It’s time! Our first-ever Dogtoberfest kicks off on Saturday, October 5, and will continue every Saturday and Sunday throughout October.  This is a brand-new event, so we are sure you have some questions about it. To help you plan your visit, we’ve put together the Ultimate Guide to Experiencing Dogtoberfest. Trust us when we say you’ll want to read the guide fully as Dogtoberfest features new ticket times, a VIP option and a slight deviation of programming on select days. So get to reading and then grab your leashes and lederhosens!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • Advance tickets are encouraged for Dogtoberfest as there are only 3-time slots available per day – Morning (entry at 8:30 a.m.), Midday (entry at 11:30 a.m.), Afternoon (2:30 p.m.). General Admission is free for Members and up to $15 for non-members. All dogs are $5. 
  • Enhance your experience with VIP tickets, which are just $20 for Members and $35 for non-members. VIP includes express entry into the garden, access to the VIP Biergarten and the 360 photo booth, one free beer, a souvenir cup, a pretzel necklace and a dog biscuit. If you purchase VIP tickets, you may enter the Garden at 8 a.m. for the Morning session, 11 a.m. for the Midday session and 2 p.m. for the Afternoon session.
  • While the main programming of Dogtoberfest is the same every day, the Disc Dogs will be putting on frisbee shows at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on October 12, 13, 19 and 20. 
  • The Doggy Marketplace will host a variety of vendors during Dogtoberfest. While some will be there each day, others have selected to be there only one or two weekends. Below is a scheduled list of vendors (please note this is subject to change):
    • Saturday, October 5 – Bea Metier, Go Fetch, Pablo’s Paws Club, Playful Purses 4 You, Wonderlight Design, Woofies
    • Sunday, October 6- Pablo’s Paws Club, Wonderlight Design, Art of the Dog
    • Saturday, October 12 – Bea Metier, Disc Dogs in Southern California, Glow Pups, Sour Dog
    • Sunday, October 13 – Disc Dogs in Southern California, Bark N Roll, Glow Pups, Playful Purses 4 You, Wonderlight Design, Woofies, Art of the Dog, Go Fetch
    • Saturday, October 19 – Bea Metier, Disc Dogs in Southern California, Glow Pups, Pablo’s Paws Club, Wonderlight Design, Woofies, High Vibe Dogs, Sour Dog
    • Sunday, October 20 – Bea Metier, Disc Dogs in Southern California, Glow Pups, Pablo’s Paws Club, Wonderlight Design, Art of the Dog, Woofies, High Vibe Dogs
    • Saturday. October 26 – Glow Pups, Guide Dogs of America, Go Fetch, Pablo’s Paws Club, Wonderlight Design, Woofies, High Vibe Dogs, Sour Dog
    • Sunday, October 27 – Glow Pups, Pablo’s Paws Club, Art of the Dog, Wonderlight Design, Woofies, High Vibe Dogs
  • We have free parking on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those with reservations are given priority.
  • Dog adoptions will be taking place on Saturdays – October 5, 12, 19, 26. Keep scrolling to see the pups in search of a forever home!

DURING YOUR VISIT

  • Each ticket buyer who is at least 21 years old will receive 4 free beer samplings that can be collected at the ABK Beer and Smog City Sampling Tables near the Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden. Next to the sampling stations, there will be a bar with full beers available for purchase.
  • Dottie’s at the Koi Pond and the bar on the Upper Meadow will have the same food and beverage offerings, including, but not limited to, Smog City’s Dogtoberfest Lager and a full bar, brats, soft pretzels, a Honeycrisp apple salad and warm pretzel bites for dessert. 
  • The Garden is hosting a DIY Collar Charm Pop-Up event from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. every day. Participants can select from our cache of pre-made up-cycled paper beads and string them together to spell out their pup’s name or create their own unique, custom design. This activity can be purchased on-site and is just $7 per charm.
  • Grab a Bark Walk map as you enter the Garden. The map will lead you along the Bark Walk to see our Horticulture Department’s favorite trees and help you locate the various Dogtoberfest activities and bar stations.

FAQ

Q: Do I have to have a dog to attend Dogtoberfest?
A: No! Dogtoberfest can be enjoyed with or without a dog. 

Q: What is there to do during Dogtoberfest?
A:  During Dogtoberfest, guests can shop at the Doggy Marketplace, head out on the Bark Walk to see our Horticulture Department’s favorite trees, enjoy 4 free beer samplings along the pup crawl, let your dog show off on the obstacle course, shake your tailfeather during the Dance Pawty, adopt a new pup, and sit back and enjoy some Bavarian-inspired food and beverage. There will also be a photo opportunity for all guests and a 360 photo booth for VIP ticket holders.  Guests can also join our DIY Collar Charm pop-up to create a custom charm for their dog for just $7! 

Q: Is there a frisbee show happening?
A: Yes, Disc Dogs will be performing frisbee shows at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on October 12, 13, 19 and 20.

Q: Do I have to have a dog to do the 360 photo booth?
A: No! You only need to have a VIP ticket. 

Q: I bought a VIP ticket for my child, what do I do with their free beer?
A: Children can get a complimentary root beer or other soft drink with their VIP ticket. If they do not wish to get a drink, they can pass their complimentary beer benefit along to an adult.
 
Below are the pups from last week’s adoptions. Click on each flyer to learn more about each pup!