Pet Rock Festival Returns to Lancaster for Its 28th Year

New England’s largest animal welfare celebration is set for Oct. 4 at the Lancaster Fairgrounds

LANCASTER, MA — The Pet Rock Festival returns to the Lancaster Fairgrounds Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, marking the 28th year of New England’s largest event dedicated to animal welfare. The festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. and brings together rescue organizations, advocates, artists, vendors and animal lovers from across the region for a day centered on compassion, education, and community.

After finding a long-term home at the Lancaster Fairgrounds — a spacious, pet-friendly venue with grass, shade, and a dog-welcoming pond — organizers say the festival continues to grow in both reach and purpose.

“At its core, Pet Rock has always been about giving animals a voice,” said Charlene Arsenault, founding partner of Pet Rock Fest. “The festival has evolved over the years, but the mission hasn’t changed: creating a welcoming, engaging space where people can learn, connect and take meaningful action for animals.”

Pet Rock Fest is widely recognized as the region’s largest animal welfare gathering, featuring more than 150 rescue groups and animal welfare organizations, interactive demonstrations, family-friendly activities and programming designed to inform as much as it entertains.

Fan favorites are expected to return, including the Rescue Groups and Shelters Pet Parade, K9 demonstrations, disc dog performances by Pups in the Air, pet photo contests, the amateur dog contest, guest speakers, giveaways, and the Pet Rock Hero Awards, also known as the Juno Award, which honors outstanding contributions to animal welfare.

The festival also continues its commitment to keeping it a meatless affair. We’re loving all animals today, so Pet Rock Fest features food vendors offering vegetarian and vegan fare, along with a wide range of animal-friendly vendors. Free and low-cost pet services — including microchipping and rabies vaccinations provided by VCA Hospitals — are again planned as part of the day’s outreach efforts.

“The Lancaster Fairgrounds gives us the flexibility to grow while keeping the festival accessible and comfortable for people and pets alike,” said Jeannie Hebert, Pet Rock Fest founding partner. “Every year, we’re reminded how much this community cares — not just about their own animals, but about improving life for all animals.”

Live music remains a cornerstone of the festival experience, and organizers have already announced two acts for the 2026 lineup. Headlining this year's festival will be Decades by DeZyne, a popular New England show band known for its powerful vocals, energetic performances, and repertoire spanning six decades of music, from Motown classics to contemporary hits. Also joining the lineup are The Black Souls, a six-piece band featuring veteran musicians from the Worcester and Boston music scenes performing a crowd-pleasing mix of early rock and roll, soul, and garage rock favorites. Additional entertainment and programming announcements will be made in the coming months. 

Since its founding in 1999, Pet Rock Fest, Inc., a registered nonprofit, has donated nearly $1 million to animal-related charities, supporting causes ranging from shelters and sanctuaries to education and animal welfare reform.

Pet Rock Fest welcomes participation from attendees, volunteers, sponsors and vendors. More information about the 2026 festival, including opportunities to get involved, is available by contacting petrockfest@gmail.com.

For updates on the plans for the event, groups signed up to attend, music schedules, and other official or not-so-official news, visit petrockfest.org or check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/petrockfest, on X (formerly Twitter) @Petrockfestival, and

Instagram @petrockfest.

About Pet Rock Fest

Celebrating more than 25 years, Pet Rock Fest is the largest animal welfare festival in the Northeast. Held annually in the fall, it features guest speakers, vegetarian food, live music, games, a raffle, vendors, and participation from hundreds of animal welfare organizations. Beyond its flagship festival, Pet Rock Fest is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising funds year-round for animal welfare nonprofits and causes across New England. Donations to Pet Rock Fest are tax-deductible and directly support efforts to improve the lives of animals in need.

If you’d like more information, visit www.petrockfest.org.

Short, calendar entry below for listings: 

What: Pet Rock Fest 2026

When: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, noon to 5 p.m. 

Where: Lancaster Fairgrounds (Home of the Bolton Fair), 318-7 Bridge Road, Lancaster, MA 

Cost: $15 adults, $5 kids 12 and under 

Short Description: The 28th annual Pet Rock Festival continues to put the spotlight on the animal welfare organizations of New England that work hard to promote kindness to animals. Pet Rock Fest features live music, performances and games for kids, author signings, Pups in the Air Frisbee Dog Team, photos of your pets, animal mascots, vegetarian food court, games for kids, contests for dogs, a cat photo contest, doggie massages, a doggie water park, demonstrations, exhibits, vendors and, most importantly, hundreds of nonprofit groups devoted to animal welfare causes. 

Pet Rock Fest gives its proceeds to worthy animal related charities that support a variety of causes, from shelters to law reform to farm animal sanctuaries.