Events for four-legged friends have absolutely boomed in popularity over the past few years, with new festivals popping up every year. We’ve been to our fair share of dog events, and while each one appears to offer similar activities (games, breed meet ups, celebrity appearances etc.) we’ve found that, surprisingly, no two are ever the same! With so many dates for different dog festivals all over England this year, we’ve narrowed down our favourites to help you find the best dog events in your area in 2025.
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Crufts. 6th-9th March, The NEC, Birmingham
Beginning with arguably one of the most prestigious dog shows, Crufts takes place over four days and features a wide range of dog competitions in their world-famous arena. The Best in Show category sees top dogs from each breed group compete for the coveted title, bringing the weekend to a close as the final event of the day. Last year’s event attracted 150,000 visitors – and that’s just the humans! Crufts is a hub for professional dog handlers and dog enthusiasts alike, with a diverse range of stalls and expert advice from Kennel Club registered breeders and trainers.
New for 2025, there’s an opportunity to meet over 200 different dog breeds at Discover Dogs! We’ve previously attended their stand-alone event before it became integrated with Crufts, spending a full day learning about all the different dog breeds and their personalities, from Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus, to Bernese Mountain dogs and lesser-known breeds like the hairless Mexican Xoloitzcuintle. Discover Dogs is a fantastic way to find the right breed for your lifestyle and get first-hand knowledge from the dog’s owners, while spending some time interacting with the doggos! Only assistance dogs and those registered to take part in events are permitted at Crufts, so it’s the perfect way to get your doggy fix during the weekend. Tickets from £23, find more information on the Crufts website.
Goodwoof. 17th-18th May, Goodwood, West Sussex
Taking place at The Kennels on the Goodwood estate, Goodwoof is a weekend of upper-class fun for dogs and their owners. There are so many events and exclusive activities at Goodwoof that we have no idea how they’re fitting everything into just two days! There’s dog yoga classes and woodland walks with the opportunity for forest bathing, a Dachshund parade lead by the Duke of Richmond, Fido’s Lido where dogs can cool off, and even tarot card readings for your four-legged friends!
Returning for 2025, visitors can enjoy the spectacular Field and Trial displays from world-class sheepdogs and gun dogs with impressive demonstrations throughout the weekend. For those with posh pooches, Chien Charmant celebrates distinctive style, honouring the most fashionable dogs and their owners. You can also upgrade your ticket to include a tour of Goodwood House, where you’ll enjoy afternoon tea in the Grand Ballroom and, of course, your dog will receive plenty of treats too! If your dog is more the outdoors type, you can book an exclusive Fortnum and Mason hamper to enjoy in the grounds, or head to the Taittinger Champagne bar for a glass of champagne while relaxing in their deck chairs. Whether your dog is a purebred or a bit of a mongrel, Goodwoof is an incredible weekend for everyone! Earlybird tickets from £30, find more information on the Goodwoof website.
Dog Fest. Various dates and locations
This year, Dog Fest are hosting 7 of their events up and down the country, from Loseley Park in Surrey all the way up to Harewood House in Yorkshire, so there’s a good chance there’s a Dog Fest event near you! We think this is one of the unique draws for the event, as so many festivals take place in one location over one weekend in the year, making it difficult for some to attend if the event is too far away to feasibly travel there. We’ve attended Dog Fest on multiple occasions on our travels and it’s a fantastic day out, with a vibrant atmosphere no matter the location.
The four-legged friends we took along with us were spoilt with lots of treats from stall vendors, and were able to take part in competitions like hay bale races and themed agility courses! There’s a variety of have-a-go activities so your dogs can get involved no matter their age or size. There are breed meet-ups, opportunities to meet celebrities and famous dog-fluencers, as well as lots of stalls full of food, accessories and gifts to treat your pooch. If you’re thinking of attending Dog Fest in 2025, check out our full Dog Fest review! Tickets start at £17.50, find more information on the Dog Fest website.
All About Dogs. Various dates and locations
Another fantastic festival at 5 different locations throughout the year, including events in Newbury, Suffolk and Essex. As well as the usual arena displays, live music, shopping opportunities and competitions, one of our favourite elements of All About Dogs is their Fun Dog Show! There are almost 50 categories to enter so every dog has a chance to take home a rosette, from waggiest tail and best paw shaker, to owner who looks like their dog! Your pooch could even qualify for Best in Show at the end of the day.
For those looking to enjoy the full weekend, you can book a camping pass for you and your four-legged friends! Admission to the event is included in the price of your camping pass, so you can bring a motorhome, campervan or tent and pitch up to come and go from the festival as you please. Perfect for pooches who like to take things slow, or need to take breaks from crowds. Tickets start at £14, find more information on the All About Dogs website.
Edition Dog Live. 6th July, NAEC Stoneleigh, Coventry
From the creators of Edition Dog magazine, Edition Dog Live is the UK’s only event dedicated to dog health, wellbeing, behaviour and nutrition. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind event and as such, it offers more unique activities than dog shows and festivals. Visitors will have the chance to learn dog first aid, get advice on dog health, training and nutrition at the Professionals Village, and explore a wide range of stalls offering the latest in dog care from established brands such as Butternut Box, Lickimat, and My Anxious Dog.
Renowned rescue centre Dog’s Trust are hosting the Rescue Support Hub inside the event this year, where prospective rescue dog adopters and those who have recently welcomed a rescue into their lives can find support and advice in this dedicated area. The event space itself covers 1,000 acres, so there’s plenty of space for you to exercise your dogs as well as wider aisles to allow owners and pooches to give each other space. If your dog needs some quiet time, the Dog Chill Out zone provides a calm space to retreat to. For a fun treat, there’s the Picnic Party where a team of passionate pet nutrition advocates guide you and your dog through a taste-tasting adventure that’s meticulously crafted to give your dog all the nutrients they need. What more could a dog want? Tickets start at £14, find more information on the Edition Dog Live website.
London Pet Show Live. 20-21st September, Olympia, London
New for this year, the London Pet Show is an eclectic mix of all things animal. Featuring a guinea pig village as well as small animal, bird, and reptile zones, there’s also plenty for dog lovers to enjoy. With famous faces such as The Yorkshire Vet Dr. Peter Wright, and host of ‘Dogs Behaving Badly’ Graeme Hall scheduled to appear, there are talks from these experts in their fields as well as book signings opportunities.
There’s a dog grooming area where you can learn all the best practices for ensuring your dog will never fear a trip to the groomers again, including tips on which products to use and understanding your dog’s skin and fur type. Cainark Dog Training will be taking over the Dog Activity Arena with live dog training sessions, including crowd participation, as well as having their team at their stall to answer questions you might have about any training issues with your dog. With so much happening for dogs and other animals, it’s a great day out for families and one to watch in the future as the event grows. Tickets start at £24, find more information on the London Pet Show Live website.
Paws in the Park. 17th-18th May, South Of England Showground, West Sussex. 20th-21st September, The Kent Showground, Kent
Our final recommendation has two event dates, one in Spring in Ardingly, West Sussex, and the other in Autumn in Detling, Kent. Both events share the same activities and competitions, so no matter which one you choose your dog won’t miss out! There are gun dog scurries, the K9 Aquazone for larger dogs, and Mini Paws activities for small dogs, as well as competitions for your dog to compete in and showcase their abilities in flyball, agility and athletics.
The Kent Barn Hunt provide a fun space for you to work together with your pooch to sniff out a trail of hidden scents, no matter your dog’s breed or size. Back for 2025, the Grooming Grand Slam sees the country’s most talented dog groomers compete for the title of Grand Slam Champion. Expect to see creative and intricate work as the groomers pull off gorgeous pooch transformations! Tickets start at £14, find more information on the Paws in the Park website.
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