We’re excited to be hosting The BIG Leicester Paws Festival 2026 in partnership with Everards Meadows – a celebration of dogs, community and local animal welfare.
Date: Saturday 29 August 2026
Time: 11am–8:15pm
Location: Everards Meadows, LE19 2AN
Spend the day exploring activity arenas, meeting fellow dog lovers, enjoying live demonstrations, browsing local stalls and making unforgettable memories with your dog, family and friends. Best of all, entry to the festival is completely free. If you’d like to get involved, you can pre-book your place in our Breed Meets, Fun Dog Show and Sausage Alley for a small fee, with every booking helping to support the cats and dogs in our care at RSPCA Woodside.
Before you arrive, be sure to download the Festival Map and Festival Programme to help you plan your day and make the most of everything the festival has to offer.
Agility
Think you’ve got what it takes to be the fastest?
Rescue Village
Learn, discover and meet the experts
Breed Meets
Make friends over a puppicino or two
Sausage Alley
Can your dog resist the ultimate temptation?
Dog Show
Show off your dog for a chance to win
Splash Zone
Make a splash in our beach themed area
Little Paws Corner
Crafts and activities for young animal lovers
Stalls & Entertainment
Shop, eat and enjoy live music
Welfare and Event Rules
To help everyone enjoy a safe and enjoyable day, please follow the guidance below.
Dogs
- Dogs remain the responsibility of their owners at all times
- Please clean up after your dog and use the bins provided
- Please keep all dogs on a lead unless instructed otherwise during an organised activity
- Fresh drinking water will be available throughout the festival site
- Ensure your dog is comfortable around people and other dogs before attending
- Do not leave dogs unattended in vehicles at any time
- Please ensure your dog has an up-to-date ID tag and is microchipped. If you become separated during the event, please visit the Lost Dog Point for support
- If your dog becomes stressed or overwhelmed, please take them to one of the designated quiet zones, marked in yellow
Families
- Children remain the responsibility of their legal guardians at all times. Lost Child Points are marked and children are encouraged to wear a wristband with a guardian’s contact details
- Please respect other visitors and give dogs space where needed
- Follow the instructions of event staff and volunteers at all times
Event Information
- Activities, timings and demonstrations may be subject to change
- Photography and videography will take place throughout the event. By attending, you may appear in promotional photographs or video used by RSPCA Woodside and event partners
- Anyone behaving in an unsafe or abusive manner may be asked to leave the event
- Alcohol purchased from Everards’ on-site pub must not be consumed within the festival field and should only be consumed within the designated pub premise
Event FAQ
Is the festival free?
Yes! Entry to The BIG Leicester Paws Festival is completely free.
Some activities have a small participation fee, including Breed Meets, Dog Show, Agility and Sausage Alley. You can book your place in advance for £3.50 with booking fee or sign up on the day (subject to availability).
Food, drink and products from stalls will also be available to purchase throughout the day.
Do I need to book?
No. You’re welcome to turn up on the day and enjoy the festival.
If you’d like to take part in our Breed Meets, Dog Show, or Sausage Alley, we encourage you to register your interest online before the event. Registering in advance helps us plan for the day, and any donations made as part of your registration help support the animals in our care. A limited number of spaces may also be available on the day, subject to availability.
Is the event suitable for children
Definitely! The BIG Leicester Paws Festival is a family-friendly event with plenty of activities for children to enjoy throughout the day.
Our dedicated children’s area, Little Paws Corner, will include arts and crafts, games, teddy adoptions, and the chance to dress up as a vet and learn more about caring for animals.
Is there food and drink available?
Yes. There will be a range of food and drink options available throughout the day, with food vendors on site and Everards’ bar open during the event.
Please note that alcohol purchased from Everards must be consumed within the designated pub area and is not permitted within the festival field.
Can I bring my dog?
Absolutely!
Please ensure your dog is comfortable around people and other dogs, and keep them on a lead unless instructed otherwise during an organised activity.
Can I enter more than one Dog Show Category?
Yes! You’re welcome to enter your dog into as many categories as you’d like, giving them more chances to show off their personality and win a prize.
Entries are subject to availability.
How do I get there?
The BIG Leicester Paws Festival is being held at Everards Meadows, LE19 2AN
Some activities have a small participation fee, including Breed Meets, Dog Show, Agility and Sausage Alley. You can book your place in advance for £3.50 with booking fee or sign up on the day (subject to availability).
Food, drink and products from stalls will also be available to purchase throughout the day.
Where should I park?
Parking is available at Everards Meadows, with additional overflow parking available on the day if required.
Alternatively, you can use the PR2 Enderby Park & Ride service to Fosse Park. A group ticket for up to 5 people costs £4, making this a convenient option if you’re travelling with family or friends.
Is the site accessible?
We want The BIG Leicester Paws Festival to be enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
Accessible parking will be available, and quiet zones will be provided for visitors and dogs who may need a calmer space away from the main festival activity.
The festival takes place on grass, but the site is largely step-free and accessible. Please note that ground conditions may vary depending on the weather.
Will the weather affect the event?
We will be monitoring the weather in the lead-up to and throughout The BIG Leicester Paws Festival to help keep everyone safe and ensure the event runs smoothly.
In the event of extreme weather conditions, some activities may need to be adapted, paused or cancelled. Any updates will be communicated as soon as possible.
If the festival is unable to go ahead on 29 August 2026, a backup date of 12 September 2026 has been reserved.
Please check the forecast before attending and dress appropriately for the weather conditions. As the festival takes place outdoors, we recommend bringing suitable clothing, footwear and anything you or your dog may need throughout the day.
Sponsored By
The BIG Leicester Paws Festival is made possible thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors and partners. Their generosity helps us create a fantastic day for our community while raising vital funds for the cats and dogs in our care.
