🎄🐾 Attend the Holiday Paws Downtown Block Pawty
A free dog-friendly holiday festival in the heart of Providence
Holiday Paws Downtown Block Pawty — Sunday, December 7 — 12:00-4:00 PM
Official Event Site: holidaypawsblockpawty.com
🎉 Holiday Paws Highlights
🎧 Live Performances + DJ Holiday Vibz
Festive mini-performances by local artists, pop-up guests, and Sunday Funday DJ Holiday Vibz spinning in the Pawty Zone.
🔥 People & Paws Warming Station
A cozy, covered nook where pups and people can warm up chilly paws and hands.
🛍️ Pet + Holiday Vendors
Shop local artisans, pet-friendly makers, holiday gifts, treats, and festive surprises throughout the festival.
🎟️ Raffles & Prizes
Win holiday gifts — 100% of raffle proceeds benefit PARL.
🍺 Tail Wag Tavern (21+)
A heated beverage tent and patio serving festive drinks, holiday sips, and Sunday cocktails.
🐕 Community Pet Resource Booths
Meet local rescues, trainers, adoption groups, and community partners supporting pets in Rhode Island.
🦴 Sponsor + Community Pet-Activation Areas
Interactive branded activities, demos, games, giveaways, and pup-friendly engagement zones.
💧 Comfort Stations
Water bowls and a designated pet relief area available on-site for a comfortable experience.
⭐ Upgrade Your Experience
Pawty Pack • Santa Paws Photos • Mug Club
Give your day a festive boost! Explore our limited-edition add-ons below.
🐾 Pawty Pack — $75
The Ultimate Holiday Paws VIP Experience
Perfect for supporters who want everything the event has to offer — plus a special gift for PARL
Your Pawty Pack includes:
🥂 2 drink vouchers (cocktail, beer, wine, or N/A option)
🎅 Santa Paws photo session (digital file included)
☕ 1 Holiday Paws mug OR pint glass
🎄 1 Holiday Paws ornament
🍪 Dog treat
❤️ $10 donated to PARL
Limited quantity available.
🎅🐶 Santa Paws Photo Op — $20
Strike a pose with Santa and create a holiday keepsake!
📸 One high-resolution digital photo
🎄 Festive holiday backdrop options (pose with Santa or general holiday backdrop
🐾 Treat for every pup
❤️ $5 benefits PARL
🎟 Limited to 50 sessions
☕🎁 Holiday Paws Mug Club — $40
A perfect holiday keepsake — and your support helps local animals.
1 Limited-Edition Holiday Paws Mug
1 drink voucher for the Tail Wag Tavern
Mug Club supporter recognition
❤️ $10 donated to PARL
Only 25 spots available
🎤 Pawty Zone Schedule
(Times Subject to Change)
Time Program Description
12:00 PM Event Kickoff Stroll around + register for contests, Santa Paws photos
12:45 PM Sit, Stay, Slay! Training Demo Quick training tips using balanced training.
1:00 PM Best Trick Blitz + Howling Contest Dogs showing off their best moves and biggest howls
1:30PM Holiday Costume & Ugly Sweater Contest For Dogs wearing festive attire to win prizes!
2:15PM The Chattertocks of Brown University A Capella pop-up performance
2:30 PM Pup Cup Eating Contest Sponsored by Ellie’s Bakery – 3 size rounds.
3:00PM Yappy Hour with Rusty the Dawg! One of Big Nazo’s favorite characters making the rounds!
3:30 PM Raffle Drawings Prize announcements
4:00 PM Event Ends
🏆 Contests & Competitions
Think your pup has what it takes to sleigh the runway? 🎄
All contests at the Holiday Paws Downtown Block Pawty are day-of, in-person only — simple, fun, and easy to join! Just stop by the Info Tent starting at 12:00 PM to sign up.
All contests are free, and a portion of proceeds benefit the Providence Animal Rescue League (PARL).
🐕 1:00 PM — Best Trick + Ho-Ho-Howl Talent Mashup
Entry Fee: Free
Sign-Up: Day-of only, 12:00–12:50 PM at the Info Tent
We’re kicking off the day with a lively combo show! Whether your pup can spin, high-five, roll over, or “sing” their favorite holiday song, this segment is all about big energy and crowd smiles.
How It Works:
Sign up on-site (limit ~20 pups).
Each dog gets 30 seconds to perform a trick or show off their best howl.
Fast, friendly, and high-energy — judges select the Top 3 Crowd Favorites.
Judging Criteria: Creativity • Personality • Presentation • Audience Reaction
Prizes: Top 3 overallIn-Person Contests:
🍰 2:30 PM — Pup Cup Eating Contest
Entry Fee: Free
Sign-Up: Day-of only beginning at 12:00 PM
Sponsored by: Ellie’s Bakery
A sweet showdown for pups with a serious sweet tooth! Watch as dogs race to finish their pup-safe whipped treat the fastest.
How It Works:
Three rounds by size: Small, Medium, Large
Limit 30 dogs total (10 per category)
First to finish wins!
Prizes: Winner in each size category
👗 1:30 PM — Howl-iday Costume Runway Show
Entry Fee: Free
Registration: Day-of only, from 12:00–1:20 PM at the Info Tent
It’s the most adorable runway in Rhode Island! Dress up your pup (and yourself!) in your festive best and strut the stage in front of our holiday crowd.
Award Categories:
Best Holiday Look
Best Human + Pup Duo
Funniest Sweater
Most Festive Group
Best in Show (Grand Prize)
How It Works:
All contestants must check in by 1:20 PM.
The show begins promptly at 1:30 PM.
Winners announced immediately after the runway.
Judging Criteria: Creativity • Theme Fit • Presentation • Audience Energy
❤️ Contest Reminders & Fine Print
All dogs must be friendly, leashed, and supervised at all times.
Positive reinforcement only — no punitive tools.
Contest participation implies consent for event photography/video.
Event staff may remove any participant for safety reasons.
❤️ Supporting the Providence Animal Rescue League (PARL)
Holiday Paws proudly supports PARL’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in Rhode Island.
A portion of every:
Sponsorship & Small Business Support contributions
Holiday Paws Supporter contribution
Pawty Pass purchase
Santa Paws Photo purchase
Beverage sale
Tribute Tag + Ornament purchase
Mug Club purchase
Raffle
…helps fund PARL’s lifesaving work for local animals in need.