Are you looking to mark your calendar with some fun dog-themed events? From pet expos to the largest dog shows and agility events to major pet adoption events, we have you covered!
Dogs are welcome at many pet expos (don’t miss our post on taking your dog to a pet expo) although generally not at dog shows, unless competing.
NOTE: Check–and doublecheck–events as you make your plans. Events are changing rapidly in response to changing conditions these days. Along with checking the expo website, be sure to check social media pages for additional updates.
Have we missed any of your favorites? Email us at [email protected]! And if you’re in search of cat shows and festivals, don’t miss our calendar on CatTipper!
United States
Arizona
Cynosport Dog Agility World Games
- When: 2023 TBA
- Where: Scottsdale, Arizona
This annual event is presented by the United States Dog Agility Association, Inc. (USDAA), the world’s largest independent authority for the sport of dog agility. The multi-day event features four agility championships:
- The Grand Prix of Dog Agility® World Championships
- $10,000 Dog Agility Steeplechase®
- Dog Agility Masters® International Three-Dog Championship
- Masters Challenge Biathlon℠
California
Beverly Hills Dog Show
- When: March 4-5, 2023
- Where: Beverly Hills, California
The Beverly Hills Dog Show Presented by Purina is hosted by the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills and produced by NBC. The broadcast is hosted by John O’Hurley, David Frei and Mary Carillo.
New Year Classic – Kennel Club of Palm Springs
- When: Jan. 2023 (first weekend in January)
- Where: Indio, California
Held the first weekend in January, this large show is considered the largest dog show west of the Mississippi River and one of the four largest AKC shows in the nation.
Pet Health Expo
- When: April 14-16, 2023
- Where: Los Angeles
Both an in-person and virtual version of this pet health event will be hosted simultaneously. The event will include a new product showcase, exhibitors, speakers, free classes for children to teach them how to examine and care for their pets, free doggy boot camps, and more.
Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals
- When: TBA
- Where: San Diego, California
The “fastest wiener in the west” is crowned at this event that launched the popular Dachshund races in the 1990s. The annual event benefits the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest
- When: 2023 TBA
- Where: Petaluma, California
Connecticut
Connecticut Pet Expo
- When: 2023 TBD
- Where: tk
Florida
AKC National Championship
- When: Dec. 2023
- Where: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando
AKC Obedience Classic
- When: December 2023
- Where: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando
Georgia
Atlanta Pet Expo
- When: April 22-23, 2023
- Where: Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, Lawrenceville
Idaho
Family Pet Expo
- When: April 15, 2023
- Where: Boise
Along with shopping opportunities for pets, this pet-friendly expo will feature services including grooming, microchipping, vaccination and more.
Iowa
Maryland
World of Pets Expo
- When: Jan 27-29, 2023
- Where: Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland
Massachusetts
Greater Boston Pet Expo
- When: 2023 TBA
- Where: Shriners Auditorium, Wilmington, MA
Michigan
Dog Dayz Pet Products and Companion Animal Expo
- When: TBA
- Where: MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, Michigan
This free event features vendor booths and handmade products for pets. Note: dogs are not permitted at this event so pick up a toy to surprise your dog when you return home!
Frankenmuth Dog Bowl
- When: May 6-29, 2023
- Where: Frankenmuth River Place Shops, Frankenmuth, Michigan
Billed as the “World’s Largest Olympic-Sized Festival for Dogs,” this event dates back to 2008. Features almost 30 events (including nearly two dozen your dog can take part in).
Novi Pet Expo
- When: TBA
- Where: Novi, Michigan
Dogs over 6 months old are welcome on a fixed leash with proof of vaccination.
Missouri
North America Diving Dogs National Championship
- When: October 26-28, 2023
- Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield, Missouri
Nebraska
AKC National Tracking Invitational
- When: TBA
- Where: the 2021 competition was in Raymond, NE
Featuring handler and dog teams that have earned the AKC Champion Tracker Title.
New Jersey
Super Pet Expo
- When: Jan. 6-8, 2023
- Where: NJ Convention and Exposition Center, Edison
A dog-friendly expo, this event offers insight into pet training, nutrition and health through talks from animal experts; pet entertainment; the opportunity to shop among more than 150 vendor booths; adorable adoptables from area rescue organizations, and much more!
World Dog Expo
- When: June 2023
- Where: Meadowlands Expo Center, Secaucus, New Jersey
This weekend event features not only a huge trade show with vendors but also demonstrations of dog sports including barn hunt, French Ring, obedience, flyball, lure coursing, disc dog, agility and more. Rescues and shelters will also be available for dog adoptions.
New York
AKC Meet the Breeds® New York
- When: January 28-29, 2023
- Where: Jacob K. Javitz Center, New York City
Meet over 100 different dog breeds and learn about their origins, personalities and more. This large event also features demonstrations of dog agility, working dogs and more.
Long Island Pet Expo in the Park
- When: 2023 TBA
- Where: Tanner Park, Copiague, New York
Long Island Pet Expo – Suffolk
- When: March 4-5, 2023
- Where: Brentwood, NY
Long Island Pet Expo – Nassau
- When: TBA
- Where: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
- When: May 6-9, 2023
- Where: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York City
The longest nationally televised live dog show (since 1948!) and the second-longest, continuously held sporting event in the country, Westminster is a name familiar to all dog lovers. Along with the conformation dog show, the event includes the Masters Agility Championship and Masters Obedience Championship (both open to both purebred and mixed breed dogs).
Ohio
AKC Rally National Championship
- When: June 16-17, 2023
- Where: Wilmington, Ohio
AKC National Obedience Championship
- When: June 18-19, 2023
- Where: Wilmington, Ohio
All-American Columbus Pet Expo
- When: March 10-12, 2023
- Where: Columbus, Ohio
Oklahoma
AKC National Agility Championship
- When: March 17-19, 2023
- Where: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Lehigh Valley Pet Expo
- When: February 3-5, 2023
- Where: Allentown, PA
Morgantown Pet Expo
- When: 2023 TBA
- Where: The Morgantown Center, Morgantown, Pennsylvania
National Dog Show
- When: Nov. 2023
- Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, Oaks, Pennsylvania
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia has hosted their dog show since the 1870s–and it became a national favorite with the airing of the National Dog Show Presented by Purina®, televised every Thanksgiving Day. The show itself is held the weekend prior to Thanksgiving and includes not only the conformation dog show but also Meet the Breeds and many vendors. Dogs that are not competing are not permitted at this event.
Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo
- When: March 10-12, 2023
- Where: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Pet Expo
- When: Fall 2023
- Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh
One of the largest pet expos in the nation, this event spans over two acres of exhibits and demonstrations including adoption areas, disc and trick dog demonstrations, diving dog shows, and more.
Texas
Austin Pet Expo
- When: TBA
This is the closest pet expo near me — so I’ll definitely be watching for a date for this one! We exhibited the last time it was held (in Taylor) although the website now says the next event will be held in Austin.
Buda Wiener Dog Races
- When: April 2023
- Where: Buda City Park, Buda, Texas
This massive dog festival (so big you’ll need to catch a shuttle bus to the event!) features, yes, Dachshund races as well as vendors, a barbecue cookoff and a pet parade.
Heart of Texas Dog Show
- When: Oct. 2023
- Where: Bell County Expo Center, Belton
AKC-affiliated, annual, all-breeds dog show for Central Texas including Obedience & Rally Trials, Agility Trials and vendors.
Houston World Series of Dog Shows
- When: July 2023
- Where: NRG Center, Houston, Texas
This Texas-sized event typically includes not only a conformation dog show but also agility, obedience, rally, barn hunt, Frisbee and much more, along with hundreds of vendors.
River City Cluster of Dog Shows
- When: July 2023
- Where: Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas
This large event spans over 150,000 square feet of indoor climate-controlled space and features dog shows with international competitors and vendors.
Wisconsin
Green Bay Pet Expo
- When: May 12-14, 2023
- Where: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Now in its second decade, this event features vendors, dock diving dogs, a K-9 unit demonstration and more. Leashed dogs welcome.
Winnebago Pet Expo
- When: May 20, 2023
- Where: Winnebago, Wisconsin
Canada Pet Expos and Events
Canadian Pet Expo
- When: April 7-7, 2023
- Where: Mississauga, Ontario
Canada’s largest indoor pet event includes celebrity pet appearances, grooming demonstrations and over 300 vendors.
Woofstock
- When: TBA
- Where: Toronto, Canada
North America’s largest festivals for dogs
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