AUGUST 23, 2025 — 9:00AM-12:00PM
Dog Days of Summer
🌿💚 CALLING ALL DOG LOVERS 💚🌿
Zilker Botanical Garden and ZilkerBark present Dog Days of Summer — our annual celebration of Austin’s furry friends in the heart of one of the city’s most iconic outdoor spaces!
Where: Zilker Botanical Garden: Oak Grove & Rose Garden
When: Saturday, August 23, 2025 - 9AM - 12PM
Admission: Entry to the event is included with the purchase of regular day admission to Zilker Botanical Garden. Tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of the event.
RSVP Here!
Reservations are not required, but help us anticipate attendance
ZilkerBark Portraits
$25 Pre-Sale ZilkerBark portraits have sold out but a limited number of portrait spots are still available for $35. Portrait purchases are not required to attend the event.
Included in your purchase will be a short 1-3 minute “photoshoot” in our photo booths and people are welcome to be in the photos. You’ll receive 1-10 digital files emailed to you within one week after the event. Each dog will need a separate photo spot and we will not be photographing dogs together (unless a person is in the photos with the dog).
Appointments are booked in 20min slots and you’re welcome to have your dog photographed anytime within 20min of your appointment. If you have any questions, feel free to email us! hello@zilkerbark.com.
Refunds will only be available within the first 48 hours of purchase. No refunds after.
* What to expect! *
🐶 ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS
Dog Agility Course – Try out our agility zone hosted by Bark & Zoom! A great way to test your pup’s skills and coordination.
“Sniffari” Zone – A scent-based scavenger hunt where dogs follow their noses to discover treats.
Pet Portraits by ZilkerBark – Get professional photos of your pup in the garden.
Flower Crowns & Paw Print Keepsakes – Take home custom paw prints on wooden tokens and handmade flower crowns (while supplies last).
🎉 CONTESTS & COMPETITIONS
Owner & Dog Look-Alike Contest – Think you and your pup are twinning? Compete for prizes and crowd glory in our live look-alike showdown.
Mini Games & Surprise Giveaways – Throughout the morning, we’ll be handing out fun prizes from local sponsors like Siete Foods, H-E-B, and CityVet.
Pup Cup Eating Contest – It's a race to the bottom of the bowl! During the event, sign your pup up for a whipped cream showdown! Fastest snout from each rounds wins a prize.
🛍️ VENDORS & TREATS
Browse local pet vendors and snag swag at the ZilkerBark merch booth
Grab a frozen treat from Good Times Austin
Enjoy breakfast tacos from Pueblo Viejo
Score free samples and goodies throughout the garden
🎟️ FUNDRAISING FOR A CAUSE
This event benefits the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy, with a fundraising goal of $5,000. Support the garden and your furry friend by:
Purchasing an Honorary Dog Membership (with certificate!)
Entering contests and activities via donation
Buying ZBGC memberships—each one enters you to win a free ZilkerBark pet portrait session!
🎁 PRIZES & PERKS
From exclusive swag bags and local treats to free photo sessions and garden memberships, we’ll be giving away over 100 prizes throughout the morning. You and your pup could walk away with something special!
📍 LOCATION & ACCESS
Look for us in the Oak Grove and Rose Garden areas. Volunteers will be stationed to guide you through all the fun. Event entry is included with standard garden admission or ZBGC membership.
