Here Comes Howl-o-ween: Philly’s Top Dog Halloween Parties

Dogs in Halloween costumes? Yes, please. / Photograph courtesy of Northern Liberties

We’ve covered pop-up bars and haunted houses. We’ve covered kid-friendly events and trick-or-treating. And now, the pups. Whether you’re a devoted dog parent or just someone who appreciates the sheer joy of costumed canines, you won’t want to miss out on the doggie festivities planned for Halloween in Philly this season. So, without further ado, let’s unleash (sorry, not sorry) the cuteness.

Uptown Beer Garden’s Costume Paw-ty
Head to the Stranger Things-themed beer garden for photo ops, treat bags, a stand from Manayunk’s Pet Friendly Dog Bakery with treats and toys for sale, and a specialty drink menu (for the humans). Don’t have a fur baby? Philly Bully Team will be there with adoptable dogs!
Pay-as-you-go; October 16th, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Uptown Beer Garden, 1500 JFK Boulevard.

Pours for PAWS
Cantina Los Caballitos is throwing a Halloween party for pups and their humans to benefit the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Matching costumes are optional, but there will be a photobooth, so why wouldn’t you plan something picture-perfect? Plus, there’s a doggie costume contest! The party will also have raffles and drink specials to benefit Philly PAWS.
Pay-as-you-go; October 22nd, 2-5 p.m., Cantina Los Caballitos, 1651 East Passyunk Avenue.

Kids’ Halloween at Sunset Social
Yes, this one’s for the kids, but it also includes a costume contest just for the dogs! So, bring the whole family (four-legged members included) to the roof of the Cira Centre for a free Halloween bash including lawn games, pumpkin-decorating, face-painting, and hot cocktails available for the grownups. RSVP online.
Free; October 22nd, noon, Sunset Social, 129 South 30th Street.

Evil Genius’s Tricks & Treats Doggo Costume Contest
Walk your dressed-up dogs down “the cat walk” in the beer garden to win prizes and help support dog-rescue charities. Your ticket includes your costume contest entry fee and donation; food and drink are pay-as-you-go.
$10; October 26th, 7-9 p.m., 1727 North Front Street.

Bark Social’s Fall Fest
Obviously, Philly’s “social club for dogs” is going to have some spooky fun planned. First up, a dog costume meetup on Monday, October 23rd with prizes for best-dressed pups. Then, on Saturday the 28th, they’ll host their Fall Fest. Get your costumes on for games, a straw-bale pyramid, cocktails, and — best of all — a pie-eating contest for dogs and humans! Note: Dogs must be registered with current vaccine records and have a Bark Social Club membership or a monthly or day pass.
$10-$30; October 28th, 10 a.m., Bark Social Manyunk, 3720 Main Street.

Hound-O-Ween Fall Festival
Philly’s biggest Halloween dog costume contest is in Northern Liberties, and it’s back and shutting down the 700 block of North 2nd Street to accommodate all the cuteness! Dozens of furry contestants will compete for prizes in various categories, plus try to win best of show for a grand prize of $500, cash. That’s a lot of biscuits. In addition to the costume contest, expect food and drink, music, and general Halloween festiveness. All proceeds from the $30 registration fee (or $20 for an extra pup) benefit Street Tails Animal Rescue.
Free to attend, $30 to enter the contest; October 28th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 700 block of 2nd Street. 

Palmer Doggie Depot’s Howl-o-ween
This free event invites the pups to strut their stuff in a Palmer Doggie Depot’s costume contest. There will also be treats and games.
Free; October 28th, 1 p.m., 37 East Palmer Street.

Salty Paws’ Pet Parade Paw-looza
Pets who come in costume get free toppings when they buy ice cream at the city’s fluffiest parlor. But the party’s just getting started: First, there will be a costume contest with prizes for best human-pet combo, funniest costume, and most creative. After fun and prizes at the store, join the parade (sorry, paw-rade) to Rittenhouse Square at 6:30 p.m. for “lick n’ treat,” which I’m guessing is more ice cream? Can’t make the party? You can also send Salty Paws a pic of your dog in costume for their online costume contest.
Free; October 28th, 5-8 p.m., Salty Paws, 211 South 17th Street.

Howl-o-Ween at Seger Dog Park
On Halloween itself, Seger goes all out. “Both dogs and their humans must be dressed to enter,” they specify — they aren’t messing around. The dog park’s costume contest categories include one for couple or group costume, a best-dressed dog award, and the “Cinephile Award,”which goes to the best costume from a movie. The competition sounds fierce.
Free; October 31st, 4-6 p.m., 1001 Rodman Street.