Schnauzers have German roots, and Helen brings Bavarian charm to the North Georgia mountains. For Schnauzerfest 8, we’re bringing those two together—celebrating the breed we love in a village that feels made for the occasion.
Helen is excited to welcome Schnauzerfest as a big part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration. German roots, Bavarian charm, and a whole lot of schnauzer spirit—it’s a natural fit!
Rome will always be part of our story. Helen is where our next chapter begins.
WELCOME TO SCHNAUZERFEST 8
A whole weekend. A whole lot of whiskers.
Miniature, Standard, or Giant—there’s a place for your schnauzer in this pack.
Bring your best friend and reconnect with your festival family, or come make new friends. Our eighth celebration brings the Schnauzerfest spirit to Helen, Georgia, with a fresh mountain-town backdrop.
Friday’s glowing Meet & Greet, Ivory Legends concert, Saturday morning’s Georgia Mountain Coaster experience, and the return of our daytime parade are confirmed! More schedule details will be announced here.
MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT
Two days to come together.
Save the dates. We’ll take care of the details as plans unfold.
15OCTOBER FRIDAY
Meet, greet & enjoy the music.
Bring your LED collars, leashes, and decorated strollers to a glowing evening Meet & Greet, then enjoy the outdoor Ivory Legends concert featuring Hugh Tyner.
4 PM · Breeders Network 5 PM · Meet & Greet 8 PM · Ivory Legends concert Following the Meet & Greet · All registered participants and their dogs are invited at no additional cost.
16OCTOBER SATURDAY
Start with a mountain thrill.
Experience the Georgia Mountain Coaster, free as part of your Schnauzerfest 8 weekend experience. Professional handlers will care for your dog while you ride.
9–10 AM · Georgia Mountain Coaster Our regular daytime parade returns! Parade time and route coming soon.
THE SCHNAUZERFEST SPIRIT
Past celebrations have brought together costumes, vendors, demonstrations, Schnauzer Idol, and a glowing evening parade. Stay tuned to see what’s coming to Helen.
BACK FOR SCHNAUZERFEST 8
Joseph Garcia & the CSO K9s return!
A familiar team. Some extraordinary Giants.
Many of you will remember Senior Team Leader Joseph Garcia and his CSO K9s, who were a big part of Schnauzerfest in 2022. We’re excited to welcome them back for our Schnauzerfest 8 celebration!
Learn more about these amazing Giant Schnauzers and how they are used in correctional law enforcement through features on our social media platforms throughout the year.
Follow along as we share more about the team leading up to Schnauzerfest 8.
MEET THE STARS. MAKE MEMORIES.
Schnauzer Celebrity Row
Your favorite social media schnauzers, beyond the screen.
Stop by Schnauzer Celebrity Row, an area of tents where you can meet your favorite social media celebrity schnauzers and their parents. Say hello, hear their stories, take photos, and make memories with the personalities you love following online.
You never know who will appear at Schnauzerfest 8—but we’ll let you know as soon as they’re confirmed!
Celebrity lineup coming soonAppearances are not yet confirmed. Watch this space for guest announcements and meet-and-greet details.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2027 · 4:00 PM
Attention Schnauzer Breeders!
Schnauzerfest Breeders Network
Join the Schnauzerfest Breeders Network on Friday, October 15, at 4:00 PM—one hour before the Meet & Greet—for a relaxed social gathering dedicated to making connections and celebrating our shared love of schnauzers.
Get to know fellow breeders, exchange ideas and practical tips, discuss pedigrees and bloodlines, explore responsible breeding collaborations, and share experiences with health testing, puppy development, training, and grooming.
Breeders are also welcome to set up tables featuring pictures, videos, and information about their breeding programs, giving Schnauzerfest attendees an opportunity to meet them, ask questions, and connect.
Whether you’re building friendships, finding a mentor, or sharing knowledge, this gathering brings our community together with the breed’s future at heart.
4:00 PM · Breeders Network 5:00 PM · Meet & Greet
FRIDAY EVENING · OCTOBER 15, 2027 · MEET & GREET
Keep the glow going!
New setting. Same sparkle.
Were you part of Schnauzerfest Rome 7? Don’t pack away those LED collars, leashes, and decorated strollers just yet!
We’re returning to our regular daytime parade, and moving all the excitement and beauty of the LED light experience to our Friday evening Meet & Greet.
Bring your lights, your schnauzers, and your festival spirit. Let’s light up our first evening together in Helen before the Ivory Legends concert at 8 PM.
Daytime parade. Friday-night glow.Meet & Greet begins at 5 PM. Location, plus the daytime parade time and route, will be announced.
Bring that SFR 7 sparkle to Helen.A little Schnauzerfest creativity.
FRIDAY NIGHT SPOTLIGHT · OCTOBER 15, 2027 · 8 PM
A little Vegas. A lot of legends.
After the Meet & Greet, the music takes center stage.
IVORY LEGENDS · FEATURING HUGH TYNER
Legendary songs. An evening under the sky.
Join Hugh Tyner for a beautiful outdoor concert celebrating the music of Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Michael McDonald, and Elton John.
Hugh performed elements of this show on the Las Vegas Strip, Lake Tahoe, Reno including 9 countries in Asia for 16 years... Now he’s bringing Ivory Legends to the Schnauzerfest family for a memorable Friday night in Helen.
You’re invited—and so is your dog.All registered Schnauzerfest participants and their dogs are invited to attend as part of their Schnauzerfest weekend experience—at no additional cost!
Friday, October 15 · 8 PM · Following the Meet & Greet Outdoor concert location to be announced.
Kick off Saturday with a little mountain excitement! Everyone is invited to experience the Georgia Mountain Coaster, free as part of your Schnauzerfest 8 weekend experience.
Before you board, professional handlers will be ready to babysit your dog and care for your four-legged friend while you enjoy the ride.
A mountain adventure for you. A caring pair of hands for your pup.
Please confirm pet fees, dog size and number limits, and availability for October 15–16, 2027 directly before booking. These are independent lodging directories, not festival room blocks.
BE PART OF THE CELEBRATION
Good dogs. Great community.
01 / VENDORS
Bring something special.
Interested in joining us as a vendor? Get in touch to ask about opportunities for Schnauzerfest 8.
Use any Get Tickets button to visit our Ticketleap event page. Take advantage of early bird registration to save $10 on dog registration and $5 on each meal ticket. Early bird registration runs November 10–17, 2026, ending at midnight on November 17. Ticket availability and purchase details are on Ticketleap.
When and where is Schnauzerfest 8?
October 15–16, 2027, in Helen, Georgia. The festival venue and parking details will be announced here.
Should I bring my LED collars, leashes, and stroller?
Yes! Bring your LED gear from SFR 7, or join the glow for the first time. The LED light experience moves to Friday evening’s Meet & Greet. Our regular parade returns to daytime, with its time and route to be announced.
Is this for all schnauzer sizes?
Yes! Schnauzerfest celebrates Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers and the people who love them.
Where can I find the full schedule?
Friday’s Ivory Legends outdoor concert featuring Hugh Tyner begins at 8 PM on October 15, following the Meet & Greet. All registered participants and their dogs are invited at no additional cost. Saturday morning, October 16, brings the Georgia Mountain Coaster experience from 9–10 AM, free as part of your Schnauzerfest 8 weekend experience, with professional handlers caring for dogs while guests ride. Additional schedule details will be added as they are confirmed.
