!
Do you know of a dog-friendly holiday event in the DC area that’s not on the list? Let us know in the comments below!
Washington, DC Dog-Friendly Holiday Events
District Dogs Szn Of Giving Festival
Sun, Dec 4, 2022, 11am-2pm
Come support Little Black Dog Rescue and shop local DC vendors at District Dogs’ Szn of Giving Festival and dog adoption! Let your dog play in Bundy Dog Park while you get to work on your holiday shopping list. Make a custom paw print ornament with your pet as a keepsake, and enjoy a “puppuccino” while you’re at it. Pet artwork, handmade goods and delicious dog treats are just some of the goods you’ll encounter. LBDR will be bringing plenty of adoptable pups to peruse, and each vendor will donate a percentage of event proceeds to the rescue. What’s more — District Dogs will be matching all proceeds raised at the event! While the event itself is free, we are encouraging donations from now until the end of the festival.
Bundy Dog Park
P Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/district-dogs-szn-of-giving-festival-tickets-469585792747
Paws & Pints Holiday Party
Sat, Dec 10, 2022, 3-5pm
Join your park pals and furry friends to raise a pint and cheers to the holiday season! Get in the holiday spirit by wearing your favorite (ugly) holiday sweater/attire and strike your best pose in front of our holiday themed photo booth provided by Metro Mutts – they will also provide dog treats for good measure. Atlas’ original taproom located in Ivy City features 16 craft beers on tap. Dogs are welcome inside the taproom for the party as long as they stay leashed. There will also be food trucks on-site with food available for purchase. You can also participate in our Kingsman Bark Gives Back food drive to collect pet food and supplies for a local rescue and non-perishable food items to help replenish local blessings boxes or food pantries around the neighborhood. We are collecting donations of unexpired dry dog food bags of any size and unexpired canned dog food, treats, and toys.
Atlas Brew Works Ivy City Brewery & Taproom
2052 West Virginia Ave NE #102, Washington, DC 20002
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paws-pints-holiday-party-at-atlas-brew-works-ivy-city-tickets-478637436457
Maryland Dog-Friendly Holiday Events
Baltimore, MD
Breed Meet Up: Ugly Sweaters Unite!
Mon, Dec 12, 2022, 4-7pm
Calling all dogs who can rock an ugly sweater, this one is for you! No matter the shape, size or breed if your dog loves to strut their stuff in an ugly sweater your invited! Bonus points for matching ugly sweaters.
Bark Social
3822 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21224
https://barksocialbaltimore.eventcalendarapp.com/u/35835/198731
Paws, Claus & Claws
Wed, Dec 14, 2022, 5-8pm
Paws, Claus, and White Claws will offer a night for you and your dog to have a little holiday fun together. We’ll have pet photos with Santa, plus dog and human treats all evening long to benefit BARCS Animal Rescue & Care center. $10 Donation includes drink ticket, pet photo with Santa*, and doggie bag dispenser.
Center Plaza
100 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paws-claus-claws-tickets-460131574927
Gingerbread House Making…Doggy Style
Wed, Dec 14, 2022, 6:30pm-8:30pm
You’ve made a gingerbread house before…but have you ever made a gingerbread dog house?! Now you can! Join us to build a 3D gingerbread house. All ingredients provided will be safe for you and your dog to eat, so you can make something for you both to share. It’s pretty self-explanatory! One ticket will cover materials for one house — feel free to bring as many friends to help you make it.
Bark Social
3822 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21224
https://events.humanitix.com/gingerbread-house-making-doggy-style-baltimore
Holiday Ornament Making
Sat, Dec 17, 2022, 10am-12pm
‘Tis the season! There’s no such thing as one too many ornaments. Join us to make the newest addition to your tree — a paw print ornament — made by you AND your dog. We’ll provide different color molding clay, paints, and festive ribbon. Bring your dog, grab a drink, and get ready for a good holiday craft session. Not sure what to give your dog’s grandparents? Make two (one per ticket), and give them one!
Bark Social
3822 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21224
https://events.humanitix.com/holiday-ornament-making-baltimore
Howard County, MD
Tail Lights: Dog Walk Through Symphony of Lights
Tues, Dec 6, 2022, 5:30-8pm
Dogs like the Lights too! Join us for Tail Lights and walk through the Lights with your family, friends, and pups! Costumes encouraged for both dogs and humans. All dogs must be leashed. A portion of proceeds from this event benefit the Howard County General Hospital.
Merriweather Symphony of Lights
10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044
https://www.merriweatherlights.com/walk-thru
Montgomery County, MD
Leashes & Lights
Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 6-9pm
Take your dog on a stroll through a holiday wonderland! $15 per person (free for kids 5 & under). Proceeds benefit the work of the Montgomery County Humane Society.
Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
https://www.mchumane.org/leashes-and-lights
Holiday Barket
Sat, Dec 3, 2022, 10am-1pm
Enjoy a holiday outing with your dog and explore a handful of small local businesses and outdoor activities. Purchase some gifts, grab some accessories for your pet, and munch on a yummy treat or two at the Holiday Barket! Wrap yourself in a blanket and relax with your pup as you listen to music by local band Capital Effect at the amphitheater stage. Stroll on over to the craft station and get creative by making a keepsake of your pet’s paw print. Walk away with a photo souvenir by stopping by the photobooth and snagging a picture of your canine with the Grinch. If your pup is looking for a furry friend to add to their pack, catch PetConnect Rescue at the event and learn more about their adoption efforts and services.
Cabin John Regional Park
7400 Tuckerman Ln, Bethesda, MD 20817
https://montgomeryparks.org/events/holiday-barket
Breed Meet Up: Ugly Sweaters Unite
Mon, Dec 12, 2022, 4-7pm
Calling all dogs who can rock an ugly sweater, this one is for you! No matter the shape, size or breed if your dog loves to strut their stuff in an ugly sweater you’re invited! Bonus points for matching ugly sweaters.
Bark Social
935 Prose St, North Bethesda, MD 20852
https://barksocialbethesda.eventcalendarapp.com/u/35203/195513
Gingerbread House Making…Doggy Style
Wed, Dec 14, 2022, 6:30-8:30pm
You’ve made a gingerbread house before…but have you ever made a gingerbread dog house?! Now you can! Join us to build a 3D gingerbread house. All ingredients provided will be safe for you and your dog to eat, so you can make something for you both to share. It’s pretty self-explanatory! One ticket will cover materials for one house — feel free to bring as many friends to help you make it.
Bark Social
935 Prose St, North Bethesda, MD 20852
https://events.humanitix.com/gingerbread-house-making-doggy-style-bethesda-fldiidrr
Winter Wonderland!
Sat, Dec 17, 2022, 11am-6pm
Sleigh bells are ringing and the (imaginary) snow is glistening! It’s time to enter our magical Winter Wonderland festival where humans and furry friends can come together to celebrate the holidays. Our Winter Wonderland will include activities such as pictures with Santa, games for all ages, tasty treats, a holiday market with local vendors and samples! There’s something for everyone — you’ll be sure to leave the park with a bag full of goodies. Ugly sweaters are highly encouraged!
Bark Social
935 Prose St, North Bethesda, MD 20852
https://events.humanitix.com/winter-wonderland-bethesda
Virginia Dog-Friendly Holiday Events
Alexandria, VA
Holiday Pawty
Sun, Dec 4, 2022, 5:30-7:30pm
Come celebrate the holiday season with us! No reservations needed. Tickets come in two packages:
Photo Package: $25 – Digital copy of photo with or without Santa (seasonal background)
Pawty Package: $45 – Digital copy of photo with or without Santa (seasonal background), holiday snacks and treats, paint your own ornament and play time in our tub room with toys.
Pawsh Dog Wash
4907 Brenman Park Dr, Alexandria, VA 22304
https://pawshdw.com/event/holiday-pawty
Ugly Sweater Pawty
Sat, Dec 17, 2022, 3-6pm
‘Tis the season… to deck the paws! Come support your favorite dog bar at our second annual Ugly Sweater Party! This is our biggest holiday event so be sure to mark your calendars! Best (worst) dressed will win a prize and guests will be able to enjoy specials while celebrating the holidays!
Barkhaus
529 East Howell Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
https://brewskisbarkhaus.com/calendar/ugly-sweater-pawty
Arlington County, VA
Santa Paws Yappy Hour
Fri, Dec 9, 2022, 5-7pm
Bring your furry friends out to Central Place Plaza to enjoy pictures with Santa, pet goodies, and giveaways. Happy Hour presented by Open Road will include beer, wine, and spiked cider to warm you up! Don’t worry, we didn’t forget drinks for the four-legged friends — it is yappy hour, after all! Puppucinos and bone broth will be available for a small donation, with proceeds benefiting R-DOGS. Dog-friendly vendor tables will be on-site as well to provide fun activities for you and your pets. Plus, Arlington County Police Department Therapy Dog, FRK9 Brooks, will make an appearance!
Central Place Plaza
1800 N Lynn St, Arlington, VA 22209
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rosslyn-cheer-2022-santa-paws-yappy-hour-tickets-464387033117
Fairfax County, VA
25th Annual Reindog Parade
Sat, Dec 10, 2022, 8-9:30am
Join us for the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce’s 25th Annual Reindog Parade at Langley Shopping Center (in front of Flowers & Plants, etc). Dress up your pooch and parade for prizes! This fun family event for the holidays will feature prizes, gift bags for participants, refreshments, music by Bristol Sounds, and an appearance by Santa and the antique McLean Volunteer Fire Department engine. A Dominion Energy bucket truck will also make an appearance!
The Langley Shopping Center (In front of Flowers & Plants, etc.)
1378 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, Virginia 22101
https://www.mcleanchamber.org/events/details/postponed-25th-annual-reindog-parade-5768
Celebrating the Holidays with Your Dog
We hope you find some great holiday events to attend with your dog! If you visit one of these dog-friendly holiday events, we’d love to hear about it. You can tell us all about the fun you had and share your photos with us at hello@readypetgomd.com or on our Facebook Page.
