By Coral Gables Gazette staff
It’s officially spooky season in Coral Gables—and the city’s most charming costume contest isn’t just for kids.
The Coral Gables Branch Library is welcoming pet lovers of all ages to participate in its annual Howloween Pet Costume Photo Contest, where the ghosts, goblins, and ghouls arrive on four legs, with feathers, scales, or fur.
Beginning Wednesday, October 1, residents can submit a favorite photo of their pet dressed in costume to be displayed in the library’s Children’s Department. Entries will be accepted during normal operating hours through Thursday, October 31, and one lucky winner will be selected at random on Friday, November 1 to receive a pet-friendly grand prize.
How to enter—and who can participate
The contest is open to all pets—from dogs and cats to birds, reptiles, and even the less-traditional companions. All that’s needed is a photo that captures your animal’s Halloween spirit, whether spooky, sweet, or downright silly.
No digital uploads are required: simply bring a printed photo of your costumed pet to the branch anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The photo gallery will grow over the course of the month, creating a festive and lighthearted display that invites children and adults alike to stop, smile, and admire Coral Gables’ most photogenic creatures.
A whimsical tradition for all ages
The Howloween contest has become a lighthearted fall tradition at the library, offering families a chance to celebrate their pets and enjoy the season together. For young readers, the ever-growing display adds a dose of whimsy to every library visit, with superdogs, pumpkin kitties, and tiny lizards in wizard hats peeking out from the bulletin boards.
There is no cost to enter, and the contest is open to participants of all ages. Whether your pup poses as a pirate or your parrot doubles as Dracula, the event offers a fun and inclusive way to take part in the season.
Contest details and contact information
For more information, residents can contact the Coral Gables Branch Library at 305-442-8706 or email capleybr@mdpls.org. The branch is located at 3443 Segovia Street, with parking available onsite and nearby.
So dig out the doggie tiaras, dust off the cat capes, or craft a tiny superhero suit for your gecko—October in Coral Gables belongs to the pets.
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.
