Nashville’s best-dressed dogs are about to take over the gardens. Cheekwood Estate & Gardens hosts its Halloween Pooch Party on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., a weekend built entirely around four-legged guests and the people who adore them.
The highlight is the costume contest, held at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. each day. Award categories include Best Kid & Canine Combo, Adult & Dog Duo and Top Dog, and this year’s special category is "Founding Paw-thers" — pups dressed as American icons, in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Between contests, families can browse dog-friendly vendors and spoil their furry friends with special treats while strolling Cheekwood’s fall gardens.
A timed-entry ticket is required for all guests, and Cheekwood notes that parking capacity may be reached during the event; once parking is full, walk-up tickets are available only to guests arriving by rideshare. Dogs must stay on a leash at all times and are not allowed inside any buildings.
It is one of the happiest sights of the Nashville fall: hundreds of costumed pups parading through one of the city’s most beautiful gardens. Pick the costume, pack the leash and let your dog have its day.
Photo: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
