From burlesque paw-ties to poetry for pups to canine comedy shows, you can fill you and your dog’s social calendar all year long with events that bring together people and pooches.
Big Dog Energy Comedy Show
Amy Walsh hosts a monthly standup show at The MOTN where dogs are welcome. Expect pre-show socializing, some ruff humour in the comedy sets, and the most unique atmosphere out there. Follow @bigdogenergycomedy for upcoming shows. Tickets are $16 for early bird and $17.50 for general admission.
Address: 1826 Triumph Street, Vancouver
Batch Vancouver
Carissa Kasper. Cozy up with your dog beside a fire pit at this covered patio-only spot located on the seawall at the Plaza of Nations. Enjoy free live music Wednesday to Sunday from 6pm to 9pm, locally-made treats for dogs, natural wine, local beer, warm pretzels, and rotating food trucks from April onwards—all while your dog meets and greets other dogs and people. Check out @batchvancouver for live music and food truck updates.
Address: 770 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
PupsYoga
PupsYoga. While not open to your own dog, PupsYoga classes will remind you of times past, when your puppy was climbing and rolling and floofing all over while you were trying to get things (anything!) done. Located in Chinatown with eight classes offered weekly at $45 per session, PupsYoga lets you practice downward dog while socializing adopted puppies to prepare them for their forever homes.
Address: 180 East Pender Street, Vancouver
Paws & Pasties
Vita Devour and Mountain Dog Crew are back with the second annual Paws & Pasties, located outside of The Birdhouse by Eastside Studios, on June 23. Paid and free activities include pet portraits, a dog costume parade, a peanut butter licking contest, a supervised off-leash park, and dog themed vendors. Food trucks, drinks, and dog-themed burlesque will also be in the mix, of course. Follow @mountaindogcrew for ticket sale announcements.
Address: 44 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Petpalooza’s Day of the Dog
No listing of dog events would be complete without North America’s largest free pet festival, the Day of the Dog. Walk on down to Mainland Street in Yaletown on August 25 from 11am to 4pm to enjoy Yoga with Adoptable Puppies, enter your dog in breed-specific races, join a pool party for pups, capture your canine in a superhero photo booth, watch the Dogue Fashion Show, and explore over 78 exhibitors, all while raising funds for the JUST LOVE ANIMALS SOCIETY.
Address: 1100 Mainland Street, Vancouver
Poetry in the Park
Bring your bookish hound to John Hendry Trout Lake Park in mid-September for this free Poetry in the Park event by Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver Park Board, and St John Ambulance. Last year’s programming included a poetry workshop, dog yoga for you and your pup, an Iron Dog Books truck, and for the dog-less, the option to check out a therapy dog using bark code to read them some poetry. Subscribe to VPL’s newsletter for 2024 dates and this year’s programming.
Address: 3300 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
Daagerpaatch
Your canine calendar doesn’t end with summer, but it does get spookier. The Daagerpaatch at Daageraad Brewing is your destination late October for a weekend of pumpkin carving by donations to Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), costume contests, a PADS puppy meet and greet, live music, beer, and food trucks. Follow @dageraadbeer for 2024 event dates.
Address: 3191 Thunderbird Crescent #114, Burnaby
Dog Days
Enjoy festivities on designated Dog Days in the fall at Maan Farms in Abbotsford. Strut through the Corn Maze, pose in the Pumpkin Patch, and get wild in the Barnyard Adventureland, all while indulging in some pumpkin-themed treats. Follow @maanfarms for ticket announcements for Dog Days in the fall.
Address: 790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford
Steveston Christmas Dog Parade
What better way to wrap up a year of epic dog dates than with a photo of your dog dressed up with Santa Clause? Don your most festive attire and head down to Steveston Village on December 8 at 10:30am to join the free Christmas Dog Parade, which will end at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery for Santa photos and prizes.
Address: Steveston Village, Richmond
