Four dog-friendly outings in Fort Worth and nearby take you from Halloween costumes to the first holiday lights, with dates from October 30 through November 12, 2026. There is one downtown Fort Worth screening and three nearby choices in Keller, Roanoke and Arlington. Pick the setting your dog will enjoy: a market stroll, a short costume contest, a rooftop movie or a light show viewed from your car.
Plan first: Roanoke’s advance contest registration closes Thursday, October 29 at 11:45 p.m. CDT. Spaces are limited, and the city only offers on-site registration if space remains. Check registration before making the contest your Halloween plan.
Quick calendar
| Date | Outing | Actual location | Local time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, October 31 | Pumpkins & Pooches market | Keller | 8 a.m.–noon CDT |
| Saturday, October 31 | Halloween Dog Costume Contest | Roanoke | 6–7 p.m. CDT |
| Friday, November 6–Thursday, November 12 | The Light Park | Arlington | Opens 5:30 p.m.; closing times below |
| Saturday, November 7 | Regular Keller Farmers Market | Keller | 8 a.m.–noon CST |
| Sunday, November 8 | Wooftop: The Nightmare Before Christmas | Fort Worth | 4:35 p.m. CST |
Keller’s two dates are part of one market series. The Light Park is one attraction with several evening choices. Central Standard Time begins November 1, so use the local times above when adding plans to your calendar.
Best picks for your dog
For a dog who enjoys browsing beside you, start with Keller’s outdoor market. Choose Roanoke if dressing up and a brief turn before judges sounds fun. The November 8 rooftop screening suits a dog who can settle through a film, while Arlington offers an option for dogs happier riding with their people than mingling in a crowd. These are different experiences; one comfortable outing is better than fitting every stop into the same day.
In Fort Worth: a movie with your pup
November 8: Wooftop at Rooftop Cinema Club
The 4:35 p.m. showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas is specifically a Wooftop event inviting dogs. Find it on the Mezzanine Terrace of the Worthington Renaissance Hotel, 235 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. The film runs 76 minutes, so think about whether your dog is comfortable settling beside your seat for that stretch.
Dogs must stay leashed and under their owner’s control; the organizer may remove dogs displaying aggression. The terrace is outdoors, so check the forecast and bring a layer for yourself. Confirm arrival instructions on your booking rather than assuming all screenings use the same door time. The screening’s ticket price and any booking fees were not available in the checked event listing; confirm the total before booking. Read the exact screening details and book.
Nearby: Keller, Roanoke and Arlington
October 31 and November 7: Keller Farmers Market
The Pumpkins & Pooches Market on October 31 runs 8 a.m.–noon at Bear Creek Park, 400 Bear Creek Parkway, Keller, TX 76248. A regular market follows on November 7, also 8 a.m.–noon. This gives you a daytime option for browsing local food and other stalls with your dog.
The organizer expressly permits well-behaved, leashed pets. Bring your shopping bags and keep enough space to pass other dogs around stalls. The market generally operates in rain, but threatening weather can change plans. The market’s schedule does not list an admission charge or a 2026 costume-contest registration process; check the organizer’s updates before planning around a contest. Use the 2026 schedule and current pet rules; an older costume-contest page is not this year’s timetable.
October 31: Roanoke’s Halloween Dog Costume Contest
Dogs and handlers take their turn at Roanoke City Hall Plaza, 500 S Oak Street, Roanoke, TX 76262, from 6–7 p.m. The city lists registration as free, with small-dog, large-dog and Halloween-spirit categories. Coordinating with your dog is optional.
Keep costumes family-friendly and your dog leashed. Unruly or aggressive behavior can lead to disqualification. Advance registration ends October 29 at 11:45 p.m. CDT; do not count on a walk-in place. Check the city’s registration page for the remaining options.
November 6–12: The Light Park in Arlington
Holiday lights begin November 6 at Hurricane Harbor Arlington, 1800 E Lamar Boulevard, Arlington, TX 76006. The organizer lists this drive-through attraction as pet friendly. People and dogs must remain inside the vehicle throughout the visit, making it a different choice from a dog social or walking event.
For this guide’s dates, hours are 5:30–11 p.m. on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, then 5:30–10 p.m. Sunday, November 8 through Thursday, November 12. The attraction continues later in the season, but these are the nights within this two-week guide.
The checked Arlington checkout lists $29.99 online pre-sale admission per vehicle, purchased before November 6 and valid for one visit on any night of the 2026 season. The checkout lists service fees, card fees and tax separately; confirm the final total before paying. Choose this outing with your dog’s comfort around car queues, music and bright lights in mind. See the Arlington location, confirm hours and check pre-sale tickets.
Book ahead: after November 12
November 14–15: Fort Worth Botanic Garden Dog Days. These dates fall after this guide’s main window. Regular human admission applies, plus $5 per dog, with member admission categories listed free. Dogs must be leashed, older than four months and current on vaccinations; there is a limit of two dogs per adult and restrictions on some garden areas. Dogs in heat are not admitted, and dogs must be socialized and well behaved. Review the Dog Days rules and tickets before booking.
December 5: Clearfork Holiday Market. The organizer lists this free, outdoor, pet-friendly market for 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at The Shops at Clearfork, 5188 Monahans Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76109. Save the date and recheck the organizer’s holiday-market page nearer the visit.
Check the linked organizers before setting out for any change to weather plans, entry rules or bookings. Bring a leash, water and waste bags, and give your dog an easy exit if the setting feels too busy.
Photo: Downtown Fort Worth Skyline by DerekAyala27, CC BY 4.0. Archival city context photographed May 25, 2021, from the Trinity Trails; not a photograph of these events. Wikimedia’s 1280px rendition; no further changes.
