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Every event below was verified dog-friendly from the organizer's own page or a reputable local source when this guide was refreshed on Wednesday. Details can change after we publish, so check the source link before you head out.
Friday, October 9
Solace Rescue Ale 2026: Release Party
A yappy-hour release party for this year's Rescue Ale brewed with Lost Dog & Cat Rescue, beer, food, fundraising, and the 2026 Dog Ambassador Stella in attendance. Pups are welcome on the outdoor patio, per the organizer's own event page.
Dogs welcomeTrivia Night in the Park
Outdoor team trivia hosted by Occoquan's mayor, six rounds, a $100 grand prize in Visit Occoquan gift cards. Bring chairs and a blanket, order takeout, grab a drink at the trivia bar. Well-behaved dogs are explicitly welcome per the official park trivia rules.
Dogs welcomeKaraoke Fridays at Shipgarten
Kick off the weekend with karaoke at the area's most dog-friendly biergarten, big outdoor space, big screens, and your pup can hang the whole night. The venue says it best: "Dogs are welcome at Shipgarten too, whether on-leash or in our off-leash dog park!"
Dogs welcomeMorven Park International & Fall Horse Trials
Olympic-level three-day eventing, dressage Friday, cross-country Saturday, show jumping Sunday, plus tailgating, food, and an artisan vendor village on 1,000 gorgeous Loudoun acres. The official policy: "DOGS MUST BE LEASHED at all times while on grounds", leashed dogs are welcome outside the VIP tent. Register for your free grounds pass before you go.
Dogs welcomeSaturday, October 10
Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market
Virginia's "Best Flea", 70+ vendors with vintage clothes, vinyl, thrift finds, artisan goods and food in the heart of Del Ray. The organizer's site says it plainly: "Well Behaved Pets Always Welcomed at the Market!"
Dogs welcomeFairfax Saturday Farmers' Market
A big Saturday market with ~45 vendors of produce, baked goods and lunch fare, bring the dog along to sniff the season. The organizer's page: "We are family and pet friendly so bring your kids and your pets (leashed)."
Dogs welcomeGustave Art & Craft Market
Original art and handmade gifts from local artisans, then French pastries, live music and kids' activities in the garden. Dogs are welcome in Le Jardin's outdoor garden, which has its own dog park, so this one is built for pups.
Dogs welcomeSassy Woof Dog Trunk or Treat (2nd annual)
A costume trunk-or-treat built for dogs, dress up your pup, collect treats from decorated trunks, free puppuccinos, photo ops, vendors and food trucks. Trick-or-treat bags for the first 200. Explicitly billed as "a FREE dog and family friendly event."
Dog eventOyster Fest at Barrel Oak Winery
Fresh Virginia oysters from Nomini Bay Oyster Ranch alongside award-winning wine in wine country, with live music in the afternoon. Barrel Oak calls itself a "family and dog-friendly environment", dogs are welcome, and picnics are encouraged on the lawn.
Dogs welcomeCana Vineyards Annual Harvest Festival
Toast Virginia Wine Month on a stunning 43-acre hillside, petit verdot, cab franc, rosé, local artisan vendors, Black Oak Café snacks. Dogs on a leash are permitted in the public areas of the ground level, the Sunset Pavilion, and around the grounds.
Dogs welcomeK-9 in the Vines + La Grange 20th Anniversary Fall Fest
A dog-first walk through the vineyard with wine tasting stops and treats along the way, layered into the winery's 20th anniversary fall festival, artisans, live music, wine specials, and adoptable dogs of all sizes on hand. The invitation says it all: "Join us with your four legged friends", dogs welcome outside, leashed at all times.
Dog eventParktoberFest (7th Annual)
Blanket-on-the-lawn fall fest with live music, 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 welcomeLost Dog & Cat Rescue Adoption Event, 7 Corners PetSmart
Meet adoptable dogs from one of the region's biggest rescues, right in the store, low-pressure, and same-day adoptions are possible. Fair warning, the puppies go fast. Leashed personal dogs are welcome in PetSmart stores, so bring your current pup along.
Dog eventLucky Dog Animal Rescue Adoption Event, Hope Singleton Lodge
Meet Lucky Dog's adoptable pups at one of their weekend adoption stops. It's a dog adoption event, rescue dogs are the whole point.
Dog eventLucky Dog Animal Rescue Adoption Event, Petco
Same-day Lucky Dog adoption event at the Bailey's Crossroads Petco, swing through on Saturday errands and meet adoptable pups between the kibble aisle and the checkout. It's a dog adoption event, so dogs are the whole point.
Dog eventLost Dog & Cat Rescue Adoption Event, Fair Lakes PetSmart
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue brings adoptable dogs and puppies to the Fair Lakes PetSmart, these events can turn into same-day adoptions, so go meet your new best friend. Leashed personal dogs are welcome in PetSmart stores.
Dog eventSPCA of Northern Virginia Dog Adoption Fair
Stop by to meet the SPCA NoVA's available dogs inside Weber's, complete a meet-your-match form for any dog you click with. Low key and fun, and it's a dog adoption fair, so dogs are the whole point.
Dog eventOktoberfest Kids & Family Festival at Shipgarten
Fondue, a petting zoo, local vendors, and a Commanders rally-captain party with a DJ, and your dog gets an off-leash park. The venue says it best: "Dogs are welcome at Shipgarten too, whether on-leash or in our off-leash dog park!"
Dogs welcomeLive Music at Breaux Vineyards: Levi Stephens
Live afternoon music on the mountain-view terrace at a 404-acre estate, bring chairs or a blanket, grab a flight, let your dog lounge beside you. Dogs are welcome in the Old Tasting Room (Vin97) and outdoors, per the official FAQ.
Dogs welcomeMidnight Mimosa at Farm Brew LIVE
A Baltimore party band playing hip-hop, R&B, and 80s/90s covers, craft beer, BBQ from The Pit, food-truck bites. Dogs are welcome in the outside areas including the YARD until 8pm, leashed, so plan around the 8pm cutoff, since the show starts at 6:30.
Dogs welcomeSunday, October 11
TravelWithOllie October Group Hike
A moderate 5.5-mile fall-foliage loop with river views, fields, and forest, explicitly "designed for dogs and their favorite adventure partners." All participating dogs must be up to date on vaccines and stay leashed for the whole hike.
Dog eventEatLoco Farmers Market at Halley Rise
A festival-feel Sunday market with 60+ vendors, hot food, live music, even pet treats. The organizer welcomes "children and leashed, well-behaved dogs."
Dogs welcomeOld Town North Sunday Farmers & Artisans Market
A low-key neighborhood market, produce, baked goods, Amish eggs and cheeses, ciders, ready-to-eat meals, gifts. Listed as a "free, family friendly, dog friendly market."
Dogs welcomeFour Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market
A scrappy, community-loved market with live music 10–12, produce, artisans, dog-treat vendors, and water bowls for the pups. The market's own posts: "Always dog friendly! Always water for pups and people alike!"
Dogs welcomeFRESHFARM Farmers Market at Mosaic
A year-round Sunday market, 50+ vendors with produce, flowers, prepared foods; stroll the district with your pup after. FRESHFARM's operator policy allows leashed dogs kept under control and away from vendor tables.
Dogs welcomeAWLA Paws in the Park (80th anniversary): CANCELLED
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has cancelled/postponed Sunday's 80th-anniversary festival at Oronoco Bay Park and hopes to reschedule; no new date has been announced yet. Check the organizer's site for the latest updates.
Dog eventLost Dog & Cat Rescue Adoption Event, Tysons Corner PetSmart
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue's Sunday edition at the Tysons PetSmart, a fresh lineup of adoptable dogs and puppies, with 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 eventFancy Cats & Dogs Rescue Sunday Dog Adoption Fair
The rescue's weekly Sunday dog adoption fair, meet adoptable dogs and puppies, talk to adoption coordinators. It's a dog adoption fair, so dogs are the whole point. Worth a quick check of fancycats.org to confirm this week's lineup before you go.
Dog eventLive Music at Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery (Sunday)
A Sunday wind-down with live tunes, wine, and sweeping views at one of NoVA's most dog-obsessed wineries, the mascot pup is literally on the wine labels. Dogs are welcome in this "family and dog-friendly environment"; outside picnics welcome on the lawn.
Dogs welcomeLive Music at Breaux Vineyards: Ben Fisher
Same dog-friendly terrace setup as Saturday, different artist, live afternoon music with mountain views at a 404-acre estate. Dogs are welcome in the Old Tasting Room (Vin97) and outdoors, per the official FAQ.
Dogs welcomeSunday Live Music at Dirt Farm Brewing: Jess Estienne
Farm-fresh beer, live music, food trucks, and panoramic Blue Ridge views, plus a hiking trail on the farm. The official Farm Rules: "friendly dogs welcome on the farm trail, leashed at all times."
Dogs welcomeLive Music at The Winery at La Grange: Janna & Rob
Sunday-afternoon acoustic pop/rock classics on the lawn, grab a bottle and unwind outdoors with the pup. Dogs are welcome outside on the property and in the outdoor tasting area, leashed at all times.
Dogs welcomeShipgarten Sunday: Kids' Field Day + NFL Watch Parties
Make a whole day of it, morning football on the giant screens, afternoon field-day games for the kids, off-leash dog park for your pup the entire time. "Dogs are welcome at Shipgarten too, whether on-leash or in our off-leash dog park!"
Dogs welcomeFOHA Monthly Dog Adoption Event at Fleetwood Farm Winery
Meet adoptable dogs from Friends of Homeless Animals, and bring your own pup too, since "all dogs are welcome inside" at Fleetwood. Wine tasting meets wagging tails.
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