Pre-registered tickets are available until 11:59 PM on Friday, Oct. 16. After that point, tickets will be available for purchase at check-in (Quackenbush Square, near 683 Broadway), from 11:30 AM-2:00 PM on event day (Saturday, Oct. 17).
On Saturday, October 17, ghoulish golden retrievers, devilish dachshunds, and terrifying terriers will return to roam the streets of downtown Albany for the BID's annual dog trick-or-treating event: Hounds of Halloween! This paw-some annual event features a Canine Costume Contest with prizes for the winners, dog trick-or-treating at dozens of Downtown Albany businesses, an adorable Puppy Parade around Clinton Market Collective, and Yappy Hour specials at participating bars and restaurants.
SCHEDULE
12:00 PM | Check-in and day-of registration starts at Quackenbush Square
12:00 PM-4:00 PM | Hounds of Halloween trick-or-treating
12:00 PM-3:00 PM | Canine Costume Contest
3:00 PM I Puppy Parade at Clinton Market Collective (step off at ~3:15 PM)
4:00 PM-6:00 PM | Yappy Hour at participating bars & restaurants
REGISTRATION
Registration is per dog, and $15 in advance through Eventeny or $20 at the event. Purchase tickets with Eventeny.
Your registration includes:
• Entry for you and your dog into the Canine Costume Contest, with great prizes for the winners
• Participation in downtown Albany's first Puppy Parade at Clinton Market Collective
• The official Hounds of Halloween trick-or-treating map guide with all the participating stops throughout Downtown Albany
• Exclusive Hounds of Halloween trick-or-treating tote bag and giveaways
• Access to great Yappy Hour specials at participating bars and restaurants
CANINE COSTUME CONTEST
Info & Guidelines:
• Costumes are a must for dogs, and highly encouraged for humans, too!
• When completing your registration, you will choose from the available time blocks to have your Canine Costume Contest photo taken. Please arrive at the photo booth at the start of your time block to get in line to have your photo taken.
• When you arrive at the photo area, show your numbered ticket to the photographer or event staff member present.
• Strike your best pose! Your photo will be sent to the ticket-holder's e-mail address. Please allow up to 5 full days for your photos to arrive.
• People's choice winners will be chosen by public voting at Facebook.com/albanybid. Guests will also receive an email when voting opens.
• The Judges will also select 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Judge's choice winners will be announced at the same time as the People's Choice winners.
2026 JUDGES
• Erin Harkes I Metroland Now
• Gianna Ciccone I Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
• Jevan Dollard | Downtown Albany BID
PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS
Trick-or-treating | 12:00 PM-4:00 PM
1. The Olde English Pub & Pantry | 683 Broadway
• Goody bags for dogs & humans
2. Discover Albany | 25 Quackenbush Square
• Free dog toy for the first 50 costumed pups
• 5% off gift shop purchases
3. Capital Bank | Find our tent in Quackenbush Square!
• Treats for pups
4. The Olde English Downtown Dog Park | Entrance near N Pearl Street & Orange Street
• Can your clever canine conquer the Haunted Agility Course? Head to the park to find out!
5. The Yard: Sports Bar & Hatchet House | 16 Sheridan Ave
• Treats for pups
6. River Garden Studio | 39 Columbia Street
• Dog treats, 10% off same day or future purchases for anyone with a costumed dog
7. B. Lodge & Co. | 75 N Pearl Street
• Treats for dogs
• FREE Halloween dog bandanas!
8. The Skinny Pancake | 1 Steuben Street
• Treats for dogs
9. Albany Center Gallery | 48 N Pearl
• Treats for pups
• Pup selfie booth
10. City Beer Hall | 42 Howard Street
• Treats for pups
• Visit the patio for the DeCrescente and Angry Orchard photo booth! Post your photos and tag @downtownalbany @citybeerhall42 @decrescentedistributingco for a chance to win a $30 Gift Card
11. Loch & Quay | 414 Broadway
• Treats for pups
12. Fort Orange General Store | 412 Broadway
• FOGS Locally baked dog biscuits
• Check out our Photo Booth Station and take a Selfie with our FOGS Nipper, "Tail of the City""
• Receive 15% off your total purchase during the event with costumed pup-in-tow
13. The Vandy Thrift Shoppe | 412 Broadway
• Special treats for costumed canines
• Cookies for humans
14. Historic Albany Foundation | 48 Hudson Ave
• Treats for pups
15. Community Investment Trust | Pommer Building, 153 S Pearl St
• Treats for pups
• Photo station with "Echo" Nipper statue
Yappy Hour | 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
Drink specials, Yappy Hour pricing, and more fun on pet-friendly patios
After the Puppy Parade, start Yappy Hour off with drink specials from Common Roots, and hydration stations for your pups at Clinton Market Collective, across from the Olde English Downtown Dog Park. Then, from 4 to 6 p.m., head to these dog-friendly patios for more Yappy Hour prices, drink specials, and more.
• Dawn's Victory Sports Cafe | 10 Sheridan Avenue
+ Yappy Hour draft and drink specials
• Historic Albany Foundation | 48 Hudson Ave
+ Treats for pups throughout Yappy Hour
• Loch & Quay | 414 Broadway
+ Yappy Hour pricing
• McGeary's Irish Pub | 4 Clinton Sq
+ Yappy Hour pricing & drink specials
• Ophelia's on Broadway | 388 Broadway
+ Ask about our Yappy Hour specials
• The City Beer Hall | 42 Howard Street
Yappy Hour Pricing & Featured Cocktails
+ $7 Angry Orchard Cider
+ $12 Chihuahua's Ghost
+ $12 The Black Lab
• The Yard: Sports Bar & Hatchet House | 16 Sheridan Ave
+ Treats for pups
+ 1/2 off 1 Seasonal Holiday drink for each ticket holder
THE PUPPY PARADE
Calling all costumed canines and paw-rents! At 3:00 PM, it's time to gather in Clinton Market Collective (11 Clinton Ave) and get ready to march in the Hounds of Halloween Puppy Parade! Enjoy beverages by Common Roots Brewing Company. The parade will step off at ruff-ly 3:15 PM.
DONATION BIN:
Mohawk Hudson Humane Society representatives will table at Hounds of Halloween from 12:00 PM-4:00 PM and are accepting donations of dry cat and dog food. Bring a bag, give back, and celebrate the most a-dog-able day of the year!
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