Shows, festivals and dog-friendly days out worth planning around.
Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
Bond With Dog's community pack walk is back for another Saturday morning outing at Burton Mail Centenary Woodland, with dogs walking alongside each other rather than being pushed into greetings. We joined the October edition with Murphy and came away impressed enough to flag this next one. £2 per person, cash only, pup cups included.
Everards Meadows, Leicestershire
A two-hour guided autumn walk around Everards Meadows on Sunday 25 October, raising funds for Leicestershire & Rutland Guide Dogs. £10 per dog gets you a goodie bag of treats, a hot drink and biscuits for the humans, and a proper group outing. Worth knowing it's a busy organised walk with plenty of other dogs along for the ride.
Grantham, Nottinghamshire
A guided two-hour group walk around Belton Estate on Saturday 14 November, led by one of the National Trust's own Dog Rangers, taking in the Brownlow family's canine history and the estate's wildlife. It's free to join, though normal estate admission applies, and there's a dog-friendly café waiting at the end for the humans.
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
An illuminated evening trail through the grounds of Wollaton Hall, running from late November through to early January. A proper change from the usual dog walk — torches, twinkly lights and a very different kind of sniff.
Bakewell, Derbyshire
Thornbridge Hall is letting dogs in on the Christmas magic this year — including a visit to Santa's Grotto itself. Across three weekends in November and December, dogs on leads can browse the Christmas markets, wander the gardens and queue up for a festive photo with the man in red. Murphy's already rehearsing his best sit for the camera.
Bretby, Derbyshire
A free Christmas open day at Vets at Bretby, with behind-the-scenes practice tours, a go at scent work, a free Santa Paws photo and a dog-friendly café on site. Sunday 6 December, free entry and free parking, with proceeds supporting Harvey's Army and Wonky Pets Rescue.
Coalville, Leicestershire
A Christmas market with around 30 stalls, festive food trucks and a Santa Paws photo opportunity, held at CrossFit Coalworks in aid of Midlands Cleft Rescue. Expect gifts, dog accessories, rescue dogs to meet, and the chance to get your own dog's photo with Santa for a small fee.
Tamworth, Staffordshire
A monthly group walk around Tamworth Castle Grounds for greyhounds and their owners, organised by rescue charity Home Run Hounds. Expect a relaxed 30–40 minute social walk, a chance to meet rescue dogs still looking for homes, and a proper gathering of hound people. Worth knowing it's a social group setting with multiple dogs, so bear that in mind if yours isn't keen on crowds.
Snarestone, Leicestershire
A community recommendation sent us to Snarestone Pumpkin Farm on a sunny Sunday, and Murphy was promptly put to work posing for roughly 400 photographs among rows and rows of pumpkins. Easy free parking, leads required in the patch, and — crucially — puppuccinos on the menu.
Derby, Derbyshire & Atherstone, Warwickshire
Dobbies' dog-friendly Pup-Kin Patch is back for autumn 2026, with timed sessions letting your dog pick their own toy, have a go on a low-level obstacle course, and pose for an autumn photo. It's ticketed, it's outdoors, and there's a puppachino in it for them if you buy cake.
Loughborough, Leicestershire
A dog-focused takeover of Loughborough Market Place, with competitions, pet stalls, crafts and food running alongside the Love Loughborough Gardeners' Fair. Worth a wander if you're after a low-key Sunday out with your dog and a good chance to browse.
Boundary, Leicestershire
A free, all-day family festival at Charnwood Forest Alpacas with live music, circus skills, inflatables, local makers and food stalls — and dogs are welcome, on leads, throughout. Raising money for men's mental health charity Tough To Talk.
Syston, Leicestershire
Despite the name, this one's for every dog, not just the leggy speedy ones — an afternoon of fun classes at The Gate Hangs Well in Syston, raising money for Leicester Sighthounds. Think Handsome Boy, Best Sausage Catcher and Fancy Dress, with rosettes for the top three in each ring.
Braunston, Rutland
Meadow View's annual dog show returns to Corner Meadow Farm on 6 September, with twelve show classes, rosettes down to fifth place, stalls, a tombola and food on site. It's in aid of Corner Meadow Animal Rehabilitation, so a fun day out with a good cause behind it.
Hinckley, Leicestershire
A one-day open day bringing together 27 alternative therapy stands for dogs, horses and humans alike, plus a magic show, fete games and a cake stall — all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Thanks to Katie B Frisby for flagging this one for the calendar.
Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
An early-evening picnic in the grounds of Ashby Castle, with live music from W2, balloon modelling and a proper community feel. Bring your own picnic, grab a ticket, and make an evening of it before the nights draw in.
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire
A whole afternoon at Ashby Cricket Club built entirely around the dogs — puppuccinos, treats, stalls and a fun dog show, all in aid of LOROS. Murphy hasn't been yet, but this one's already in the diary for 6 September. 🐾
Rufford Abbey Country Park
Paws in the Park is taking over the beautiful grounds of Rufford Abbey Country Park for a whole day dedicated to dogs 🤎
Huncote, Leicestershire
Leicester Animal Aid's 70th anniversary celebration at Huncote Sports & Social Club. Fun dog show, have-a-go agility, doggy reunion parade for former residents, plus stalls, games and refreshments. £2 entry for adults, dogs and kids free.
Market Harborough, Leicestershire
A two-day Fun Dog Show celebrating dogs of all shapes, sizes and stories. Waggiest Tail, Most Handsome Dog, Scruffiest Dog, Dog Most Like Their Owner — seventeen classes in total, plus Dog Scurry and Agility Experience.
Solihull, West Midlands
A breed-specific social event for Cavapoos and similar-sized doodle mixes — off-lead play, a Pupuccino Bar, shopping stalls and a garden disco theme. Hosted by the team behind the Dragons' Den-featured POP+BARK events at Slug & Lettuce in Solihull.
Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
A two-day dog event built around actual dogs rather than just tolerating them. Live demos, expert talks, trickster performances, a dog pub, shopping, and a Pumpkin Patch registry where your dog's name gets added to an official patrol wall. Dogs go free, kids go free, parking's free.
Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire
A relaxed community dog show with classes for prettiest, handsomest, oldest, youngest and best rescue — plus a child handler category. £1 per entry, rosettes for the winners, and the kind of village fête atmosphere where nobody's taking it too seriously.
Deene Park, Northamptonshire
A two-day celebration of dogs, livestock, rural life and thrilling stunt shows. Fun dog competitions, agility displays, have-a-go activities and a shopping village — plus rural country attractions, horse displays and entertainment for the whole family.
Rosliston Forestry Centre, Derbyshire
A charity dog walking event raising funds for Crowfoot Kennels Dog Rescue. Two organised pack walks, a dog show, agility, BBQ, raffle, and plenty of community atmosphere — all in support of rescue dogs.
Leicestershire
A pick-your-own sunflower field with a maze, games and refreshments. Dogs welcome, no booking required, and the sort of photo opportunity Murphy will either absolutely nail or spectacularly ruin — we'll find out.
Oakedge Park, Wolseley Bridge, ST17 0XS Stafford
An upscale, rustic countryside day out curated specifically for modern dog owners. Artisan shopping, holistic canine health stalls, a fun dog show running all afternoon, and free ground entry. Dogs on lead throughout.
Everards Meadow, Leicester, Leicestershire
Dog Fest is back — with a fresh new look and a new name 🐶 The Big Leicester Paw Festival returns to Everards Meadows with FREE entry, nine hours of dog agility, shows, breed meet-ups and plenty to keep both dogs and humans entertained.
Osgathorpe, Leicestershire
A dog show, food, music and activities — all raising money for a very good cause 💙 Canine Partners is holding a Family Fun Day & Dog Show this August, with a day of community fun planned in support of the charity.
Soar Valley, Leicestershire
A family-friendly dog show with have-a-go activities, working dog sports and plenty for dogs of all breeds to get involved in.
Elvaston, Derbyshire
If your perfect summer festival involves dogs, live music and good food rather than muddy fields and questionable portaloo decisions, Dog Lovers Festival might be one for the diary. A three-day celebration of everything canine with live bands, dog activities, camping and a proper festival atmosphere.