10-21-2025 11:17am

The Biggest Fest Is

Celebrating 21 Years of Baltimore's Largest Pet-Friendly Festival on Saturday, October 25, 2025

BARCStoberfest is an annual, large-scale, pet-friendly festival and fundraiser that benefits the lifesaving programs and animal care at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS).

The Patterson Park festival includes the annual "Ready, Set, SNIFF!" 5K Run/Half-Mile Pet Parade, Howl-o-Ween Pet Costume Contest, Barkin' Beer Garden vendors, kids’ activities, and more! Fundraising leading up to BARCStoberfest raises critical funding for Maryland’s highest volume, an open-admission shelter serving 12,000 animals per year. Our goal this year is $375,000, so please join us to raise funds for our community's needy animals.

2025 Participant Swag

No matter how you choose to participate—running the 5K, parading with your pet, enjoying the festival, or fundraising from home—everyone who registers and either donates or raises at least $50 will receive our signature BARCStoberfest swag bag!

Included with your $50:

Ultra-soft commemorative T-shirt
Doggie bandana
Free drink in the Barkin’ Beer Garden (or a kid-friendly treat!)

Whether you're lacing up or lounging with your laptop, you're helping save lives—and getting some awesome thank-you gear, too!

What is BARCStoberfest?

BARCStoberfest is a beloved annual festival and fundraiser that supports the lifesaving work of BARCS, Maryland’s largest open-admission animal shelter. Each year, we gather in Patterson Park for a day of running, walking, pet parading, fundraising, and fun to help save the lives of more than 12,000 homeless animals.

This year’s event includes the Ready, Set, SNIFF! 5K Run, the new Half-Mile Pet Parade, a dog-friendly beer garden with live music, Halloween costume contests, food trucks, vendors, adoptable pets, and activities for all ages.

When and where is BARCStoberfest 2025?

Date: Saturday, October 25

Location: Patterson Park, Baltimore

Schedule of Events:

8:30 AM – Registration/Check-in opens for 5K + Half-Mile Pet Parade

10:00 AM – “Ready, Set…Sniff!” 5K begins

~10:00 AM – Half-Mile Pet Parade begins (right after the 5K starts)

10:00 AM – Festival opens (food trucks, shopping market, adoptable pets, kids’ tent, games + more)

11:00 AM–3:00 PM – Beer Garden open with live music

11:00 AM – 5K Awards @ Main Stage

12:00 PM – Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest @ Main Stage

2:00 PM – Festival concludes

There's something fun for everyone at the 21st Annual BARCStoberfest on Saturday, October 25 in Baltimore's beautiful Patterson Park!

Barkin' Beer GardenDrink local craft beers, cocktails, wine and non-alcoholic options with your pup by your side in the Barkin' Beer Garden, sponsored by the Baltimore Ravens. Enjoy it all while overlooking Baltimore's best view of the city and listening to live music!

Howl-O-Ween Costume ContestThe Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest, sponsored by APG Federal Credit Union, will take place at 12:00 p.m. on the main stage. Participation is FREE this year! Please register online ahead of the event for one of the categories (Best Pair, Best Group, Best Halloween Theme).

"Ready, Set, SNIFF!" 5K & ParadeYou can run or walk as a team with your four-legged friend, just as yourself or with your fundraising teammates in "Ready, Set, SNIFF!" sponsored by Cyndi Kuhn, State Farm Agent. 5K participants must register through RunSignUp. Parade participants must first register on the BARCStoberfest site. Registration includes a commemorative T-shirt, doggie bandana, and a free drink in the beer garden!

Kids TentThere's something for everyone at BARCStoberfest! Our littlest attendees can stop by the Kids Tent, sponsored by Puppie Love, for family fun. Coloring pages, a craft station, and face painting are just a few of the fun activities for kids to enjoy at the festival!

Other Fun Festival ActivitiesBARCS'cade Triple Lucky Puppy Slot Machine, Sponsored by Bingo WorldPup Cup Station, Sponsored by Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical SpecialistsBARCS Adoptable Pets, Sponsored by Alex Spektor FoundationFree Pet Friendly Photo Station, Sponsored by Subaru Loves PetsDog Fist Aid Tent, Sponsored by Pet+ E.R.Swag Bags, Sponsored by ProMD HealthFood Trucks, Sponsored by VCA Animal HospitalsShopping MarketBARCS Bake Sale...and more!Head to the BARCStoberfest website to learn more and we hope to see you on October 25! www.barcstoberfest.org

How do I participate?

You can join BARCStoberfest in several ways:

Run the 5K by registering through RunSignUp
Join the Half-Mile Pet Parade by signing up on BARCStoberfest.org (the button on the navigation above!)
Fundraise only—no need to attend the walk or run (use that same button above to register!)
Attend the festival (we still encourage you to fundraise...with the button above!)
Enter the Pet Costume Contest
Sponsor, vend, or volunteer! (Links in navigation)

What happened to the 1-Mile Walk?

To make the event more spirited and accessible, we’ve replaced the 1-Mile Walk with the new Half-Mile Pet Parade—a shorter, festive stroll through the park where pets and people can show off costumes and personality. The parade now ends right in the heart of the festival, which helps reduce extra walking after the route ends. This change was made with our community’s feedback in mind: each year, we heard from participants using wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers—as well as those with senior pets or limited mobility—that the old route was just a little too far. We wanted to ensure that more people have the chance to participate in the fun this year. Prefer the classic 1-mile loop? Sign up for the 5K Run and simply walk the first loop—it’s the same path we’ve used for two decades!

What does the $50 fundraising minimum include?

Whether you’re running or walking, your $50 fundraising goal gets you:

This year’s commemorative BARCStoberfest T-shirt
A doggie bandana
One free drink in the beer garden (or a kid-friendly treat)

This minimum can be met by collecting donations from friends and family or by making a direct donation yourself.

Where do I park?

Free street parking is available around Patterson Park. Linwood Ave may be closed for the Lantern Festival that same night, so check our event map closer to the event for suggested parking zones near the race and festival entrances.

Where and when do I get my shirt and swag bag?

Swag bags are available for pickup at the event or at early packet pickup locations—here are the dates and times for early pickup:

October 21: BARCStoberfest Packet Pickup at PetSmart Towson, 1238 Putty Hill Ave, from 4–8PM (adoptable animals onsite!)
October 22: BARCStoberfest Packet Pickup at Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 E 30th St, from 5:30–7:30PM
October 23: BARCStoberfest Packet Pickup at Road Runner Sports Columbia, from 5:30–7:30PM

Can kids participate?

Yes! The festival is family-friendly and includes a Kids’ Tent with crafts, pet rock painting, “treats-or-treats” stations, and other activities. Children may also walk in the Pet Parade with their families.

Do I need a pet to attend?

No pet? No problem! You can still walk, run, fundraise, or just enjoy the festival. All animal lovers are welcome.

How do I register for the costume contest?

This year’s Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest is online registration only! Spaces are limited, so sign up early. Categories include:

Best Pair (pet + human)
Best Group (3+ people or pets)
Best Halloween Theme

If spots remain, limited same-day registration may be available at the main stage.

Can I access the beer garden if I’m not a runner or walker?

Yes! Anyone 21+ with valid ID can enjoy the beer garden. Participants get a free drink ticket, and additional beverages or all-inclusive wristbands ($40) can be purchased at the event.