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New Venue, New Energy: Dog Lovers Festival Returns to Brisbane in 2026

Pet Projects

Key Facts:

• Brisbane Dog Lovers Festival returns to Brisbane Showgrounds on 16-17 May 2026 with an expanded format and new outdoor zones
• Festival will feature over 50% more brands and services, including the VitaPet Arena, Dog Expo, Marketplace, Breed Showcase, Adoption Zone and Pat-A-Pooch experience
• New Outback Arena will showcase Working Dogs demonstrating traditional herding skills
• Australian debut of Scurry Dog, a new interactive dog sport from Wales featuring retrieving, searching and trailing challenges
• Event to run 9:30am-5pm daily with first release tickets available now at dogloversfestival.com.au/brisbane

Australia’s biggest celebration of our four-legged friends is returning to Brisbane, with the Dog Lovers Festival set to unleash two huge days of shopping, tail-wagging fun, fresh experiences and festival vibes when it bounds to the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 May, 2026.

After a two-year hiatus, the Brisbane Dog Lovers Festival will bring an expanded festival footprint, new outdoor zones, and a refreshed format that transforms the Brisbane Showgrounds into Queensland’s biggest weekend celebration of dogs, joy and pure puppy love.

Relocating to the spacious and centrally located Showgrounds, the 2026 Festival will occupy the Ekka’s Showbag Pavilion, Woodchop Arena and Sideshow Alley, giving visitors more room to explore, connect and immerse themselves in everything dog related. This year’s super-sized layout allows the Festival to bring together a record number of breed clubs and adoption groups, and more than 50% more brands and services on sale – ensuring it will be the biggest celebration of pooch parenting in Queensland’s history!  

All the much-loved attractions that have made the Dog Lovers Festival a highlight on the national calendar will return, including the always popular VitaPet Arena, the bustling Dog Expo filled with the latest and greatest in dog products and services, the curated boutique Marketplace of start-ups, the Breed Showcase, the heartwarming Adoption Zone and the adorable Pat-A-Pooch experience.

The VitaPet Arena will host an exciting line-up of talent in 2026, delivering high energy dog sports and unforgettable entertainment across the weekend. Festival goers can look forward to appearances from Dr Katrina, Kelly Gill and The Wonderdogs, professional dog trainer and founder of Dogly School for Dogs, Brooke Ellis, plus Cilla Pershouse and Ash Barky from ABC’s Muster Dogs will be onsite, alongside beloved television presenter Lara Shannon, and crowd favourite Dances with Dogs.

Adding to the action, the larger outdoor format will allow for more thrilling dog sports and live demonstrations than ever before.

A major new highlight for 2026 is the introduction of the Outback Arena, celebrating the skill, instinct and intelligence of Working Dogs in action. The purpose-built arena will showcase traditional herding skills, giving audiences the rare opportunity to see these remarkable dogs demonstrate the precision, control and teamwork that underpin working dog disciplines.

Making its Australian debut alongside the Working Dogs is Scurry Dog, a fast-paced and interactive new dog sport arriving from Wales. Designed to bring gun-dog inspired skills into a fun, accessible format for everyday dogs, Scurry Dog puts training into action through retrieving, searching and trailing challenges.

The arrival of Scurry Dog marks an exciting first for Australia and adds another dynamic layer to the Festival’s expanded outdoor program

Details of the Festival’s full presenter line-up and programs will be announced soon.

Festival Director, Paul Mathers said the re-invented 2026 Festival format marks an exciting evolution for Brisbane.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Dog Lovers Festival back with a brand-new format that truly harnesses the incredible atmosphere of the Brisbane Showgrounds,” Mathers said.

“This new site gives us the space to create a real festival environment, one where visitors can wander between indoor and open-air experiences, enjoy fantastic street food, and soak up all the exhibitors have to offer.”

“We wanted 2026 to feel fresh, energetic and personal, and we can’t wait for visitors to experience the most exciting Brisbane Dog Lovers Festival we’ve ever produced.”

The 2026 Festival is designed to welcome everyone from seasoned dog owners seeking the latest products and advice, to families looking for a fun, feel-good day out, for animal lovers wanting a weekend of puppy smooches, smiles and shared moments.

Tickets are on sale now with first release tickets available at: dogloversfestival.com.au/brisbane/ . Fetch yours today before the prices rise.

Event Details:

What: Brisbane Dog Lovers Festival 2026

When: 16–17 May 2026, 9.30am–5pm daily

Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills

Website: www.dogloversfestival.com.au/brisbane

Contact details:

For media enquiries, including ticket giveaways and interview opportunities:

Vicky De George

Ph: 0405 151 485

[email protected]