Hey!
This Wednesday is National Dog Day — and the city is not playing around.
Fashion shows, a dog and owner lookalike contest, happy hours across the boroughs, and plenty of chances to get together with your people to celebrate your most important one. Wednesday alone is a full day.
But the week doesn't stop there.
If you want to get creative, Sip and Paint is on Thursday and Paws on Parade gives your dog a proper stage on Thursday afternoon. If social is more your speed, there's a Rooftop Summer Social in Jersey City on Friday and Freaky Fourth Friday at Other Half on the Williamsburg waterfront.
Wellness people have dog yoga and a group run on Saturday. Water people have kayaking on the Hudson on Sunday. And if you want to put your money where your heart is, Korean K9's Save Our Shelters Summer Party on Sunday is worth making the trip to Long Island City.
National Dog Day kicks it off. The rest of the week keeps it going.
Wednesday August 26th
Summer Soirée (National Dog Day Party) @ Barkhouse, on Wed, 26 Aug, 16:00–19:00
A National Dog Day party in Chelsea with pup treats, drinks, custom accessories, and a $2,500+ giveaway — adoptable dogs from Animal Lighthouse Rescue on-site throughout. Free with RSVP.
Barking Hour & Paw-shion Show @ Arlo SoHo, on Wed, 26 Aug, 16:00–18:00
An outdoor courtyard yappy hour with a 360° photo booth, specialty pup treats, and a judged Best Dressed Paw-shion Show contest. A National Dog Day afternoon with a winner's podium for your dog.
Celebrate National Dog Day @ Loulou Petit Bistro, on Wed, 26 Aug, 11:00–20:00
An all-day National Dog Day dining activation at this Chelsea bistro — a dedicated gourmet canine menu sponsored by Tito's Handmade Vodka running alongside the full human menu. A Wednesday that treats both of you properly.
Wagular Wednesdays @ Sojourn Social, on Wed, 26 Aug, 12:00–23:00
An all-day National Dog Day yappy hour at the UES dog bar — special drink deals for owners with dogs running from noon to close. The longest Wagular Wednesday of the year.
Space Jam @ Prospect Park, on Wed, 26 Aug, 18:00–22:00
A 30th anniversary outdoor screening of Space Jam under the stars in Prospect Park — bring a blanket and your dog, and let the evening take care of itself.
Dog Crafts @ Bryant Park Art Cart, on Wed, 26 Aug, 11:30–13:30
A new dog-themed craft each week on Bryant Park's Upper Terrace — all materials included, no registration needed. One of the final sessions of the summer series.
Dog & Owner Lookalike Contest @ Industry City Bandshell, on Wed, 26 Aug, 17:00–21:00
Dogfish Head crowns NYC's most matching human-and-hound duo at the Industry City Bandshell — photo ops, giveaways, and a contest that rewards the thing you've suspected about you and your dog for years.
Thursday August 27th
Paws on Parade @ Bryant Park, on Thu, 27 Aug, 12:00–15:00
A civic festival on the Bryant Park lawn celebrating canine companionship — trick demonstrations, live music, and parade walks through Midtown's most dog-familiar green space. A Thursday afternoon that gives your dog a proper stage.
Sip & Paint a Pet Portrait @ Barking Dog UES, on Thu, 27 Aug, 17:30–19:30
Trace and paint a watercolor portrait of your own dog from a pre-sketched outline — drinks and appetizers on the table, your dog settled in beside you. Advance registration and a photo sent in required.
Through the Lens of Love: Back to School Edition @ Maria Hernandez Park, on Thu, 27 Aug, 18:00
A donation-based dog photoshoot in Bushwick with backpacks and first-day-of-school props — proceeds go toward a fall community dog event. A Thursday evening that produces a photo worth keeping and a cause worth supporting.
Puppy Party @ JustFoodForDogs, on Thu, 27 Aug, 18:30–19:30
A free weekly session for new puppies in a sanitized, professionally supervised space — the kind of structured play that builds real social confidence during the months that matter most. Email RSVP required.
Friday August 28th
Freaky Fourth Friday @ Other Half Brewing, on Fri, 28 Aug, 12:00–20:00
A monthly collaboration beer release at Domino Park's dog-friendly taproom — this month swapping recipes with a fellow brewery for an all-day hang on the Williamsburg waterfront. A Friday that starts at noon and asks nothing more of you.
Paws and Pints @ Sixpoint Brewery, on Fri, 28 Aug, 17:00–20:00
The weekly Friday beer garden hang at Brookfield Place — free pup cups and treats for every dog, cold pints for everyone else. A reliable Battery Park City end-of-week option that doesn't require a reservation.
Rooftop Summer Social @ Powerhouse Arts District, on Fri, 28 Aug, 18:00–21:00
An open-air evening social on a Jersey City rooftop for pet owners and their dogs — a cross-river Friday with skyline views and a crowd that showed up specifically to be around other dog people.
Saturday August 29th
Doga: Doggy and Me Yoga @ Le Doggie Cool, on Sat, 29 Aug, 11:30–12:30
A one-hour yoga class led by @sunnyauura at the Williamsburg dog café — dogs welcome on the mat alongside you, no dog required to attend. A Saturday morning that earns whatever comes after it.
RUN & RESCUE 002 @ Little Italy, on Sat, 29 Aug, 08:00–12:30
A run-and-workout club morning closing with a dog adoption meet-and-greet with Second Chance Rescue — proceeds benefit the rescue, and the morning gives you something to feel good about on both counts.
The Family Jam: Live Music and Puppy Play Time @ Union Square, on Sat, 29 Aug, 12:00–16:00
Live local music paired with puppy play time in the heart of Union Square — Early Bird and VIP ticket tiers available. A Saturday afternoon in the middle of the city that gives your dog four hours of exactly this.
Muddy Paws Adoption Event @ Petco Union Square, on Sat, 29 Aug, 11:00–14:30
Meet adoptable Muddy Paws dogs with the rescue team on-site — every dog comes straight from a foster home, which means you get real insight into who they actually are before committing.
Frenchies of Chelsea Meetup @ Madison Square Park, on Sat, 29 Aug, 09:00–10:30
The weekly Saturday morning French Bulldog meetup at Madison Square Park — an early start, a familiar crowd, and the park before the rest of the city arrives.
Rescue Puppy Yoga @ Woof Wellness, on Sat, 29 Aug, 12:15–14:30
The final August puppy yoga sessions at the Flatiron studio — rescue puppies from Rescue City provided by the studio, not brought by attendees, with two back-to-back classes running through the afternoon. All proceeds support Rescue City.
Poodle Doods Paws at the Pitch @ Maimonides Park, on Sat, 29 Aug, 17:00–21:00
Brooklyn Football Club invites Poodle Doods and their pups to a one-night-only soccer match at Maimonides Park — pre-game pawrade around the field before kickoff. A Saturday evening at Coney Island that gives your dog a stadium moment.
Sunday August 30th
Paddle Pups Kayak Tours @ Manhattan Community Boathouse, on Sun, 30 Aug, 11:00–13:00
Guided tandem kayak excursions along the Hudson River waterfront built specifically for dog owners and their dogs — a two-hour Sunday morning on the water on the Manhattan side.
Un Verano Sin Leash: Bad Bunny Brunch @ Boris & Horton, on Sun, 30 Aug, 11:00–14:00
The final Sunday of the Bad Bunny brunch series — a themed spread with a brunch entrée for you and one for your dog, running one last time before September arrives. A send-off worth showing up for.
Paint With Pups @ Le Doggie Cool, on Sun, 30 Aug, 13:00–15:00
A paint-and-sip at the Williamsburg dog café where the dogs are in the room with you — paint dog portraits while actual dogs wander the space alongside you. A Sunday afternoon that produces something worth keeping.
Raise the Woof: SOS Save Our Shelter Summer Party @ Han Dynasty / Spicy Moon, on Sun, 30 Aug, 13:00–18:00
Korean K9 Rescue's summer fundraiser in Long Island City — vegan dining, dog wading pools, gelato stations, and adoption opportunities, with every ticket supporting a $100,000 campaign to restore the rescue's South Korea center. A Sunday afternoon with real stakes behind it.
Monday August 31st
Pet Psychic Pop-Up @ PS9 Pets, on Mon, 31 Aug, 16:00–20:00
A pet psychic pop-up at the Williamsburg pet store for Brooklyn dog owners curious what their dog would say if they could talk. A Monday afternoon that finally gives your dog the floor.
Love Island Watch Party @ Sojourn Social, on Mon, 31 Aug, 20:00–22:00
A Love Island reunion watch party at the UES dog bar — cocktail attire, themed food, and your dog under the table while you catch the finale. OpenTable reservation must include a "reunion" note to secure your spot.
Tuesday September 1st
Café y Chisme @ Boris & Horton, on Tue, 1 Sep, 18:00–19:00
A coffee-and-conversation hangout kicking off another round of community programming at the East Village dog café — the kind of Tuesday evening that starts a new season right.
Cellar Dog Billiards Tournament @ Cellar Dog, on Tue, 1 Sep, 18:30–20:30
A billiards tournament at the West Village's beloved dog bar — sponsored beer for contestants and a swag bag for whoever takes the title. Your dog settles into the red leather booths while you run the table.
Fashion shows, parades, kayaking, yoga, and a whole city celebrating your dog on Wednesday. Get out there and make the most of it.
And if something's been on your mind about your pup, hit reply and send it in. It might be the next question we take to an expert.
See you out there 🐾
