FAQ

EVENT INFO

The 2026 Virginia Cat Festival will be held at the Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center November 7-8 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Get your tickets right MEOW!
It’s a celebration of all things cats! Programming includes an exhibitor marCATplace, workshops, cat adoptions, meet-and-greets, and tons of cat-themed activities. See an overview of all that CAT-tastic programming here!
Yes! All ages are welcome at this event to celebrate all things cats.
Yes! Attendees are encouraged to don their most MEOW-valous apparel and cat-themed cosplay is encouraged. Each day will conclude with a costume PURR-ade where attendees have the option to showcase their ensemble for a chance to win prizes. Full details about the costume award-categories coming soon!
This event is family friendly and costumes must adhere to the following guidelines: no revealing or suggestive attire and no weapons of any kind (including toy weapons). Attendees that do not comply with these guidelines will be denied entry.
Our venue, the Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center, has a large parking lot that is free of charge. Check out our Event Info page for tips about making the most of your festival experience!
No, vendor submissions for 2026 are closed. Interested in receiving info about being a vendor next year? Subscribe to our mews-letter on the homepage!
No, we will not have a volunteer team at the 2026 event. Thanks for your interest!

Get your tickets here! All sales are final and nonrefundable.
Child tickets are for children between the ages of 6 to 12. Children 5 and under have free entry and do not need a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Yes, though tickets are limited to the venue’s capacity and may sell out. Additionally, advanced ticket purchases are available at a discounted rate.
All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable. If you are no longer able to use your ticket, you may give it to someone else. Access to the event is granted with a ticket, regardless of the name on it. Tickets may only be used once.
You may give your ticket to someone else. Access to the event is granted with a ticket, regardless of the name on it. Tickets may only be used once. All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.
Yes! Simply click the "Exchange Ticket" button in your order confirmation email. Please note that tickets can only be exchanged for tickets of equal or greater value, and all exchanges are subject to availability.

Yes! Cats and hoo-mans will be featured throughout the day in the event’s meet-and-greet area. Some vendors will have cats at their booths in the marCATplace. Our nonprofit partners will have adoptable cats on-site. Attendees may also pre-register their own cats (please read the requirements carefully!).
While attendees can see and meet cats at the festival, opportunities to interact directly with cats will be limited. The festival is designed to celebrate all things cats, including their love of personal space. Our primary goal is to ensure that every cat at the festival remains safe, relaxed, and as stress-free as possible.
Yes! We partner with nonprofit organizations to offer cat adoptions during the event.
Pre-registered cats are welcome at the festival! Cats must be comfortable in busy environments and must remain on a leash or in a stroller, carrier, or cat backpack at all times. Attendees with a cat must bring all necessary supplies such as a litter box, food, and water. Full details are available here!
Read all the requirements and complete the registration form here. Filling out the form does not guarantee your cat’s attendance. Someone from our team will reach out to you to confirm. For the safety and wellbeing of both attendees and our feline friends, only a limited number of cats will be approved to attend.
No, cats must be registered in advance. Attendees that arrive with a cat that was not pre-registered will be denied entry.

Yes! A portion of ticket sales will be donated to nonprofit animal welfare organizations. Additionally, 100% of raffle ticket sales will be donated to those organizations.
Registration fees are waived for nonprofit organizations featured in the marCATplace.
The Virginia Cat Festival's mission is to celebrate all things cats, cultivate community among the people that love them, and help cats in need.
This festival is all about celebrating cats and cultivating community among the people who love them. Our goal is to create a fun, safe, and welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or nationality.
Participants agree to be considerate in their speech and actions to other guests and event staff. Any form of harassment or threatening behavior will not be tolerated. Anyone found to have been engaged in harassment, threats, or willful disruption will have their festival badge revoked without a refund and removed from the venue.
By purchasing and picking up a Virginia Cat Festival badge, participants agree to the festival’s Code of Conduct.
The Virginia Cat Festival is sponsored by the City of Williamsburg as part of their initiatives to create a more vibrant community for residents and bring visitors to town throughout the year.