CatCon 2023: An Inside Look at the World's Biggest Cat Convention

Attention, cat lovers! Whether you’re looking to adopt your first feline friend or are proud to call yourself a crazy cat lady, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the world’s biggest cat convention that's almost here! 

CatCon 2023 is just around the corner, so keep reading to find out when and where it’s happening, how to get tickets, and what you can expect on-site. We’ll also go over what you need to bring and if your furbaby can tag along, so read on! 

CatCon is the world’s first and largest pop culture event dedicated to all things cats. Dubbed “like Comic-Con for cat people,” the annual two-day experience is part expo and part symposium, jam-packed with cat-centric products, ideas, and activities. You’ll find one of the biggest adoption villages ever here too!

Since its first event in 2015, CatCon has welcomed 85,000 attendees, helped over 700 cats find their furever homes, and donated $350,000 to felines in need. CatCon 2022, which was the first in-person event since the pandemic, was attended by thousands cat enthusiasts that included Angela Kinsey from The Office and saw 136 cats and kittens get adopted. Fans also got to meet feline celebrities like Juno the Blind Cat and Squirrel the Cat, took lots of selfies at the photo walls, and packed in various workshops and seminars. 

All roads lead to the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA on August 5 and 6. General admission to CatCon will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.

Tickets are now on sale, and a portion of your ticket will go to help cats in need! This year’s charity beneficiaries are Milo’s Sanctuary and Kitt Crusaders.

It’s going to be a fun-filled weekend with workshops, meet and greets, performances, and other activities waiting for you at CatCon 2023! 

Learn how to be a better cat parent with workshops like “OA Pain: Get Your Cat Back to Normal & Fe-line Good” and “Purrfectly Aligned With Dr. Joe Owens.” Say hello to feline celebs and cat advocates, including One-Eared Uno, Adventure Cat Leo, Spongecake Scottish Fold, Nathan the Cat Lady, Lambo Licia, and more! 

There will also be over 150 exhibitors, so be sure to bring your wallet and come early to check them all out and score some cool gear for you and your cat. Plus this year's CatCon will debut the all-new art exhibit, "Karma Is a Cat Art Show," featuring original cat-centric pieces inspired by singer-songwriter and cat lady Taylor Swift.

And if you’re thinking of expanding your clowder or bringing home your very first cat, you just might meet your new best friend at the Adoption Village. Access to the village is included in your CatCon ticket, and all adopters will receive a kitty swag bag containing samples and goodies to help your cat settle into their new home!

As the world’s biggest cat convention, CatCon can get very loud and crowded—not the best environment for a cat to be in, even for one who is well-trained and well-behaved. Therefore, to ensure a safe and pawsitive experience for all, cats are NOT allowed at CatCon. Anyone who arrives with a cat will be turned away at the door, so please leave your furry friend at home! 

If you adopt a cat at CatCon, the adoption group will hold them for you until you’re ready to leave the convention center. Walking the floor with your new cat will not be permitted. 

Instead of cats, the CatCon team recommends bringing the following: 

• Cat ears and other accessories. Cosplay is encouraged!
• Your phone. Plenty of Instagrammable moments await!
• Cash and credit cards. Remember, there will be more than 150 exhibitors!
• Your friends and family. You’ll want to share this experience with others, and if you plan to adopt, all family members must be present to meet the cat. 

If you missed CatCon during their two-year pause, or have yet to experience this feline extravaganza, be sure to check out the purrific two-day convention in Pasadena this year. All the fur, paws, and purrs are waiting for you!