You’ve been thinking about it for months now: the dog-sized costume that will have every onlooker oohing and ahhing at your pup on Halloween. But how can you make sure your Instagram followers aren’t the only ones who get to enjoy your pet’s perfect outfit this October?
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of fall festivals and Halloween activities in Denver, where your pup can show off their look this year. The metro is full of pet parades and costume contests that will let Denver, Colorado, dogs strut their stuff, socialize, and potentially take home some prizes.
Dog Costume Contests in Central Denver
Howl-o-Ween Pet Parade
Denver Union Station
1701 Wynkoop St., Denver
- When: Noon to 3 p.m., Oct. 26
Get scary, goofy, or off-the-wall creative with your dog costume at one of the best pet parades in Denver, where pups and parents can celebrate the season in style. Organizers will hand out prizes for the best-dressed pooches, but humans don’t have to feel left out — 2024’s list of winners featured several collaborative pet-owner costumes that were absolutely brilliant.
The Denver Nook Pet Parade
2025 Tennyson Street Fall Fest
Tennyson Street at 44th Ave., Denver
- When: 9:30 a.m., Oct. 18
- Registration: Register online here
Look, the Tennyson Street Fall Fest is always a crowd pleaser on its own — there’s all kinds of incredible local vendors, food, performers, and activities to enjoy every year. But the Denver Nook Pet Parade really ratchets up the festival’s entertainment factor when 200+ pets hit the streets to show off their incredible accessories (seriously — take a look at last year’s costume contest winner). If you’re interested in participating, make sure to register for the Denver pet parade and costume contest ahead of time to qualify for prizes. Also, this event is for a great cause — it benefits the Colorado Pet Pantry, so you kind of have to compete, right?
Growloween
Three Dog Bakery
1503 Boulder St., Denver
- When: The costume contest runs noon-3:30 p.m., Oct. 25, though the entire event is noon-6 p.m.
- Price: Costume contest is free; Trick-or-treat starts at $15/dog
- Registration: Tickets are available here
Growloween is a one-stop shop for Halloween activities in Denver, since canine attendees can trick-or-treat and participate in a costume contest. If you’re not into trick-or-treating, make sure to show up at the bakery (where they’ll be offering special treats) and enter the contest, which will award prizes for a group costume and for small, medium, and large dogs. If you’re all in on exploring the neighborhood through the trick-or-treat event, make sure to register online and arrive at your ticketed time so you and your pup can wander LoHi and grab drinks and treats at participating locations.
Denver Dog Days 2025
Sloans Lake
1700 N. Sheridan, Denver
- When: Check-in for the costume contest starts at noon, Oct. 11; the full event runs noon-5 p.m.
- Price: The event is free
- Registration: RSVP is optional here
Dog Days is one of the metro’s top canine occasions every year, but did you know it’s also home to another of Denver’s top dog costume contests? That’s right: Dog Days is partnering with Denver Nook to host a pet parade and costume contest at this year’s event, which will also feature a live DJ along with food, drinks, and dog goodies for purchase. Plus, you’ll have the chance to do some good — proceeds are going toward Soul Dog Rescue, and Dog Days will feature adoptable pups who are ready to head home with new families.
Dog Costume Contests in Northwest Denver
2025 Lafayette Fall Harvest Festival
Lafayette, CO
Along N. Harrison St. between East Simpson and East Geneseo
- When: Pet parade begins at 11 a.m., Oct. 25; full event is 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Price: The event is free, though the recommended parade registration donation is $5
- Registration: Register for the parade here
The Lafayette Fall Harvest Festival promises autumnal fun for the entire family — Rover included. Bring the dogs and the kids out for local food and artisan shopping, a kids’ art contest and activities, a pumpkin patch and petting zoo, live music, and of course, a pup parade. Meet up at the Lafayette History Museum for a pre-parade check-in — and to get a doggie treat bag. Make sure to bring your A-game and maybe a few dollars for the recommended registration fee, which will go toward RezDawg Rescue.
Dog Costume Contests in Southeast Denver
Trick or Treat on Havana Street
Aurora Police Department District 1 Substation – Gardens on Havana
1250 S. Ironton St. #120, Aurora
- When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 25
- Price: Free
- Registration: Register at the police station day-of
If you’re looking for family- and dog-friendly Halloween parties in the Denver metro, search no further: Trick or Treat on Havana Street has everything you need. This ever-exciting Aurora district will offer trick-or-treating at more than 30 Gardens On Havana Shopping Center businesses that will be handing out locally-purchased candy (thanks to the incredible diversity of Havana Street, it’s a great chance to try sweets from all over the globe). Plus, the costume contest will give everyone a chance to win. Seriously: Head to the police station to enter kid, adult, group, and dog costume contests, all of which offer some incredible gift card prizes.
Dog Costume Contests in West Denver
Woof-o-Ween + Pawrade
BarBox at Aspen Grove
7301 S. Santa Fe Dr. #860, Littleton
- When: The costume contest is at 2:30 p.m., Oct. 12; the entire event runs noon-3 p.m.
- Price: $10 for one dog, $20 for two to five dogs
- Registration: Register online here
Get ready to see some over-the-top cuteness at BarBox’s Pawrade, where pups and owners will walk (or ride, via wagon or stroller) a short route around Aspen Grove. Attendees will really get the most out of their outfits, which they can also show off at the event’s Barkin’ Market — full of canine-centric vendors — and of course, the costume contest. Every costumed dog will get to strut their stuff and compete for Scariest Costume, Best Owner & Dog, and Most Creative/DIY Costume (all of which come with prizes for first, second, and third place). Plus, judges will bestow a Best-in-Show pooch with that enviable title — and a $500 prize (that winner must also have participated in the Pawrade).
Howl-oween
Paws ‘n’ Play
5545 Olde Wadsworth Blvd. Unit A, Arvada
- When: The costume contest starts at 2 p.m., Oct. 26; the entire event runs 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Price: $15 for trick-or-treating
- Registration: Register at the pet store day-of
This local business-hosted Halloween event is sure to be a party — especially since dogs and cats are welcome! Registration will start at 11 a.m. at Paws ‘n’ Play, then attendees will make their way to Olde Town Arvada to enjoy some human and pet treats. At 2 p.m., the costume contest will kick off at the Community Banks of Colorado parking lot, where decked-out pets will compete for prizes. Like all of 2025’s best costume contests in Denver, CO, Paws ‘n’ Play’s event will benefit a good cause, with proceeds going toward local food pantry Community Table.