Barktoberfest Is Back! Join Us for A Day of Dogs, Community & A Cause That Matters
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 17! Hill Country Animal League’s 6th Annual Barktoberfest is returning to Boerne Main Plaza for a full day of four-legged fun, local flavor, and community, all in support of pets and families throughout the Texas Hill Country.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Barktoberfest will transform the heart of Boerne into an Oktoberfest-inspired celebration featuring dog races, creative costumes, adoptable pets, local vendors, food, music, family activities, and plenty of wagging tails.
Admission is free, so bring the family, and your dog, and join us!
More Than a Festival: A Community Coming Together for Pets
Barktoberfest is Hill Country Animal League’s premier annual fundraising event, but what makes the day special goes far beyond raising money. It’s a chance to see HCAL’s mission come to life.
Hill Country Animal League is a community-powered organization bringing pet care, resources, and people together to strengthen animal welfare across the Hill Country. Through our spay and neuter clinic, thrift store, rescue partnerships, volunteers, donors, and community events like Barktoberfest, every program advances our mission to improve animal welfare, support responsible pet ownership, and ensure pets and the people who love them have the resources they need to thrive.
Every dollar raised at Barktoberfest helps HCAL continue providing affordable, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries and wellness services to pets and families throughout our community. So when you enter your pup in a race, bid on a silent auction item, or simply spend the afternoon enjoying the festival, you’re also helping make pet care more accessible to your neighbors.
Ready, Set…BARK!
Some of Barktoberfest’s most popular four-legged competitors will be back this year.
The Doggy Dash Races invite pups to show off their speed as they race toward the finish line for prizes—and bragging rights.
And then there are the dachshunds. The always-popular Dachshund Races return for another year of short legs, big determination, and the wonderfully unpredictable chaos that has made them a Barktoberfest crowd favorite.
Have a pup whose talents lean more toward fashion than athletics? The Costume Contest gives dogs a chance to strut their stuff in their funniest, cutest, spookiest, or most creative looks.
Costume Contest activities begin at 11 a.m., followed by the Doggy Dash at 12:30 p.m. and Dachshund Races at 1:30 p.m. Advance registration is available, and participants can also register at the event.
Celebrate Second Chances—and Maybe Meet Your New Best Friend
Barktoberfest is also about celebrating the pets who make our lives better. The Adopted Pet Parade celebrates rescue animals and the families who gave them their second chance. It’s a heartwarming reminder of what can happen when communities come together on behalf of animals in need.
Local rescue organizations will also be on-site with adoptable cats and dogs looking for forever homes. You may arrive planning for a fun Saturday in Boerne and leave having met a new member of the family!
Food, Local Vendors, Family Fun & More
There’s plenty to enjoy even if your dog prefers spectating.
Throughout the day, visitors can explore local vendors offering pet products, handmade goods, gifts, and more; enjoy food trucks and local craft beer; visit the petting zoo; and participate in activities for children, including face painting and arts and crafts.
You’ll also have opportunities to support HCAL through the silent auction and raffles, featuring unique items, gift baskets, and local experiences.
It all adds up to a day designed for the whole community, whether you come with two legs or four.
Plan Your Barktoberfest Saturday
The 6th Annual Barktoberfest takes place:
Saturday, October 17, 2026
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Boerne Main Plaza
Admission: FREE
Dogs are welcome and must remain on a leash six feet or shorter. Please make sure your pet is current on vaccinations, comfortable around crowds and other animals, and under your control throughout the event. Water stations and shaded rest areas will be available around the Plaza.
Barktoberfest is a rain-or-shine event.
Come for the Fun. Be Part of the Mission. Come race. Come cheer. Come shop, eat, adopt, volunteer, or simply spend the day with your favorite four-legged companion.
However you participate, you’re helping HCAL keep affordable spay/neuter and wellness care within reach for pets and families throughout the Hill Country. Visit HCALtx.org/Barktoberfest to learn more and to register your dog for the races or costume contest.