Who doesn’t love a dog in costume? Doggy Con celebrates pup culture, just one week before the famed Dragon Con cosplayers arrive in downtown Atlanta.
On Saturday, August 26, 2023, you and your four-legged bestie can get in on the Doggy Con fun. The event has a NEW location this year. It will take place at Broad Street Boardwalk (there is ongoing construction at Woodruff Park, which is the usual venue).
Event hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Broad Street Boardwalk is located at the corner of Peachtree Street and Luckie Street, just across from Woodruff Park, in downtown Atlanta.
The highlight of the event is the pet costume pageant, with prizes awarded in five categories.
The event will also feature a vendor village of dog-centric goods, and plenty of fun.
Want to breeze downtown to take in the fun?
Admission as a spectator is FREE.
If you want to register your pup to participate, it’s just $10 if you register in advance, and $15 on site the day of the event.
Register your dog here
There are super-simple directions for getting to the location on MARTA, just below.
Check out these other great events for dogs and their humans:
• The annual Rescue Dog Games & Howl-O-Ween Party
• Pup-A-Palooza Party in Johns Creek
• Dog swim days at Atlanta area pools
Doggy Con 2019, courtesy of Central Atlanta Progress.
How to participate in the pageant and costume contest
Do you have a doggo who wants to strut her stuff and compete for drool-worthy prizes?
Just register online for $10 by August 24th — or register onsite at the event for $15. There is a $1.49 fee added to your online registration.
All proceeds will directly support the construction of a dog park at Woodruff Park.
You can compete in 6 costume categories:
- Best Doggy/Human Dynamic Duo
- Best Character Cosplay
- Biggest “Awww” Factor
- Best Small But Mighty Pup
- Best Big Buddy
- Best in Show
Prizes include a 5-day membership to Dragon Con, and gift baskets from Whole Dog Market.
Doggy Con 2019, courtesy of Central Atlanta Progress.
The Vendor Village
2021 participants include the following.
- Bark Alley
- Big Poppa
- BMC Designs
- Chico’s Mafia Tough Dog Apparel
- Dogtopia of Sandy Springs
- Farm Hounds
- Farmina Pet Food
- Four-Legged Foodie (this is the food truck for dogs)
- FurEver Theirs-(DIG POP UP)
- Get Your Dog RIPTT
- KRAZY K9 COOKIES
- NuJu Designs
Food & Beverage
There will be a few food trucks on site, and there are restaurants in the blocks that surround Woodruff Park.
2021 participants include:
- The Cereal Lab
- Refuge Coffee
- Mocha Pops
Doggy Con 2019, courtesy of of Central Atlanta Progress.
About Woodruff Park
Woodruff Park is located at 91 Peachtree Street NW, in the Fairlie-Poplar district. It is bordered by Edgewood Avenue, Peachtree Street, Auburn Avenue, and Park Place.
This six-acre park is a natural gathering space for a diverse cross-section of Atlantans and a key starting point for exploring downtown Atlanta and its surrounding neighborhoods. Surrounding buildings include government offices, commerce, and Georgia State University.
Originally known as Central City Park, Woodruff Park was renovated through a generous donation from Robert W. Woodruff, former president of The Coca-Cola Company. Today, the park offers playgrounds, fountains, and a variety of facilities and services.
The park is patrolled daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., through a partnership between the Atlanta Police Department and GSU Police, making it a very safe venue. The Downtown Clean Team helps with park maintenance.
Each year, Woodruff Park hosts a variety of signature festivals, events and performances, including the WoodRUFF Bark Dog Parade and the annual German Bierfest.
Getting there
Note: The MARTA tips below apply to spectators. According to the AJC, only service dogs may ride unconfined on MARTA. All other animals must be secured in a rigid carrier.
Woodruff Park is easily accessible via MARTA bus and rail. Two Atlanta Streetcar stops—Park Place and Woodruff Park—are located in the park. The park is also home to a Relay Bike Share hub.
View detailed MARTA and streetcar transportation options to Woodruff Park.
If you’re using MARTA rail, it couldn’t be easier. The park is located between Five Points Station and Peachtree Center Station.
Five Points Directions
- Take any train to the Five Points MARTA station
- Go to street level and follow signs to the Peachtree Street exit
- Turn left on Peachtree Street and walk about a block
Peachtree Center Directions
- Take a red or gold line train to the Peachtree Center station
- Follow the signs to the Ellis Street at the south end of the train platform
- Exit the fare gates and follow signs to Peachtree Street East
- At street level, turn left on Peachtree Street (toward Residence Inn) to reach the park.
Woodruff Park is easily accessible via MARTA bus and rail, and two Atlanta Streetcar stops—Park Place and Woodruff Park—are located in the park. The park is also home to a Relay Bike Share hub.
Transportation overview
- MARTA Rail Stations: Five Points (E-W, N-S lines), Peachtree Center (N-S lines)
- MARTA Bus Routes: #3, #816, #40
- Atlanta Streetcar Stops: Park Place (eastbound), Woodruff Park (westbound)
- Relay Bike Share Hub: Woodruff Park hub
- Bike racks located in Reading Room
The park does not have dedicated parking, but paid parking options, including lots, garages, and on-street parking, are nearby and plentiful. Consult the Atlanta Public Parking Map to explore your options.
