Video by Joshua Cajas

Attention all Brussels Griffon and Affenpinscher lovers! NYC Griffs is thrilled to announce our biggest meetup of the year – Griff Gala 2023. This black-tie extravaganza is the most exciting and talked about dog fashion event of the year, and we invite you to be a part of it.

Griffs from all over the country will come dressed in their most creative looks based on a set theme. It's like The Met Gala, but for pets! There will be a red carpet, VIP swag bags, a sweepstakes fundraiser for the National Brussels Griffon Rescue, and more.

Sunday May 7th

  • What: Griff Gala

  • When: May 7th 2022 from 1:00pm-4:00pm

  • Where: The Sanctuary (view link for location and travel details) 851 Main St, New York, NY 10044 (Rosevelt Island). Please note there is a 5 Boro Bike tour the day of our event, please see more details below. Extra commute time of up to 1 hour is highly recommended.

  • Dress code: Get all decked out, or come casual and take in the spectacle of those that went big!

Tickets are on sale now, and they include entry to our private oasis venue on Roosevelt Island for one Griffon and one human. Additional same household dogs and humans tickets are available in limited quantity. Each human will receive a drink ticket and light bites and nibbles will be provided. There will also be lots of fun extras for the pups, including dedicated themed photo areas and vendors such as The Pupper Cup, Andrea Cáceres, Woofbowl, NYC Pet Pawtographer, and Must Love Dogs and Comedy.

The highlight of the evening will be the costume contest with prizes so get creative and come dressed to impress. For those who want an extra touch of VIP treatment, there's an event swag add-on available, featuring a tote with custom art by Cathi Mingus, a custom tag by Grumpy Dog Club, and more. Please note that this add-on is available in limited quantities and must be purchased by April 1st.

We can't wait to celebrate the beginning of glorious spring in NY with over 50 of our amazing Griffon friends! Don't forget to join us on May 6th from 6-8pm for the Museum of the Dog welcome reception. All links for ticket purchase can be found on the NYC Griffs site under Griff Gala. A special thanks to Cathi Mingus for the event artwork. We hope to see you there!

We are thrilled to announce our sponsors who have generously donated prizes for the National Brussels Griffon Rescue sweepstakes!

Event Vendors

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR THE DAY OF OUR EVENT

There will be MANY road closures and we recommend leaving up to 1 hour earlier than planned to navigate this. We also urge use of public transportation if possible. The Queens road closures will be roughly from 8am-2pm. We anticipate leaving the venue by Uber will be easier than arriving and recommend public transportation if possible. The Rosevelt Island Bridge will remain open and the NYPD will allow traffic through at specific intersections in intervals. We will update this page as we get more information.

via Public Transportation:

Arrive onto Roosevelt Island by subway on the F train, or for a unique view of the city, take the aerial tramway from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. You can also arrive by the Astoria Line ferry (catch it from Long Island City or Manhattan).

Once on Roosevelt Island, there is a free red Shuttle Bus that loops around the island that is dog friendly. Catch it at the public transportation hub and take it to the Octagon stop (888 Main Street). The Sanctuary is a 3-minute walk toward the river to our 851 Main Street address. Walk through the small parking lot of the Octagon (you’ll walk by tennis courts and a baseball field on your left, Octagon on your right). Turn right at the stop sign and follow the road down toward the river to reach The Sanctuary around the corner on your left; it’s a dead-end road.

Instead of the Shuttle Bus, you can also walk along the beautiful Westside waterfront promenade park (alongside the Manhattan skyline) until you pass the pier that looks like a boat bow; The Sanctuary will be on the right. The walk is a leisurely 15 minutes.

Driving:

The Sanctuary is tucked away on the northwest waterfront of Roosevelt Island, next to the Octagon residential buildings. Drive onto Roosevelt Island from Long Island City, where there is garage parking right when you come onto the island, or try metered street parking along Main St. as you near the Sanctuary address (851 Main Street). There is limited parking directly at The Sanctuary.

Uber/taxi drop-off at The Octagon (you’ll walk by tennis courts and a baseball field on your left, Octagon on your right). Turn right at the stop sign and follow the road down toward the river to reach The Sanctuary around the corner on your left; it’s a dead-end road.

Parking:

Very limited parking onsite. Roosevelt Island Parking Garage information can be found here: https://rioc.ny.gov/299/Driving

More on the bike tour here: https://www.bike.nyc/events/td-five-boro-bike-tour/