Your guide to the 2023 Frankenmuth Dog Bowl

FRANKENMUTH, MI — The Frankenmuth Dog Bowl returns this Memorial Day weekend, bringing hundreds of competitive dogs and tens of thousands of dog lovers to Michigan's Little Bavaria.

Here are all the details to know before you go:

Hundreds of dogs competing

Hundreds of dogs will compete in the 17th annual Frankenmuth Dog Bowl, touted as the world's largest Olympic-style festival for dogs.

Spectators can see these canine competitors in events like DockDogs and Disc Dogs of Michigan competitions, border collie sheep-herding demonstrations, a pet parade and costume contest, trick competitions and doggie fun run races.

Where and when

The dog-centric festival takes place Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28, at Frankenmuth River Place Shops, a German-themed outdoor shopping mall with more than 40 shops and attractions located at 925 S. Main.

The annual event is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors to Frankenmuth over the holiday weekend. Memorial Day is Monday, May 29. Dogs are welcome guests as long as they are kept on a 6-foot leash.

Balloons Over Bavarian Inn

Part of the festival is Balloons Over Bavarian Inn, featuring 25 hot air balloon pilots from across the country, taking to the skies for morning and evening competitions and returning to River Place Shops for nightly balloon glows throughout the weekend. Visitors will have the chance to see the hot air balloons light up and interact with pilots and their crews from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as part of the Balloon Glow Village event.

Fireworks

The 2023 Frankenmuth Dog Bowl will conclude with the Zehnder's of Frankenmuth fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. Sunday. The fireworks are visible from across Frankenmuth, and can be best viewed from the large field east of River Place Shops.

Cost

The Frankenmuth Dog Bowl is free to attend, but some events, such as the annual canine cruise on the Cass River, require a registration fee.

VIP packages are also available here.

More Frankenmuth fun

While you’re in town, be sure to check out some of the restaurants, shops and unique sites Frankenmuth has to offer. The Bavarian-themed town is home to the world's largest year-round Christmas store, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, 25 Christmas Lane; the iconic Bavarian Inn and Zehnder's restaurants, both known for their family-style chicken dinners; Zehnder's Splash Village indoor waterpark; and Frankenmuth Brewery, 425 S. Main, which is believed to be Michigan's oldest craft brewery, according to the company and the Brewers Association.

For a full schedule of events, visit dogbowlfun.com/events. And click through the gallery above to see photos from last year's event.

For more information and things to do around town, visit frankenmuth.org.

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