Got a Halloween costume picked out for your pup? This is your chance to show it off. Puptoberfest is back in Calgary this weekend, with a dog fashion show, free grooming, a canine agility course, and plenty of local pet vendors to browse. This year, the festival will take place at a new location along the Bow River, with scenic waterfront views in East Village.
Now, let’s take a further look at what you can check out at this year’s event.
What to expect at Puptoberfest
What is Puptoberfest?
Puptoberfest is an annual event in Calgary’s East Village that celebrates all things fall and dogs. During the festival, you’ll be able to browse local pet vendors, enjoy fall photo ops, and grab some food from the Family Fry Guy food truck.
Want to freshen up your pup before the fashion show? Free nail trims and 10-minute grooming sessions will be offered throughout the afternoon.
Clever Canines will also host an agility course, while Rob Milton will be on-site creating caricatures and DJ Ivan Rankic will provide music.
Several local animal charities will be on-site with some adoptable animals, including the Calgary Humane Society, AARCS, and Parachutes for Pets.
A dog fashion show will close out the event, so you can check out all the costumes before the festival wraps up at 3 p.m.
When is Puptoberfest?
Puptoberfest takes place on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The dog fashion show is scheduled for 2 p.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to check out the festivities before the pups hit the runway.
Where is the event taking place?
This year, Puptoberfest has been moved to a new location and will now be hosted at the RiverWalk Plaza in East Village, along the Bow River in downtown Calgary.
Is Puptoberfest free to attend?
The event is completely free to attend, and no registration is required; all you have to do is show up with your pup and enjoy the festivities.
If your pup’s costume has been sitting in the closet waiting for its debut, then Oct. 17 is the day to put it to use!
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Riverwalk Plaza — 632 Confluence Way SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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