Plenty of us don’t go anywhere in the van without the dog. A campervan or VW festival can be a great weekend for them too.
It only works if you plan for a busy field, music, other dogs and a few nights off routine. This guide covers the practical stuff, so you both enjoy the trip. It is a year-round look at dog-friendly campervan festivals, not a recap of one event.
Check the dog rules before you book
Not every event suits dogs, even if the camping field looks relaxed. Read the rules on that festival’s own site before you buy tickets. Check whether dogs are welcome at all. Look for any no-go areas, such as indoor marquees. See whether dogs need their own ticket. Many events also want leads on at all times.
If the information is thin, email the organisers and wait for a clear answer. Do not assume last year’s rules still apply. Policies change.
It is also worth a word with your vet before a busy weekend. PDSA says every UK dog needs up-to-date core vaccines. It also recommends a kennel cough vaccine if your dog mixes with a lot of other dogs. The same applies if they go to dog events and shows. That is general health advice, not a ticket rule. Ask your own vet what makes sense for your dog.
Leads, etiquette and clearing up
Festival fields are busy. There are vans, guy ropes, food, children and plenty of other dogs. A lead keeps your dog close when something sudden happens. Keep the lead on in the crowds and on the camping pitches, unless that event clearly says otherwise.
Use a lead you can control in a tight space. Give other dogs and people a bit of room. The sausages on the next table are not a buffet.
Clear up every time, and carry more poo bags than you think you need. Nobody wants to step in a surprise on the way to the kettle. Be a good neighbour on the field. Keep your dog off other people’s pitches, and do not leave them tied up in a walkway.
In England and Wales, a dog in a public place must wear a collar. Put your name and address on the collar, or on a tag. That still applies if your dog has a microchip, and if they also wear a harness. Pack the collar as well as the lead.
Shade at the pitch (and why gazebos might be out)
Shade is not a nice extra on a summer weekend. PDSA says dogs should always have access to shade and water on warm days. Blue Cross also warns that even 20C can be too much. Flat-faced, older, very young or overweight dogs feel it first.
Some events do not allow gazebos or event shelters. If that is the case, plan shade from the van itself. Park with the side door out of the sun if you can. Open the pop-top for airflow, or sit in the lee of the van.
An awning on the side of the vehicle is often fine even when a free-standing gazebo is not. Check the wording for that event, because the details vary.
Never leave your dog alone in a warm van. The RSPCA is clear on this. A car can reach 47C within an hour when it is only 22C outside. That can happen in the shade, or with the windows open. PDSA says not even for a few minutes. Take the dog with you if you wander off to a stage or the stalls. Otherwise leave a person with them.
Water and keeping cool
Pack a bowl and a bottle you can refill. Find the water points when you arrive, and keep a full bottle at the pitch. Offer water often, not just when you stop for food. Take water with you when you walk the site.
Give them breaks out of the sun. Midday is the sticky part of a festival, so use the van as a quiet, shady pause. A damp towel under them, or a cooling mat, can help on a hot pitch. Do not drape a wet towel over them, as PDSA says that can trap heat.
Watch for signs they are too hot. Heavy panting, drooling, wobbling, low energy or bright red gums all matter. If you are worried, get them into the shade, start cooling them, and contact a vet quickly. The RSPCA and PDSA both have clear advice on heatstroke.
Noise, crowds and nervous dogs
Festivals are loud. There is music, busy arenas, generators, tannoy calls and a fairground. Dogs Trust says a fear of loud noises is very common. Almost half of owners in its research reported signs of fear or anxiety.
Watch your dog, not just the line-up. Subtle signs include clinginess, ears back, ignoring treats, lip-licking or wanting to hide. If they are struggling, step away. A quiet corner of the van, with a familiar blanket, can be enough of a reset. Stay with them, keep your own voice calm, and do not tell them off for being scared.
Some dogs love the fuss. Others will hate it, and that is fine. If your dog finds crowds and noise hard, this may not be their weekend. Leave them with someone they know, or pick a quieter trip. The Kennel Club also suggests plenty of breaks away from the noise at busy public events. Keep them on a lead if they feel nervous.
Dog shows: the fun bit
Festival dog shows tend to be a bit of fun, not a formal breed ring. Think character, a bit of fancy dress and a waggy walk around a roped-off patch of grass. They are a nice way to meet other owners, if your dog enjoys a bit of attention.
Only enter if your dog is happy around people and other dogs. Keep them on a lead unless the organisers ask otherwise. Have a poo bag and some water with you. If they freeze, hide or get snappy, give it a miss and go for a quiet wander instead. There will be other weekends.
Check the event’s own details for times, how to enter, and any extras. Those details change from show to show, so this guide will not guess them here.
Packing list for your dog
A short kit list goes a long way. You already know your dog. This is the year-round stuff that makes a festival field easier.
- A lead you can control, and a spare
- Their collar and ID tag, with your name and address
- A harness, if that is how you walk them
- More poo bags than you think you need
- A water bowl and a refillable bottle
- Their usual food, plus a little extra
- Treats they actually like
- A familiar blanket or bed
- A towel
- Any regular medication
- A favourite toy
- A cooling mat if the forecast looks warm
Tick off the vet stuff before you leave. Boosters, flea and worm treatment, and any medication should be in date. Coming in from outside the UK? Check the current GOV.UK rules on bringing a pet to Great Britain. Do not leave that to the week of the festival.
At Dubbed Out 2027
Dogs are welcome at Dubbed Out 2027. Keep them on a lead at all times and clear up after them. They can go into the outdoor arena areas, but not the indoor marquees. There is a dog show on the Sunday, with prizes. The site does not allow gazebos or event shelters, so plan shade from the van.
There are no fireworks at Dubbed Out Festival.
The festival runs from Thursday 29 July to Sunday 1 August 2027 at the Royal Cheshire Showground, Knutsford. The attendee entrance is on Pickmere Lane, postcode WA16 0JE. Sunday is free entry for everyone. Simply arrive and pay £5 for your parking. Under 5s go free.
Tickets go on sale through Ticket Tent on 31 January 2027, with early access for newsletter sign-ups. They are not on sale yet. Pop your email in at dubbedoutfestival.co.uk so you hear first when they go on sale. The festival app at app.dubbedout.co.uk is worth having on your phone for the weekend too.
For more on the weekend, see our campervan festival FAQ and our 2027 first-timer’s guide.
