7 Local Dog Events to Enjoy With Your Furry Friends This Summer
#Southie is such a dog community, and summer is the perfect time to be a dog parent. Not only are canine-centric events a fun way to meet people all over the city, but (in many cases) it can also be a cool way to socialize at the same time, usually outside on a deck or patio. These are all dog-specific events, but there are plenty of dog-friendly hotels and restaurants that could also serve as casual meet-up spots.
These are a few of the most fun opportunities to socialize with fellow Bostonian pooches, but there are tons more. I don’t have a dog myself, but I AM one of those weirdos who will stop to pet every dog I pass by on the sidewalk. So if you happen to spot the strange person with no dog at some of these, come up and say hi!
These aren’t in any particular order—some are happening in the next couple weeks, some are all the way out in September. Not all of these are kid-friendly, so check before you go.
Yappier Hour
Every Monday and Wednesday
The Liberty Hotel, Boston
This isn’t just in the summer—it’s from May to October, culminating in a fun Halloween doggy costume contest (bawwwwww). The free events are weather-dependent, so check that it’s still happening before you go, but the Liberty is a gorgeous venue and draws in people from all over Boston.
Canines and Cocktails
July 10, 2019
TAMO Bistro and Bar, Seaport
This one’s in support of a cause—Great Dog Rescue New England—with raffle prizes and literal doggy bags. It’s a cash bar, so a nice way to chill out after work. According to the website, “Kennedy Elsey of MIX 104.1 and her dog, Elvis, will be our special guests!”
Dog Days of Summer Cruise
July through early September
Rowes Wharf
It’s like a regular tour, but cooler: the cruise takes you around the fish pier, Logan, the Constitution, and other places around the city. The evening tours have a cash bar and snacks available to buy—yes, please. If your dog likes to hang out a car window (safely, of course), then they’ll love speeding along on the water.
Yappy Hour at DBCO
First Wednesday of every month during the summer
Dorchester Brewing Company
This free event is a fun way to experience a brewery vibe with your beloved pup. Local brands The Pooped Pooch and Pawsitivity are on site to talk dog care, and the brewing facility has a cute little outdoor space for outside socializing. July 3rd and August 7th are the next Yappy Hour dates.
PhotoWalks Dog Photography Class
July 20, 2019
Beacon Hill Bistro, Boston
Want to get creative? Learn how to take cute pics of your pooch (kind of essential these days, thanks to Instagram) in the very scenic Beacon Hill/Esplanade area. All you need is a smartphone or camera. Tickets aren’t cheap ($20 for a child, $40 for an adult), but it’ll be an interactive and fun time.
B.A.R.K. in the Park
Tickets available in September
Boston Harbor Island Welcome Center, Seaport
Ok, so granted, tickets aren’t available for a while, but this is a morning event (unlike a lot of these) and it’s a scenic 1.5 mile walk along the Greenway and Boston Harborwalk with staff and national park rangers. Pups who do it get a “official badge during our B.A.R.K. Ranger swearing-in ceremony,” which sounds like the cutest thing ever.
Somerville Dog Festival
September 8, 2019
Trum Field, Somerville
Again, this one’s late summer and a bit farther away, but it sounds amazing. There are free classes and games, demonstrations, pop-up vendors, and a good cause—raising money for the Somerville Pet Food Bank and to purchase K9 protective vests. It bills itself as the only event like this in the country, focused on making pets and their families healthy and happy.
We don’t have details just yet, but the Southie Street Festival (which would also be in September) will also be a fabulous dog-centric activity in late summer/early fall. See you there!
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