Oktoberfest: History, quick facts about Germany beer fest
Oktoberfest started in October 1810 and continues to be celebrated every fall
Ever think Octoberfest is missing something? Thanks to Harpoon Brewery in Boston, for one day in October, something a little extra has been added to the tradition: dogs.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, Harpoon will host its annual Dogtoberfest celebration. Following the brewery’s Octoberfest celebration on Oct. 4 and 5, this event invites beer lovers and their pups to celebrate the German tradition with a dog race, dog contests, food trucks and Harpoon brews.
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The event is not just for fun, but is also a fundraiser, and all proceeds will be donated to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) and the Kenary Brain Tumor Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Find out everything you need to know before attending the event below.
Harpoon Dogtoberfest Attractions
The festival kicks off with “Fast & Furriest 3-Mile Run. Walk. Wag,” a three-mile race for dogs and their owners. Recently winning the No. 2 spot on USA Today’s list of the 10 best fun runs in the country, this activity is perfect for dogs who love to walk or run.
When race participants return to the “barking” lot, they will be greeted with a vendor row full of shops, photo booths, food trucks and beer for both dogs and owners to enjoy. Alongside draft choices like Harpoon IPA, Juicer Hazy IPA, Rec. League and Flannel Friday, Harpoon will also have a dog-friendly brew made with malted barley mash and peanut butter.
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After enjoying a beer or two, dogs can compete in The Fest-minster Dog Show, featuring special announcer Brandon Clay from 101.7 The Bull. This year’s contest categories are high five, trick, look-alike and costume. To compete in any of the contests, register your dog at customer service during the event. All dogs can compete in the costume contest, but the other categories are limited to 10 pups each. Winners receive packs of Harpoon beer and ribbons, among other surprise prizes.
Tickets to Harpoon Dogtoberfest
Regular admission tickets are $25 for ages 21 and older and free for those under 21 who enter with a paying adult. To compete in the Fast & Furriest race, tickets are $15 for those under 21 and $45 for ages 21 and older. Participants of the Fast & Furriest must sign up before Oct. 1, but regular tickets will be available until the start of the event.
When and where is Harpoon Dogtoberfest 2024?
Dogtoberfest will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave. in Boston.
More: Harpoon Octoberfest 2024 returns to Boston soon. Your guide to what’s happening this year
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Rules for dogs at Dogtoberfest
Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Leashes cannot be retractable or longer than six feet.
Dogs in heat cannot attend.
All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations.
Owners must clean up after their own dogs.
Dogs participating in the Fast & Furriest race must be at least six months old and comfortable walking or running in a busy environment. It is recommended that leashes attach to a harness rather than a neck collar for the race.
“No Kings” rallies are scheduled in Boston and across Massachusetts on Saturday and are expected to draw large crowds, organizers said.
Organized by the ACLU of Massachusetts, Indivisible Mass Coalition, and Mass 50501, the event is a mass mobilization in protest of the Trump administration.
The No Kings theme was created by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
“The Trump administration is trying to shred the Constitution; the No Kings movement is an unequivocal statement that we, the people, will not let that happen. This will be the third global No Kings Day, and it’s not just about protesting what’s wrong—it’s about building something better. We intend to show our power, build our power, and power a democracy that advances freedom, equality, justice, and dignity for all,” organizers wrote.
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The rally, one of thousands scheduled across the country this weekend, is planned for the Boston Common from 2 to 4 p.m. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend Boston’s rally. Other events are scheduled in Pittsfield, Northampton, Lancaster, Worcester, Framingham, Methuen, Lexington, and towns in southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape. For a map of No Kings events near you, click here.
Speakers include elected officials Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Gov. Maura Healey, Sen. Ed Markey and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and civic leaders Hessann Farooqi Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, Darlene Lombos, president of the Greater Boston Labor Council, Carol Rose, executive director of ACLU of Massachusetts, Jessica Tang, president of the American Federation of Teachers of Massachusetts, and others. It will be moderated by Rahsaan Hall, president and CEO of Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.
There will also be performances by the Dropkick Murphys, Boston Area Brigade of Activist Musicians, BVOCAL Chorus, and Jimmy Tingle.
A previous No Kings rally in October drew massive crowds estimated in the tens of thousands.
NBC10 Boston
NBC10 Boston
An aerial view of the crowd at Boston’s “No Kings” rally on the Common on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
ALLSTON, MASS. (WHDH) – Boston police are searching for a gunman who opened fire in Allston Thursday and left one person hurt.
Police responded to a radio call for a person shot in the area of Brighton Avenue at approximately 6:46 p.m. When officers arrived, they said they found a male “juvenile” suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim’s age has not been released.
Boston police said the shooter fled the scene and remains at large. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston police.
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This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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