The Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival and Cat Lovers Festival are on this weekend, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026, at Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale, from 9:30am to 5pm both days. One ticket gets you into both festivals on the same day, tickets are sold online through the official Eventbrite page, and the most important rule is simple: leave your own dog and cat at home. Accredited assistance dogs are the only exception. Here is everything you need to plan a smooth day out.
The festival at a glance
| What | Details (confirmed on official pages) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026 |
| Hours | 9:30am to 5pm both days |
| Venue | Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale (about 7 km from the CBD) |
| Dog Lovers Festival | Exhibition Pavilion |
| Cat Lovers Festival | Grand Pavilion |
| Pedestrian entry | Gate 1A |
| Tickets | Online via the official Eventbrite page; one ticket covers both festivals on the same day |
| Children | 12 and under free |
| Visitor pets | Not allowed (accredited assistance dogs welcome) |
| Payments | Cashless venue, so bring a card |
Details come from the Melbourne Showgrounds Dog Lovers Festival page and the official festival websites. Event details can change at short notice, so check the official sites on the morning you go.
Tickets: one ticket, two festivals
A Dog Lovers Festival ticket also gets you into the Cat Lovers Festival, and the reverse is true too, but you need to visit both on the same day. According to the official ticket page:
- Ticket types include adult (18+), concession (proof of card required at entry), youth (13 to 17) and a family ticket for two adults and two youth.
- Children 12 and under get in free.
- A ticket is valid for Saturday or Sunday, and once it is scanned it is only valid for that day. If you want to go both days, you need a ticket for each day.
- A booking fee is charged by the ticketing platform.
- There are no refunds, but tickets are transferable, so you can pass one on if your plans change.
- You do not need to print your ticket; a digital ticket on your phone works. If you cannot find it, check your junk or spam folder for the Eventbrite email.
Prices have changed between releases, so for current prices check the official website before you buy. The page does not mention tickets at the gate, so buy online in advance rather than counting on getting in on the day.
Avoid resale scams. The organisers strongly advise against buying from third-party sellers or social media accounts, which they say are often scams, and they cannot guarantee tickets bought elsewhere. If you see a cheap ticket offer, a giveaway or a promo code circulating online, check it against the official website before you pay anything.
Can I bring my dog or cat?
No. Both festivals have a firm no-BYO-pets policy. The Dog Lovers Festival explains its reasons: more than 800 dogs take part, the festival expects 30,000+ attendees, it cannot check visitor dogs’ behaviour or vaccination records, the participating dogs are selected and monitored for comfort, indoor toilet breaks are hard to manage in a crowd, and many children attend. The Cat Lovers Festival likewise asks you to leave your cat at home.
Two points worth knowing:
- Assistance dogs: accredited assistance or service dogs are welcome, but you need evidence of formal training or a PTV pass for entry.
- Do not leave your dog in the car or tied up outside. The organisers say unattended dogs will be reported to authorities immediately. A parked car can heat up dangerously fast even on a mild spring day, as our guide to heatstroke in dogs and cats explains.
Honestly, most dogs are happier at home anyway. A crowded indoor hall full of unfamiliar dogs, noise, food smells and excited children is a lot for even a confident dog. If your dog finds being left alone hard, plan ahead: give them a good walk and a food puzzle before you go, keep the day reasonably short, or arrange a sitter. Our guide to separation anxiety in dogs has practical tips.
What’s on at the Dog Lovers Festival
Based on the Showgrounds listing and the official 2026 media release, highlights include:
- Kurgo DockDogs: dogs race down a dock and leap into a pool. This year the pool is indoors, so spectators are closer to the splash.
- The Dog Bowl (outdoor arena): live dog sports and demonstrations, with a Canine Disc Competition presented by Canine Disc Victoria on Saturday and a Flyball Competition on Sunday.
- Breed Showcase: breed clubs with information on different dogs, handy if you are researching your next dog.
- Pat-A-Pooch sessions to meet friendly dogs.
- Dog Expo and marketplace: treats, toys, beds, grooming, training, health products and pet tech, with festival specials.
- Food trucks.
Session times were not published on the pages we checked, so look at the official website or festival map for the timetable on the day.
What’s on at the Cat Lovers Festival
Over in the Grand Pavilion, the Cat Lovers Festival features:
- Cat Chat: interactive sessions making their Melbourne debut, led by vet Dr Katrina Warren and other feline experts, where you can ask questions.
- Expert talks from breeders, behaviourists and industry professionals.
- Pat-A-Cat meet-and-greets and an expanded Breed Showcase.
- Cat Expo and marketplace with toys, treats, enrichment, wellness products and cat tech.
Adopting a rescue dog or cat at the festival
Both festivals have Adoption Zones where rescue and rehoming groups showcase dogs and cats looking for homes. Note that you cannot adopt or buy an animal on the day. The official FAQs say adoption and sale on site are not allowed because breeders and adoption groups must follow strict state rules, but you can register your interest. That is a good thing: it gives you time to talk to the group, think about whether the animal suits your household, and prepare your home properly.
If you do bring home a new puppy later, the early weeks matter. Our guide to puppy socialisation explains why.
Getting there by public transport
The organisers recommend public transport to avoid parking costs and traffic. According to the Showgrounds:
- Train: trains will run directly to Showgrounds station. Transport Victoria says extra services will run for the festival on both days. Check that page and the Journey Planner for times and any disruptions.
- Tram: Route 57 (Elizabeth Street City to West Maribyrnong), stop 33 on Epsom Road, opposite Gate 1.
- Bus: Route 472 (Williamstown to Moonee Ponds) stops along Langs Road and Epsom Road; Route 404 (Footscray to Moonee Ponds) stops at the corner of Epsom and Ascot Vale Roads.
Pedestrian entry is via Gate 1A.
Parking
Parking is $30 per vehicle, with vehicle access via Flemington Racecourse off Flemington Drive. Expect queues at peak times, especially late morning on Saturday.
Accessibility
The official accessibility page says most areas are reachable by ramps and lifts, though some Main Arena activations have limited access. Wheelchairs are welcome but none are available to hire or borrow, so bring your own. Accessible parking is at Gate 7 off Leonard Crescent ($30 per vehicle), and the accessible drop-off point is at Gate 1 near the Showgrounds Village Shopping Centre. Accessible toilets are in the Royal Block next to the main cafe and at the Exhibition Building entrance near Gate 1. Registered assistance animals are welcome and water stations are provided. For anything else, call the Showgrounds events team on (03) 9281 7444.
Tips for families and visiting with kids
- Kids 12 and under are free, but they still need to be with you, and a family ticket covers two adults and two youth (13 to 17).
- Teach the “ask first” rule. Visitors must respect the animals’ wellbeing and follow the festival’s welfare guidelines. Before your child pats any dog or cat, they should ask the handler, approach calmly, offer a side-on pat rather than hugging, and stop if the animal turns away, yawns, licks its lips or stiffens.
- Pack snacks and water. You can bring your own food and drinks, but no glass bottles, glass containers or alcohol; security will confiscate them.
- Bring a card. The venue is cashless.
- Prams: the official FAQs we checked do not cover prams, so check the official website or call the Showgrounds before you go.
- Plan your must-sees. Disc dog is on Saturday and flyball is on Sunday, so pick your day accordingly, and go early for a calmer start.
- Agree on a meeting point in case anyone gets separated in the crowds.
Going to the Sydney festival too?
The festivals also run in Sydney. See our Sydney Dog Lovers Festival 2026 visitor guide for that event.
Frequently asked questions
Does one ticket cover both the Dog and Cat Lovers Festivals?
Yes. A ticket to either festival gives entry to the other, as long as you visit both on the same day.
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
The official ticket page sells tickets online through Eventbrite and does not mention gate sales. Buy online beforehand, and check the official website if you are unsure.
Can I bring my dog if it is well behaved?
No. Visitor dogs and cats are not allowed, however well behaved. Only accredited assistance dogs with evidence of formal training or a PTV pass are admitted, and dogs must not be left in cars or tied up outside.
Can I adopt a dog or cat at the festival?
You can meet rescue groups in the Adoption Zones and register your interest, but animals are not adopted or sold on site.
Is the event cashless?
Yes, the venue is cashless. A few exhibitors may accept cash, but bring a debit or credit card.
Key takeaways
- Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026, 9:30am to 5pm, Melbourne Showgrounds.
- One ticket covers both festivals on the same day; kids 12 and under are free.
- Buy only through the official site and Eventbrite; treat third-party and social media offers as possible scams.
- No visitor pets. Accredited assistance dogs only, and never leave a dog in the car.
- Trains run to Showgrounds station, plus tram 57 and buses 472 and 404; parking is $30.
- Highlights include indoor DockDogs, disc dog on Saturday, flyball on Sunday, Cat Chat and Adoption Zones.
Sources
- Melbourne Showgrounds: The Dog Lovers Festival
- Melbourne Showgrounds: The Cat Lovers Festival
- Dog Lovers Festival Melbourne: Fetch Tickets
- Dog Lovers Festival Melbourne: Can I Bring My Dog?
- Cat Lovers Festival Melbourne: Accessibility
- Medianet: Melbourne’s most pawsome weekend of the year returns
- Transport Victoria: Public transport for the Cat and Dog Lovers Festival
This article is general information for pet owners and is not a substitute for advice from a registered veterinarian. Event details were checked against official pages on 14 October 2026 and may change; always confirm times, prices and rules on the official festival websites before you go.
