Key Points
- Barklove will return to SWG3 in Glasgow on Sunday 5 July 2026 for its second edition, after debuting in 2025.
- The event is being promoted as a full-day festival for dog lovers, with activities for both dogs and people, and attendance is possible even without bringing a dog.
- Organisers say the 2026 programme will include a fun agility area, wellness sessions, dog-inspired art, education workshops, a market, a fun dog show and DJ sets.
- Special features include a live session with Travis musician Dougie Payne and illustrator Rachel Seago tied to the book Poochie Pete And His Very Big Feet.
- The market is set to feature more than 30 independent dog-focused brands, makers, creatives and experts from Scotland and across the UK.
- The festival will also include charities and welfare organisations, with visitors able to learn about their work and support opportunities.
- Early bird tickets sold out quickly, while general tickets remain on sale, according to SWG3.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) May 25, 2026 – Barklove will return to SWG3 on Sunday 5 July 2026 for a second year, with the venue describing it as the “ultimate festival for dog lovers” and a day built around dogs, their owners and wider dog enthusiasts. The festival follows its 2025 debut and will once again take over the full SWG3 complex, including indoor and outdoor spaces.
The event is being staged as a one-day summer gathering that organisers say can be enjoyed with a dog or without one. SWG3 says the idea is to create a “feel good” celebration with activities that can be explored at a canine pace.
What will be in the programme?
According to SWG3, the programme will span agility, education, wellness, shopping, entertainment and live creative activity. A bespoke Fun Agility Area, hosted by Bearsden Dog Training Club, will give dogs space to run, stretch and build confidence. Scottish Canine Wellness will also run Paws & Reset classes designed for owners and dogs to unwind together.
Barkworks, a collaboration with Yardworks Festival, will bring live mural painting by FRODRIK and other street-art style activities. Print Clan is also returning with live screen-printing. Organisers say there will be dog-friendly DJ sets across the day, along with a fun dog show and stalls to browse.
Who is appearing at the festival?
One of the main announced features is an interactive event with Dougie Payne of Travis, who will present his debut picture book Poochie Pete And His Very Big Feet alongside illustrator Rachel Seago. SWG3 says the session will include a live reading, draw-along activities and musical moments inspired by the story.
The education strand will also include an animal CPR and first aid demonstration from Vets Now Hospital Glasgow, plus advice on home grooming from Shannon Burke and Erin McElroy of Shampooch Dog Grooming. Tarot by Peachy, which proved popular at the debut event, is returning with dog-themed tarot readings.
What can visitors buy or browse?
The Barklove Market is expected to feature more than 30 independent dog-focused brands, makers, creatives and experts. Among the names listed are BowWow House, Maisie and Murphy, Shelby’s Dog Bakery, Paw Originals, Little Paws Pet Shop, Wild Paws and Claws, Walkie Mountains, Cosmopawliton and WagsWhiskersGifts.
Visitors will also be able to meet White Wedding Canine Co., which specialises in professional wedding canine care across Scotland, and Natural Pet Pharmacy, which is focusing on pet wellness. Pawtrait Art Studio will offer live portrait drawing, while Dogs and Pups Dog Training will share practical tips throughout the day.
What did organisers say?
Barklove founder Jenn Nimmo-Smith said creating the festival was “a real dream come true”, describing it as a way to combine her love of dogs with her background in events. She said bringing Barklove back to SWG3 on 5 July felt like the perfect summer day and said she could not wait to welcome dogs and dog lovers back together again.
SWG3 says early bird tickets sold out quickly and general tickets are now on sale. The venue also says further programme details will be announced later.
Explore More Local Glasgow News
Boy Hospitalised Since Birth Meets Celtic Heroes in Glasgow 2026
Judi’s Restored Victorian Glasgow Flat House Tour, Glasgow 2026
Background of development
Barklove first emerged as a new Glasgow festival aimed specifically at dogs and their owners, filling a niche in the city’s events calendar. Its 2025 debut at SWG3 combined practical dog care elements, entertainment, workshops and a marketplace, which appears to have helped establish demand for a return in 2026.
The festival has been positioned as both a community event and a lifestyle day out, mixing dog training, wellness, shopping and family-friendly activity in one venue. The return in 2026 suggests organisers are building the event into a recurring part of Glasgow’s summer cultural schedule.
Prediction
For dog owners in Glasgow, Barklove’s return is likely to offer a useful mix of entertainment and practical advice in one place, which may make it attractive to people looking for a day out that includes their pets. For local traders, charities and dog-focused businesses, the event may provide a targeted audience and a platform to reach customers and supporters who already have an interest in animal care.
For the wider audience, including people without dogs, the festival could still work as a social event centred on live demonstrations, art and browsing, which may help broaden its appeal beyond pet owners. If attendance stays strong, Barklove may continue to grow as a regular fixture at SWG3, with more programme announcements likely to deepen interest before the July date.
