Melbourne is once again set to go barking mad – and purring with delight – as the beloved Cat Lovers Festival and Dog Lovers Festival return to the Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday the 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025.
Now in their second year at this expansive venue, the co-located festivals promise even more fun, education and furry entertainment for pet lovers of all ages.
After a hugely successful transition to the Melbourne Showgrounds in 2024, this year's Festivals will take full advantage of the indoor-outdoor layout, offering plenty of activations, space for paws-on activities, and a jam-packed schedule of stage presentations, demos and meet-and-greets.
One of the most exciting additions to the Dog Lovers Festival is The Dog Bowl, a brand-new attraction making its national debut in Melbourne. Designed to showcase Australia's most talented and high-energy canine athletes, The Dog Bowl will showcase everything from high-flying Kurgo® DockDogs, to the Vitapet Arena's favourites, the K9 Superwall, Weight Pull, Sprint Racing, K9 Freestyle, Mini-Dog Races and more. – bringing the crowd to their feet in celebration of our four-legged performers.
"We're always looking for new ways to engage and delight our audience, and The Dog Bowl is one of the most thrilling features we've ever introduced," said Event Director, Paul Mathers.
"It's fast, fun, and full of energy – everything dog lovers want from a live experience."
The Dog Lovers Festival will also welcome back popular presenter Brodie Young, who returns with his upbeat energy and signature charisma. Brodie has been entertaining audiences on the Main Stage for many years, and now takes on the exciting opportunity of hosting the Dog Bowl's signature arena-sports program presented by Vitapet.
Brodie will be joined by well-known journalist and presenter Shelly Horton, a long-time dog enthusiast and former host of the Cat Lovers Festival stage. Shelly will guide audiences through live demonstrations on training techniques and dog sports on the ADVANCE™ Stage. Her relatable style, sense of humour and deep passion for dogs make her the perfect voice to lead this highly anticipated feature of the Festival.
Meanwhile, at the Cat Lovers Festival, feline fans can look forward to a strong lineup of local talent, led by the return of Sonia Hankova and her remarkable adventure cat, Kepler Copernicus.
A crowd favourite, Sonia's "Climb Up" display is back by popular demand, demonstrating just how much cats can accomplish with positive training and trust.
The Cat Lovers Festival will once again host the WHISKAS® Stage with a full schedule of informative chats and expert interviews. With over 25 breeds on show in the Feline Natural Breed Showcase, plus adoption zones, educational sessions, and the ever-popular Pat-A-Cat area, this event is set to be a purr-fect day out for cat lovers.
Among the most anticipated highlights is Kitty Cosplay, Australia's largest feline themed dress-up event. From caped crusaders to majestic princesses, cat owners are encouraged to bring their creativity and sense of fun to this playful and colourful parade, taking place on the Saturday afternoon.
Also new this year is CatKwiz, an interactive and entertaining trivia game in which festival goers can join the fun and play along live for the chance to win cat-themed prizes. With questions ranging from quirky cat facts to breed knowledge and pop culture references, CatKwiz offers a lively and educational break between exploring the exhibits.
"This Festival is as much about fun as it is about learning," added Mathers.
"CatKwiz is a great example of how we're building engaging, informative experiences that bring the community together around a shared love of cats. Whether you're six or sixty, there's something here for you."
Whether you're a dog devotee or a cat connoisseur, or lucky enough to love both, these Festivals offer an unparalleled celebration of the animals who bring so much joy to our lives.
Tickets are available now via with first release discount pricing, with family passes available and kids 12 and under are free. PLUS, in Pawsome news – if you buy a ticket for the Cat Lovers Festival you get into the Dog Lovers Festival for FREE and vice-versa. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of one of Melbourne's most paw-some weekends of the year.
