Barktoberfest 2026

One Festival, a Whole Community Showing Up.

Barktoberfest is the Central Texas SPCA's yearly festival, and this year is the 24th. It takes place on Saturday, October 17, at Veteran's Memorial Park in Cedar Park, and everyone in the community is invited to come out and join in.

The day starts with a one mile walk, and dogs are welcome. From there it is costume contests for dogs and kids, dog contests like Pup Cup Eating and Silly Skills, a silent auction, vendors, food, and a chance to meet the animals waiting on their forever homes.

Freccia Construction is one of the event's Platinum Sponsors. We are also building the SPCA's new shelter in Leander, so this is one more way for us to show up for the same mission. You can read that story here: A New Home for Tails of Hope.

The Day at a Glance

• 9:00 am Registration opens
• 9:30 am Festival opens
• 10:00 am The one mile dog walk begins
• 11:00 am Pup Cup Eating contest
• 11:30 am Dog costume contest
• 12:00 pm Silly Skills contest
• 12:30 pm Kids contest, ages 8 and under
• 1:00 pm Kids contest, ages 9 to 12
• 2:00 pm Festival ends

Registration is required to receive the event t-shirt and swag bag. Register and see every detail on the Central Texas SPCA's Barktoberfest page.

One Week Later: The Fast and Furriest 5K

On Saturday, October 24, the SPCA hosts its chip timed Fast and Furriest 5K at Brushy Creek Lake Park in Cedar Park, starting at 8:30 am. Every entrant gets a medal, and there are prizes for the winners. Find out more and sign up here.

Every sign up, every walker, and every neighbor who comes out helps the SPCA care for animals across Central Texas. We hope to see you there. Below are a few of the animals the SPCA looks after.