Top 10 Tips to Make the Most of the Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival 2025!
Australia’s biggest celebration of all things feline is back! The Cat Lovers Festival returns to Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 October 2025, and it’s shaping up to be our most pawsome event yet.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned cat lovers festival-goer, we want to help you get the absolute best out of your day. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide packed with top tips, insider info, and practical advice to make your festival visit truly meow-nificent.
From snapping Instagram-worthy pics and scoring exclusive festival specials, to meeting celebrity guests and cuddling adorable kitties, here’s how to make the most of your cat-filled adventure.
Got a more specific question about the Cat Lovers Festival? Then pounce over to our FAQs here.
1. Grab Your Tickets Early
Tickets are selling faster than a kitten chasing a laser pointer, so don’t delay!
It’s best to secure your tickets now as they are online only. Pounce on your tickets here!
Tickets are valid for entry on one day only — Saturday or Sunday.
You don’t need to decide just yet, but once your ticket is scanned at the gate, it’s only valid for that day.
2. Getting to the Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival
The Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival is happening at the Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale — just 7 km from Melbourne CBD and 15 minutes from Melbourne Airport.
While you can drive, take a taxi, or rideshare, onsite parking is extremely limited, so the best and easiest way to get to the Festival is by train.
Take the Train – Your Stress-Free Option
Melbourne Showgrounds has a dedicated train station operating during the Festival, with special services running direct from Southern Cross Station (platform 8), stopping at North Melbourne, then heading express to Showgrounds.
- Saturday & Sunday Services:
- From 8:15 am – every 30 minutes
- From 10:15 am – every 40 minutes
- Return trains: stop at North Melbourne, then Southern Cross (change for the City Loop if needed)
Why take the train?
- Avoid stressing over limited car parking
- Skip traffic and enjoy a hassle-free journey
- Arrive right at the Festival entrance
Bus
- Route 472 (Williamstown ↔ Moonee Ponds): stops on Langs Rd
- Route 404 (Footscray ↔ Moonee Ponds): stops at Epsom & Ascot Vale Rds
Tram – Route 57
- Heads up: tram outage on Route 57 from the CBD to the Showgrounds during the festival. Replacement buses will run between Stop 20 (Melrose St & Flemington Rd) and Stop 9 (Howard St & Victoria St) to get you from the city to the Showgrounds.
- Check the PTV website for the latest details.
Driving & Parking
- Enter via Gate 7, Leonard Crescent, Ascot Vale VIC 3032 (View on Google Maps).
- Traffic management marshals will guide you to the closest available car park.
- We have also secured additional parking in 2025 to make your journey easier.Â
- Check Melbourne Showgrounds website for entry gates and fees
Taxi / Rideshare
- Drop-off at Gate 7
Accessibility
- Melbourne Showgrounds is fully accessible with ramps, lifts, and accessible toilets.
- More info here.
Pro Tip: To make your Festival day smooth and stress-free, catch the train — it’s hands down the easiest way to arrive on time and ready for all the purr-fect action!
3. Download the Festival App
Your ultimate festival companion is just a tap away. Download the free Festival App to access:
- Full event schedule
- Exhibitor list & festival-exclusive offers
- Interactive map
- Competitions and giveaways you can enter with a single tap!
- Plus, it’s the ONLY way to access hundreds of exclusive competitions and giveaways from our exhibitors.
Trust us, this app will help you squeeze every drop of fun out of your feline-filled day.
Download on Apple | Download on Google Play
4. Hunt Down the Festival Specials
With hundreds of cat-focused exhibitors under one roof, it’s the best place to stock up on toys, treats, accessories, food, litter, and more! Often at festival-only prices. Your cat will thank you. Full details here.
To access any of the festival specials, competitions and free samples you will have to scan the QR code within the Festival App (not your event ticket). Download the Festival App and get more info here.
Note that the venue is a cashless establishment. Please bring your own debit or credit card to make purchases throughout the venue and with our exhibitors. Some exhibitors will accept cash, but this is the exception. Not the rule.
5. Don’t Miss Any of the Amazing Festival Attractions
There’s so much to explore at the Cat Lovers Festival! Enjoy live presentations and Q&As featuring special guests like Sonia Hank on the WHISKAS® Stage. Plus, discover the Pat-A-Cat by Feline Natural, Breed Showcase, Championship Cat Show, Adoption Zone, Kitty Cosplay parade, and much more.
Be sure to use the Festival App to check the full schedule and locations so you don’t miss out on any of the exciting attractions and activities throughout the day.
6. Double the Fun at the Dog Lovers Festival
Did you know your ticket includes free access to the Dog Lovers Festival next door? That’s two great festival for the price of one – the paw-ssibilities are endless!
7. Join the Cat Spotting Challenge
Are you up for a purr-fectly fun challenge to win over $3,500 in prizes for your cat?
Join our Cat Spotting Competition at the Cat Lovers Festival and go in the draw to win over $3,500 worth of cat-tastic prizes.
Here’s how to play:
- Hunt down 8 hidden cats around the Festival
- Use the QR code scanner from the festival app and scan each hidden kitty QR code. To scan QR codes at the Festival, open the Festival App and swipe to the second page. You’ll find the QR Code Scanner there — just tap to start scanning.
- Track your progress in our Festival App
- Once you find all 8, you’ll automatically go in the draw to win the ultimate prize pack to spoil your feline friend
It’s free to play, fun for all ages, and the perfect way to explore everything the Festival has to offer.
Get spotting, get scanning, and good luck.
8. Respect Our Feline Guests
We love cats just as much as you do — but to ensure the safety and well-being of all, visitor cats aren’t permitted at the Festival.
The event is designed to celebrate, educate, and entertain cat lovers, not the cats themselves. With hundreds of amazing felines already onsite, you’ll still have plenty of chances to cuddle, connect, and learn.
Many of the cats attending are rescues, therapy cats, or breed ambassadors. They may need space, so please follow handler instructions and approach with care and kindness.
9. Pack Smart with a Tote or Backpack
From freebies and surprise buys to must-have products for your cat, you’ll likely leave with more than you came with! Bring a comfy tote or backpack to stash your haul and keep your hands free for pats and pics.
Bonus Tip: We offer free Visitor Storage (Parcel Pick-Up) for hand-carried items — perfect for dropping off purchases throughout the day!
Just check in with Festival staff for location details! (no suitcases or large trolleys left in parcel pick-up, please).
And don’t forget to BYO bag — we don’t sell them on-site.
10. Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, so remember to take a breather! There’ll be plenty of food trucks, rest zones, and coffee stops to keep you going throughout the day.
Bonus Tip: Get Social!
Join the conversation and be part of our growing cat-loving community.
Post your best moments with #CatLoversFestival
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok for sneak peeks, updates, and giveaways.
Let the Cat-tastic Fun Begin!
Whether you’re coming solo, bringing the kids, or planning a day out with fellow cat lovers, the 2025 Cat Lovers Festival is the ultimate celebration of everything we love about our feline friends.
Book your tickets, plan your day, and get ready for a weekend you’ll never forget!
Event Details:
Date: Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 October 2025
Location: Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale.
Need tickets? Want more info?
Click here to visit the official Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival website.
