December hits differently when you’ve got a dog by your side. Warm evenings, Christmas markets, community days, outdoor cinemas and more Melbourne dog-friendly events than you can shake a candy cane at.
Whether you’re chasing a wholesome Christmas market, a summer cinema date with your dog, or a community day packed with pups and live music, December is overflowing with moments to make the silly season extra special.
Here’s your guide to the best dog-friendly events happening across Melbourne this December.
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Dog-Friendly Festivals & Big Christmas Events
Festive gatherings, long lawns, warm nights, and events where dogs are truly part of the celebration.
This is where December shines: big community atmospheres, markets buzzing with energy, lawns full of picnics, and events designed to bring people and pups together. From Christmas markets to summer-night cinema sessions, these are the outings worth blocking out the calendar for.
Big Day Out for Dogs 2025 – Melbourne’s biggest canine Christmas celebration
It’s basically the Royal Show… but for dogs.
Dogs Victoria opens up KCC Park for a huge day of festive fun. Big Day Out for Dogs 2025 is the kind of event where dogs rule the grounds and humans just try to keep up. Expect breed showcases, club demonstrations, rescue groups, club stalls, pet products, treats, food trucks and Christmas-themed moments everywhere you turn.
Families settle in for hours, kids bounce between activities, and dogs of every size happily trot from stall to stall. It’s energetic, joyful, and packed with the kind of community spirit that makes it one of the most beloved dog events on the Victorian calendar.
When: Sunday 14 December 2025
Location: KCC Park, Skye
AAPS Christmas Market & Family Fun Day – A feel-good festive outing
Rescue-focused, family-friendly, and full of festive spirit
AAPS’ annual Christmas Market is wholesome to its core — a feel-good, family-first day where every purchase helps animals in need. The market is full of festive stalls, food vendors, kids’ activities and friendly volunteers, but the standout is the Santa photos, run by Snoot Photography to support the shelter.
There’s also a guided shelter tour kicking off at 10.30am, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how animals arrive, recover, and eventually find their forever homes. It’s the perfect December outing for anyone who wants Christmas spirit with a side of impact.
When: Sunday 7 December, 10am–1.30pm
Location: AAPS, Keysborough
Paws on the Lawn: Dog Day Out in Prahran – Picnic vibes + dog fun
Pub vibes and super central — perfect for inner-city pups.
Paws on the Lawn is back this Christmas, and this time, it’s serving up some seriously wholesome dog-friendly events at the College Lawn Hotel in Prahran.
Whether you’ve got a social pup or just need an excuse to get out of the house (yes, even in winter), this dog-friendly event in Prahran is one to put in the calendar.
When: Sunday 7th December
Location: College Lawn Hotel, Prahran
DOGSTRAVAGANZA Brunswick 2025
Brunswick’s rowdiest dog party
Elita Pet and Welcome to Brunswick team up for an afternoon built entirely around the suburb’s real celebrities: the pups. The beer garden turns into a packed dog-friendly hangout with cheeky trivia, juicy raffle prizes and plenty of socialising for humans and hounds.
From doggy meat trays and enrichment packs to grooming vouchers and toys, the prizes are actually worth winning — and raffle proceeds help support Forever Friends Animal Rescue.
When: December 7th 2025
Location: Welcome to Brunswick, Brunswick
Sunset Cinema Abbotsford – Movies under the twinkle lights
Summer cinema season kicks off at Abbotsford Convent, and dogs are very much part of the plan. Sunset Cinema transforms the Convent’s leafy grounds into a relaxed outdoor movie space, with a mix of blockbusters, classics and feel-good favourites screening throughout December.
Think bean bags, BYO picnic blankets, premium seating options, ice cream, popcorn, and drinks from the Fever-Tree bar. Pups can stretch out beside you, sniff the evening air and enjoy the kind of laid-back summer atmosphere that makes December magic.
When: December 2025
Location: Abbotsford Convent, Colingwood
Moonlight Cinema Melbourne – The city’s most iconic dog-friendly outdoor cinema
Set on the rolling lawns of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Moonlight Cinema is a Melbourne tradition — and one of the most dog-friendly cinema experiences you can have. Pack a big blanket, bring a picnic, or grab snacks onsite, then settle in for blockbusters and classics screened under the stars.
Dogs are welcome to curl up beside you all night long, and with warm evenings settling in, December is the perfect month to kick off the season. Plus: the January program drops 11 December, so early-month sessions often feature some of the most crowd-pleasing titles.
When: December 2025 to April 2026
Location: Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
Dog-Friendly Meetups & Walks
Because December is better with friends (and festive floofs)
December in Melbourne is basically one big dog party. The weather warms up, the Christmas chaos kicks in, and suddenly every weekend has a walk, meetup or silly-season social where pups take centre stage.
Think: tiny dogs in tinsel, pub crawls with puppuccinos, and breed meetups that double as the cutest Christmas gatherings you’ll see all month. Whether your dog is a social butterfly, a shy sniffer, or just here for the snacks, there’s something on the calendar that’ll get their tail going.
Here’s what’s happening around Melbourne this December.
PomMas Pomeranian Meet Up at Bark Park – A Pom-Perfect Christmas Pawty
Christmas arrives early at Bark Park when the Pomeranians take over for their PomMas celebration. The tiny fluffballs arrive in full festive fashion — think miniature Christmas jumpers, sparkly bows, tiny antlers and more attitude per square metre than most events can handle.
Over two hours, Poms and their humans wander between treat tables, pup-friendly eggnog, a doggy gingerbread house station and the Santa Paws photo booth. The highlight is the Sleigh-the-Runway parade, where each Pom gets their moment to shine. It’s loud, it’s fluffy, it’s joyful — basically a Christmas card come to life.
When: Saturday 6 December
Location: Bark Park, 48 Roberna St, Moorabbin
Christmas Puppy Pub Crawl Brunswick – Craft Beers, Dog Martinis & New Mates
For pups who prefer their socialising with a side of bar-hopping, the Brunswick Puppy Pub Crawl is the perfect festive afternoon out.
This relaxed 1.4km wander strings together three of the neighbourhood’s most dog-friendly venues, starting at Co-Conspirators Brewing with spent-grain treats for the pups and drink specials for their humans. The group then strolls to The Retreat Hotel for live music and the famous alcohol-free dog martinis — big energy, zero spirits. The crawl wraps at Hotel Railway, where dogs score chef-made snacks while humans settle into Mediterranean-style share plates. It’s warm, social, and the perfect pre-Christmas outing for dogs who thrive on attention.
When: 7th December
Location: Brunswick
Merry Tzumas Pawty at Bark Park
Bark Park is going full festive mode as the Shih Tzu community gathers for a Christmas celebration that’s equal parts adorable and over-the-top. The moment you walk into the indoor Moorabbin dog park, you’re met with jingling collars, tiny Santa hats, and Shih Tzus strutting like they own the North Pole.
The “Sleigh All Day” costume parade sets the tone, followed by the cutest chaos imaginable as pups get to devour a dog-friendly gingerbread house. There’s Tzu-approved eggnog (yes, really), a Secret Santa Paws gift exchange for extra tail wags, and a Pup-arazzi photo booth ready to capture every mistletoe-worthy moment. It’s festive, fluffy and guaranteed to leave you grinning.
When: Sunday, 7 December 2025
Location: Bark Park, 48 Roberna St, Moorabbin
Paws & Pints at The Angry Dog
A feel-good dog lovers meet-up at The Angry Dog in West Melbourne, hosted by Paw Share Club. Whether you’re a seasoned dog parent or just pup curious, it’s your chance to connect with locals over beers, belly rubs and real talk about pet life.
Every ticket helps pups in need because good humans stick together.
When: Saturday, 6th December
Location: The Angry Dog, West Melbourne
Paint & Sip: Paint Your Dog Painting Class
Paint For Fun in Port Melbourne invites you and your dog to a unique painting class. Tailored for beginners, this workshop is not only about learning painting techniques but also about sharing the experience with your dog, who becomes both your muse and companion during the session. It’s a perfect blend of creativity and bonding with your dog.
When: 14th December
Location: Paint For Fun, Port Melbourne
Dog-Friendly Markets
Looking for the perfect outing with your pup? Check out Melbourne’s dog-friendly farmers and craft markets! Shop for local produce and handmade crafts, and enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere. These weekly and monthly markets are a fantastic way for you and your furry friend to experience the best local Melbourne.
St Kilda Esplanade Market
Enjoy a Sunday stroll at St Kilda’s Esplanade Market with your dog. Since 1970, this beachside market has been a hit for its artisanal finds and pet-friendly atmosphere. Discover unique crafts, savor food truck treats, and spoil your pet with special items. Highlights include the “Puppy of the Day” contest and charity-supporting puppuccinos, blending fun and philanthropy into your market visit.
When: Every Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: St Kilda’s Esplanade
Price: Free
Veg Out St Kilda Farmers’ Market
The Veg Out St Kilda Farmers’ Market, happening every first Saturday of the month, is a community favourite in the bustling bayside suburb of St Kilda. Accredited by the VFMA, it’s a place where locals and visitors can enjoy fresh, local produce in a friendly, dog-welcoming environment.
When: Saturday 6th December, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Peanut Farm, St Kilda
Price: Free
Abbotsford Convent Farmers Market
Nestled in the scenic grounds of Melbourne’s historic Abbotsford Convent, this dog-friendly monthly market is a lively showcase of Victoria’s fresh produce. It welcomes food enthusiasts, ethical shoppers, and their dogs to discover a wide selection of fresh, seasonal produce, handmade artisan foods, and exquisite gourmet condiments, all sourced directly from Victorian farmers.
When: Saturday 13th December, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Abbotsford Convent
Price: $2 (proceeds go to the Abbotsford Convent)
Elwood Farmers Market
Held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, this dog-friendly market features over 40 stalls showcasing the finest local produce, artisan goods, and delicious treats. With a lively atmosphere enhanced by local musicians, it’s not just a place to shop but a welcoming community space where you can enjoy quality time with your dog. After exploring the market, take a scenic walk along Elster Creek to round off your visit with some extra exercise for your furry friend.
When: Saturday 13th & 27th December, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Elwood Primary School
Price: Free
Williamstown Farmers’ Market
Fresh local produce, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere at this dog-friendly market in Williamstown, Melbourne.
When: Sunday 14th December, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Robertson Reserve, Williamstown
Price: Free
Gasworks Farmers’ Market
Experience some of the best of Victorian produce at the dog-friendly Gasworks Farmers’ Market in Albert Park. Occurring every third Saturday, this market is a celebration of sustainable living, offering everything from fresh produce to homemade delicacies and vibrant flowers.
