2026 Cat Conventions, Expos, Major Cat Shows & Film Festivals
Are you looking to mark your new calendar with some fun feline-themed events? From cat conventions and cat shows to cat festivals and major pet adoption events, we have the scoop!
NOTE: Check–and doublecheck–events as you make your plans.
Have we missed any of your favorites? Email us at editors@cattipper.com!
Nationwide Cat Film Festivals
New York Cat Film Festival®
A meow-velous mix of feline-themed flicks and philanthropy, feline-loving film fans helping to raise funds for animal welfare groups.
CatVideoFest
Cat lovers across the country can thrill at the silver screen artistry of the next CATherine Deneuve, PAW Newman or CLAWdette Colbert thanks to this traveling feline-themed film festival! The showing of the cute cat clip compilation benefits area animal welfare organizations. 2026 Dates Pending
California Cat Shows & Expos
CFA’s San Diego Cat Show
- When: Jan. 24-25, 2026
- Where: Del Mar Fairground, San Diego, CA
The largest cat show in the Western US, this two-day event features dozens of cat breeds, rescues, cat agility and more.
Costa Mesa CATSTRAVAGANZA
- When: Jan. 17, 2026
- Where: OC Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa
Shop for cat items, talk with breeders and rescues, learn more about cat behavior and watch a cat show at this two-day event.
Malibu Cat Club
- When: 2026 dates to be announced
- Where: Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 Verdugo Road, Glendale
Space will be donated to area rescues and shelters at this all breed and household pet cat show.
CatCon
- When: Oct. 10-11, 2026
- Where: Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green Street, Pasadena
A weekend-long celebration of feline veneration, CatCon is virtual catnip to animal lovers, who enjoy everything from cat seminars and spotting celebrities to mulling over feline meowchandise and meeting adorable adoptables.
Past conventions have included appearances by such two- and four-legged stars as Ian Somerhalder, Tricia Helfer, Jackson Galaxy, Moshow the Cat Rapper, Oskar the Blind Cat and his cat companion Klaus, and Lil Bub. The perfect combination of feline-themed fun and philanthropy, the event raises funds for several animal welfare organizations.
Florida
Sarasota CATSTRAVAGANZA
- When: Jan. 24, 2026
- Where: Robarts Arena
Illinois
POP Cats Chicago
- When: March 21-22, 2026
- Where: Artifact Events at 4325 N Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago
Chicago’s slogan is “second to none,” and the The Windy City certainly takes first place in the hearts of cat lovers when POP Cats Chicago blows into town! The two-day event is a mix of pop culture, art, our feline friends, philanthropy… and lots of fun!
TICA ShowCats Chicago Great American Cat Show
- When: Jan. 2-4, 2026
- Where: Tinley Park Convention Center, Tinley Park, Illinois
From meet and greets with dozens of cat breeds to a feline fashion show, this multi-day event also features vendors, cat grooming seminars, therapy cats and more.
Maryland
World of Pets Expo featuring The Cats & Behives Show
- When: Jan. 23-25, 2026
- Where: Timonium, MD
World of Pets is the largest consumer pet show on the East Coast; along with general pet areas, the expo will also feature a dedicated area for The Cats & Behives Show (with no dogs allowed in this part of the expo). The event features an 18-ring TICA cat show, and cat fanciers will be on hand to answer questions about specific cat breeds.
Minnesota
Cat Video Festival
- When: 2026 TBA
- Where: CHS Field at 360 North Broadway Street, St. Paul, Minnesota
For one day during the sweltering season cats take over the dog days of summer during a video festival that shines a spotlight on the big screen talent of the next Brad Kitt, Meowlon Brando or Joan Clawford. Held at the home of the St. Paul Saints baseball team, the event never fails to hit a home run in the hearts of feline-loving film fans, with the presentation of mini-mewvies helping to raise funds for animals in need.
New Jersey
Super Pet Expo
- When: Jan. 9-11, 2026
- Where: NJ Convention and Exposition Center at 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison
A feline- and Fido-friendly event, the expo offers insight into pet training, nutrition and health through talks from animal experts; pet entertainment (including a feline agility course demonstration!); a “pet me” cat area where fans of felines can meet four-legged members of the Garden Cat Club; the opportunity to shop among more than 150 vendor booths; adorable adoptables from area rescue organizations, and much more!
New York
Broadway Barks
- When: 2026 TBA
- Where: Shubert Alley in New York City
An adoption event created by animal-loving entertainment icons Bernadette Peters and the late Mary Tyler Moore, each year Broadway barks…and meows!, as companion animals from close to 30 area shelters and rescue organizations try to land coveted real life roles in the lives of forever pet parents during a star-studded afternoon!
New York Cat Film Festival®
- When: 2026 dates TBA
- Where: Village East by Angelika theater
See Nationwide Film Festivals, above
Ohio
Columbus Pet Expo
- When: March 13-15, 2026
- Where: Columbus
The Cat Fanciers Association International Cat Show
- When: Oct. 10-11, 2026
- Where: Cleveland, Ohio
An annual homage to the beauty and grace of our feline friends, competitive cats strive to claw their way to the podium of the world’s most prestigious cat show.
Each year more than 1,000 cats take part in the event, which not only includes judging for the best of the breeds, but also feline agility competitions, meet and greets with celebrity cats, places to pet our pals who purr, a cat costume and CatWalk contest, eduCATional workshops and shelter adoptions!
A pageant with a higher purpose, proceeds from the event benefit the Winn Feline Foundation.
Texas
The International Feline Showcase New Year’s After Party
- When: January 9-11, 2026
- Where: The Omni Corpus Christi at 900 North Shoreline Boulevard, Corpus Christi, Texas
Known as The Sparkling City By the Sea, cats will show off their sparkling purrsonalities and shiny coats as they try to earn the role of the event’s reigning Ragdoll.
Houston Cat Club Charity Cat Show
- Where: January 10-11, 2026
- Where: Hilton Houston North
A happening which helps raise funds for our four-legged friends in need, the event shines a spotlight on the beauty of all breeds and household pets.
Pop Cats Austin
- When: Aug. 8-9, 2026
- Where: Palmer Events Center, Austin
Austin, Texas may have a reputation as one of the most dog-friendly spots in the country, but the city will show its love for our feline friends when POP Cats returns for two days of devotion to our pals who meow.
Virginia
Super Pet Expo
- When: March 13-15, 2026
- Where: Chantilly, VA
Washington
Petpalooza
- When: May 16, 2026
- Where: Auburn, Washington
A free day of fun for both the two- and four-legged members of your family, the event includes a pet contest, low-cost animal services, giveaway, more than 150 vendor stalls, pet adoptions and much more!
POP Cats Seattle
- When: March 18-19, 2026
- Where: Seattle Center Exhibition Center
This two-day event is a mix of pop culture, art, our feline friends and philanthropy.
Canada
Toronto CATSTRAVAGANZA
- When: Feb. 28, 2026
- Where: Exhibition Place, Queen Elizabeth Building, Toronto
Meet local rescues, shop for cat items at the Shopping Village or learn more about cat breeds at this event which donates a portion of all proceeds to help cats in emergency rescue situations through The Meserve Foundation.
Edmonton International Cat Festival
- When: May 31, 2026
The Edmonton International Cat Festival celebrates cats and cat culture, while raising money and awareness for rescues helping cats in need!
Canadian Pet Expo
- When: April 3-5, 2026
- Where: Mississauga, Ontario
This expansive indoor pet event includes a TICA Cat Show, celebrity pet appearances, grooming demonstrations and over 300 vendors.
United Kingdom
Supreme Cat Show
- When: April 26, 2026
- Where: Exhibition Centre, Liverpoop
This annual cat show, the UK’s largest, is organized by the world’s oldest cat registry, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.
Looking for more cat shows?
This calendar lists major cat shows but many, many smaller shows are held. These sites feature cat shows of all sizes:
- TICA show calendar (global)
- Cat Fanciers’ Association calendar (global)
- Federation Internationale Feline (global)
- World Cat Federation shows (global)
- American Cat Fanciers’ Association calendar
- Governing Council of the Cat Fancy calendar (UK shows)
Pin it to remember these cat shows, festivals and expos!
