Top 10 Tips to Make the Most of the Sydney Cat Lovers Festival 2026!

Sydney will be bursting with feline fun on August 22 & 23 as cat lovers from across New South Wales and beyond come together for one of the greatest cat-dedicated festivals on the planet.

The Cat Lovers Festival is taking over Halls 5 and 6 at Sydney Showground for two unforgettable days packed with incredible cats, expert advice, interactive attractions, adoption groups and some of the best cat brands in the pet world.

With so much happening across the weekend, a little planning goes a long way. Here are our top tips to help you make the most of your day, so you don’t miss a single purr-fect moment.

1. Pounce on Your Tickets Early

Tickets are limited and expected to sell fast.
If you haven’t secured yours yet, now’s the time.

👉 Pounce on your tickets here

Remember, tickets are valid for one day only, so you’ll need a separate ticket if you want to attend on both Saturday and Sunday.

Lock it in early so you can relax and focus on enjoying the ultimate day out for cat lovers.

2. Download the Festival App

Your purr-fect Festival companion!

Get the free Festival App to:

• Browse the full event timetable
• Save your favourite sessions and build your personalised Festival schedule
• Explore attractions, presenters and exhibitors
• Navigate the Festival with the interactive map
• Discover free samples, Festival specials and featured products
• Access exclusive competitions and giveaways

The App is the only way to access hundreds of exclusive competitions and giveaways from Festival exhibitors.

We recommend downloading it before Festival day, as large crowds can affect mobile network speeds inside the venue.

Download on App Store | Download on Google Play

👉 Learn more about the Festival App here

3. Plan Your Journey to Sydney Showground

The Festival will be held at:

Sydney Showground
Halls 5 and 6
Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park

Public transport is a great option, but there are some important changes to know about.

Due to ongoing trackwork, buses will replace trains between Lidcombe and Olympic Park stations during the Festival. Replacement buses are expected to run every 5–7 minutes.

Approximate travel times are:

• Central: 30 minutes
• Parramatta: 18 minutes

If you’re driving, parking can fill quickly, so we strongly recommend pre-booking your parking before the Festival.

Other options include:

• Taxi or rideshare drop-off at the entrance to The Dome
• Ferry services to Sydney Olympic Park Wharf, approximately 3km from the town centre
• Accessible parking and pathways connecting the car parks and Festival entrance

Check the Transport NSW Trip Planner before leaving for the latest service information.

👉 Explore all transport and parking options here

4. Explore the Best Cat Brands and Festival Deals

Get ready to enter the ultimate feline shopping paradise!

Across the Cat Expo and Marketplace, you’ll discover the latest and greatest products and services from leading cat brands, boutique businesses, clever start-ups and passionate creators.

Shop everything from:

• Premium food and tasty treats
• Toys and enrichment products
• Beds, scratching furniture and accessories
• Health and grooming essentials
• Pet technology
• Expert advice and professional services
• Unique boutique products for cats and cat lovers

You’ll also find free samples, featured products, exclusive competitions and Festival-only specials you won’t want to miss.

👉 Explore all exhibitors and Festival specials here

Come ready to discover, shop and find plenty of new ways to spoil your cat at home.

5. Don’t Miss the Attractions Across the Festival

There’s something happening everywhere you turn, so check the timetable and plan your must-see moments before you arrive.

Festival highlights include:

• Cat Chat: Join relaxed and interactive conversations with leading veterinarians, behaviourists, nutritionists and feline specialists
• Breed & Adoption Stage: Learn about different breeds, responsible cat ownership, adoption, enrichment and finding the right cat for your lifestyle
• Breed Showcase: Meet rare and well-known breeds and speak with leading cat associations and expert breeders
• Pat-A-Cat: Meet and interact with a variety of beautiful cats in a safe and relaxed setting
• Adoption Zone: Meet cats looking for future families and connect with dedicated adoption groups
• SASH Ask-A-Vet: Speak one-on-one with veterinary experts about your cat’s health and wellbeing
• Cat Expo: Discover the latest products, services and brands created for cats
• The Marketplace: Browse unique products from boutique cat businesses, start-ups and creators
• The Purr Trail: Follow the trail around the Festival for your chance to win cat-tastic prizes
• I ❤️ Cats: Capture the ultimate cat-lover selfie

👉 Explore all Sydney attractions here

6. Join The Purr Trail

Are you ready for a purr-fect Festival adventure?

Follow The Purr Trail around the Cat Lovers Festival for your chance to win cat-tastic prizes for your feline friend.

Here’s how to take part:

• Look out for The Purr Trail locations around the Festival
• Scan the QR codes as you make your way along the trail
• Use the Festival App to keep track of your progress
• Complete the trail to go into the draw to win

It’s a fun way to explore the Festival, discover different attractions and sniff out some pawsome prizes along the way.

👉 Learn more about The Purr Trail here

7. Leave Your Cat at Home

As much as we absolutely love cats, visitors unfortunately can’t bring their own cats to the Festival.

This helps protect the health, safety and wellbeing of:

• The hundreds of cats already participating in the Festival
• Our visitors, including young children
• Your own cat, as large crowds, unfamiliar surroundings and lots of stimulation can be stressful

All participating cats are carefully selected, assessed and monitored to ensure they are comfortable throughout the Festival. The team can’t pre-check the behaviour, health or vaccination status of every visiting cat.

Accredited Assistance or Service Animals are welcome. Visitors must provide evidence of formal training or an appropriate travel pass at entry.

Please never leave your cat or another animal tied up outside the venue or unattended in a vehicle.

Don’t worry, you’ll still get your full feline fix! You’ll be able to meet beautiful cats, learn from leading experts, connect with adoption groups and breeders, and return home with products, treats and plenty of new knowledge for your own cat.

👉 Read the full visitor cat policy here

8. Follow the Cat Interaction Guidelines

We know you’ll want to meet every cat, and honestly, we get it.

To keep every interaction safe and enjoyable, please remember to:

• Always ask the owner or handler before approaching or interacting with a cat
• Follow all signage and handler instructions
• Use the hand sanitiser provided after patting cats
• Supervise infants and children during every interaction
• Leave sleeping or resting cats alone
• Never approach cats inside crates, enclosures or behind barriers without permission
• Listen for Festival announcements regarding cat safety and welfare
• Alert Festival staff if you notice a stressed cat or have any welfare concerns

Participating cats have access to fresh water, litter trays, comfortable beds and quiet spaces away from the crowds. Roving welfare staff and onsite veterinarians will also monitor their wellbeing throughout the Festival.

👉 Read the full Cat Welfare Guidelines here

9. Visit Two Festivals for the Price of One

Here’s an added bonus for animal lovers: your Cat Lovers Festival ticket also includes free entry to the Dog Lovers Festival, happening next door in The Dome and Hall 2!

That means you can explore two incredible Festivals with the same ticket on the same day.

Once you’ve experienced all the feline fun, head next door to discover:

• VitaPet Arena
• Kurgo® DockDogs
• Breed Showcase
• Pat-A-Pooch
• Adoption Zone
• SASH Ask-A-Vet
• TV Su-Paw-Stars
• Dog Expo and Marketplace
• I ❤️ Dogs

Please note that you must visit both Festivals on the same day shown on your ticket.

10. Stay Fuelled and Enjoy the Day

There’s a lot to see, so give yourself time to explore without rushing.

With cafes, food trucks, coffee and seating areas available throughout the venue, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to recharge before heading back into the feline fun.

Make sure you arrive early, check your saved App timetable and allow some flexibility between sessions for shopping, meeting cats and discovering attractions along the way.

Bonus Tip: Get Social 📲

Join the cat-loving community and share the fun:

• Tag your favourite Festival moments @catloversfestival
• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok
• Keep an eye out for Festival updates, competitions and behind-the-scenes moments
• Don’t forget to snap a photo at the I ❤️ Cats wall

Let the Feline Fun Begin!

Whether you’re coming solo, meeting friends or bringing the whole family, the Sydney Cat Lovers Festival is the ultimate celebration of everything we love about cats.

Book your tickets, download the App, plan your journey and get ready for a weekend filled with cats, shopping, expert advice and unforgettable moments.

Event Details

📅 Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 August 2026
⏰ 9:30am–5pm daily
📍 Halls 5 and 6, Sydney Showground
Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park

Need tickets or more information?

👉 Visit the official Sydney Cat Lovers Festival website