York Museum Gardens Hosts First City Centre Dog Show

About

York Museum Gardens will welcome dogs and their owners on Sunday 20 September 2026 for a new city centre dog show featuring competitions, demonstrations, workshops, local traders and a celebrity judge.

Taking place in partnership with the team from York Dog Park, the event will bring together York and Yorkshire’s dog-loving community for a day of canine activities in the historic surroundings of the Museum Gardens.

York Dog Show Competitions

Visitors will be able to enter their dogs into the show on the day, with a variety of light-hearted categories and prizes available. Categories will include:

Handsomest Dog
Fanciest Female
Cutest Puppy
Best Trick

The competitions will be judged by author and television personality Amanda Owen, known for Our Yorkshire Farm and her work as the Yorkshire Shepherdess. Owen has expressed her enthusiasm for meeting the dogs and their owners when she joins the event at York Museum Gardens.

Dog Training, Agility and Expert Advice

A programme of dog training workshops and agility demonstrations will run throughout the day, including activities such as bale racing. Visitors and their dogs will also be able to try activities in the Have-a-Go Dog Park.

Veterinary experts will be on hand to provide information and advice, while dedicated talks will give dog owners an opportunity to learn more about caring for their pets.

Professional dog photographers will also attend, giving visitors the chance to capture photographs of their pets against the backdrop of York Museum Gardens.

Local Dog Businesses, Food and Drink

A pop-up shopping village will feature local vendors offering a selection of dog treats, toys, accessories and other pet-related products. Information stalls will also introduce visitors to businesses and organisations working within the local canine community.

The event is designed for both dogs and their human companions, with a selection of food and drink available throughout the day.

A New Dog-Friendly Event for York

Jocelyn Palmer, Senior Events Manager at York Museums Trust, said the event will bring together pet owners, experts, businesses, trainers and photographers to celebrate dogs in the city centre. With stalls, food and entertainment planned, organisers expect the show to provide a full day of activities for families and dog owners in the Museum Gardens.

York Dog Show 2026 Tickets and Event Details

Date: Sunday 20 September 2026
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: York Museum Gardens, York
Adult tickets: £5
Child tickets: £2

Tickets for the York Dog Show can be purchased online through York Museums Trust.

Book tickets for York Dog Show 2026

About York Museum Gardens

York Museum Gardens were established in the 1830s by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. The gardens are known for their collection of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs, as well as their historic setting in the centre of York.

The land was originally granted to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society on the condition that botanical gardens were created on the site. Designed by Sir John Murray Naysmith, the original gardens included a conservatory, pond and menagerie.

In 1960, York Museum Gardens and the Yorkshire Museum were placed in trust with the City of York Council. Since 2002, the gardens have been managed by York Museums Trust.