The Edmonton Humane Society's annual Howl-O-Ween is back, and it might be the most pet-forward Halloween event in Alberta. It runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25 at the society's home at 13620 163rd St. NW, it's completely free, and no tickets are needed — just show up, ideally with a dog in costume.
The programme is genuinely varied. There's a costume contest for humans and animals alike, a sniff-and-find maze (think corn maze, but nose-led), a dog agility course, a ninja warrior course, inflatables, face painting, airbrush tattoos, a photobooth and an Adopt-A-Stuffie activity for kids who want a plush pet of their own. For something spookier, pet psychics will be on site reading the minds of Edmonton's furriest residents.
The main draw for many is the Howl-O-Weenie Races, hosted by Alberta Dachshund Rescue, where dachshunds sprint head-to-head while the crowd loses its mind. Owners can register their sausage dog online until noon on Oct. 22, or sign up on the day. There will also be exclusive seasonal Edmonton Humane Society merchandise and new-for-this-year Boo Baskets — goodie boxes with a Halloween twist.
Food trucks will cover lunch and snacks: Canadian Mapleshack for maple-syrup treats, Flipside BBQ for smoked meat, and Ukrainian House Food for perogies and the rest.
While entry costs nothing, organisers ask guests to consider bringing a donation for their Stuff-A-Van drive — pet toys and non-perishable pet-related items are welcome, and the society's online Gift in Kind Item Wish List lists exactly what they can and can't take. Every donation goes toward animals in the society's care, so it's an easy way to give back while enjoying the day.
For travellers, this is a solid excuse to be in Edmonton in late October. It's a family-friendly, pet-friendly morning or afternoon that pairs nicely with the city's other autumn offerings, and it doubles as a chance to support one of Alberta's biggest animal shelters. If you're road-tripping through Alberta in fall, the timing lines up nicely with leaf-peeping and waterfall season elsewhere in the province.
