Today · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Ink illustration: dancers in Halloween costumes perform in a city street while a dog in a pumpkin costume watches

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 · Lead story

Thriller flash mob in Old Town Alexandria to benefit Lucky Dog Animal Rescue on Oct. 17

By The Barker Staff · Via The Zebra

A costumed Thriller dance flash mob takes over King and Union streets in Old Town on Saturday, Oct. 17, with makeup starting at 3 p.m. and the performance at 5 p.m. Proceeds after expenses go to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, which funds foster care, medical treatment and transport for dogs and cats from high-risk shelters.

Ink illustration: dogs in Halloween costumes walk a carpet in a city park while owners watch

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 · Via MoCA Arlington

MoCA Arlington hosts free dog costume contest at Metropolitan Park on Oct. 22

The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington brings its Howl-ween event to Metropolitan Park on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m., with a red carpet dog costume contest hosted by PuppyLuv and winners announced at 6:45 p.m. The free evening also includes pet caricatures, Polaroid portraits, a live DJ and a station to decorate a bow tie or bandana.

The Weekend Pawcast

Engraving of a dog trotting through a sunny park

Thursday · Oct 15 · Rain likely · 64° / 57° · Rain 72%

Rain likely: a wet one, short loops and a good towel-down.

Friday · Oct 16 · Chance of showers · 80° / 46° · Rain 45%

Showers likely: muddy paws, towel by the door.

Saturday · Oct 17 · Sunny · 55° / 37° · Rain 7%

Crisp and sunny: a prime park day, chilly start.

Sunday · Oct 18 · Sunny · 60° / 39° · Rain 0%

Frosty morning grass, then gorgeous midday trails.

National Weather Service forecast for the Herndon and Fairfax area, updated Oct 14. See this weekend’s dog-friendly events →

This Weekend

See the full weekend guide →

The Barker’s Take

Big Dogs, Longer Waits

By The Barker Staff · October 14, 2026

Ask any shelter worker which dogs watch the most weekends come and go, and the answer is rarely the puppies. It is the big dogs: the 50-pound shepherd mix who needs room to burn off steam, the older lab who would rather have a couch than an adventure. This week, Alexandria's shelter waived adoption fees for dogs 40 pounds and up, and it is worth pausing on why programs like that exist. Big dogs eat more, take up more space, and get passed over for smaller, easier fits, even when their temperaments are the steadiest in the building. If your home has the room, this is the season to look twice at the dog everyone else walked past. The right big dog does not just fill a house. It fills the whole routine, in the finest way.

The Barker Poll

What is your dog wearing for Halloween?

One vote per reader, please. Results run in next Wednesday’s Barker.

See this weekend's costume contests →

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Ink illustration: empty festival tents in a waterfront park under rain clouds

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 · Via Alexandria Living Magazine

Paws in the Park in Alexandria postponed over storm forecast, new date pending

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria festival set for Sunday, Oct. 11 at Oronoco Bay Park was postponed after forecasts called for heavy rain, flooding and strong winds. Organizers say they are working with the city on another Sunday date, which has not been announced yet.

Ink illustration: a dog wearing a marigold garland at a blessing ceremony

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 · Via The Chronicles of Nepal

Kukur Tihar dog festival returns to Manassas on Oct. 25

Prince William County Animal Services will host the annual Kukur Tihar USA Festival on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to noon at its Bristow Road facility in Manassas. The family event honors dogs with a blessing ceremony and traditional tika marks, plus adoption and pet resources on site.

Ink illustration: families with leashed dogs at a neighborhood pet festival

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 · Via Northern Virginia Magazine

Fairlington holds its first pet festival Oct. 17 in Arlington

The free Fairlington Fall Pet Festival runs Saturday, Oct. 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Fairlington Community Center in Arlington. Rescue and shelter groups, pet vendors, live music, family activities and a blessing of the animals at 1:30 p.m. are planned.

Ink illustration: runners and walkers with dogs on a park path at a charity run

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 · Via ALXnow

Dior's Dash run and walk in Alexandria to fund rescue medical care on Oct. 17

Wiggles Way Rescue holds Dior's Dash on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria, with registrations, sponsorships and donations building a medical fund for future rescue emergencies. The event honors a dog named Dior and aims to help the rescue cover urgent care when the next case arrives.

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Ink illustration: service dogs seated in a row beside their veteran handlers at a graduation ceremony

Sunday, October 11, 2026 · Via Prince William Living

Semper K9 holds 25th graduation, placing five dogs with veterans and military families

The Quantico-based nonprofit marked its 25th graduation ceremony at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce in Manassas, pairing four service dogs and one family support dog with veterans and military families at no charge. Semper K9 trains rescued and donated dogs to assist disabled veterans with psychiatric alert and mobility needs.

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Ink illustration: Dogtopia opens second NoVA location in Ashburn

Saturday, October 10, 2026 · Via PR Newswire

Dogtopia opens second NoVA location in Ashburn

Longtime local owners Art Prediger and Taylor James, whose journey started with a fearful rescue dog named Zoe, have opened Dogtopia of Ashburn at Loudoun Station for daycare, boarding, and spa services.

We link to the original reporting and summarize in our own words. Spotted a story we missed? Let us know.