Paw enthusiasts unite! The much-loved Cat Lovers Festival and Dog Lovers Festival are making a highly anticipated return in 2025, bringing joy, education, and entertainment across Melbourne and Sydney, before heading to Brisbane in 2026.
Featuring an incredible line-up of attractions, the festivals are set to deliver an unforgettable experience for every pet lover, whether they are lifelong dog devotees or passionate cat enthusiasts.
The festivals will provide access to a wide selection of breeds, with experts and adoption groups, with the interactive facets complemented by exclusive shopping experiences, competitions and more.
"We are thrilled to bring these events back, offering pet lovers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of dogs and cats," said Event Director, Paul Mathers.
"It's incredibly exciting to see how the Cat and Dog Lovers Festivals continue to grow and evolve year after year. These festivals have become a highlight on the calendar for so many Australians, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back for another unforgettable celebration of their furry companions."
"From expert-led talks to action-packed arenas, visitors will find inspiration, entertainment, and valuable insights into pet ownership."
Exciting festival highlights include the ADVANCE™ Stage, Breed Showcases, and dedicated Adoption Zones, designed to connect visitors with adoption groups and animal welfare organisations. The action-packed Vitapet Arena will feature live demonstrations, showcasing incredible dog skills and training techniques.
Star appearances will include Farmer Dave Graham, a festival favourite known for his engaging demonstrations, and Lara Shannon, renowned from TV's Pooches at Play, offering expert dog training insights.
After a popular debut at the Melbourne event last year, social media sensation Jamie the Dog Trainer will be a must-see guest in both Melbourne and Sydney, while ABC TV's Muster Dogs stars Marlene & Hudson and Jack & Pesto will be live on stage at select events, and Brodie Young will return as MC.
There will be high-flying antics with the Kurgo Dockdogs splashing into a 100,000 litre pool, the Pat-a-Pooch experience, with the Vitapet Door Prize giving guests the opportunity to win thousands of dollars' worth of top gifts for their pooch.
A new addition to the Dog Lovers Festival is a dedicated hub for Dog-Friendly Travel, reflecting the growing popularity of dog-friendly vacations. Visitors will be able to explore the latest travel products, services, and destinations designed for adventures with their furry friend.
Cat lovers won't be disappointed, with a packed program featuring the WHISKAS® Stage, Kitty Cosplay, Australia's largest cat dress-up parade, the Championship Cat Show, the heart-warming Pat-a-Cat experience, and the fabulous Feline Natural Breed Showcase featuring rare and popular breeds.
Attendees can also experience the WHISKAS® Kitty Corner and put their cat knowledge to the test in CatKwiz. The Cat Lovers Festival will also boast a brand-new Marketplace, promoting boutique Australian business alongside the main Expo offering an extensive range of specialty cat products, festival-only specials, and exclusive items tailored to feline enthusiasts.
Cat Lovers Festival special guests, including Australia's favourite veterinarian Dr. Katrina Warren, and local social media sensations Sonia Hankova & Kepler Copernicus will make appearances throughout the festivals.
The tour kicks off at the Sydney Showgrounds on August 23–24, followed by the Melbourne Showgrounds on October 25–26, and heads to Brisbane Showgrounds on May 16–17, 2026.
Attractions and speaker line-ups will vary by location, with further exciting announcements to be made in the lead-up to each festival.
Visitors are able to fetch Dog Lovers Festival tickets at dogloversfestival.com.au, or pounce on Cat Lovers Festival passes at catloversfestival.com.au, with limited opportunities for exhibitors still available at all three events.
And in Pawsome news – every cat lover who buys a ticket will also receive access to the Dog Lovers Festival and vice-versa, meaning you can access two great festivals for the price of one!
Please note: visitors are unable to bring their own dog or cat to the event for health and safety reasons, see websites for full details on this policy.
