CatCon 2026 – Comic-Con for Cat People

CatCon^™ - the world’s largest event dedicated to the intersection of cat culture and pop culture, returns to the Pasadena Convention Center October 10–11 for its 11th year of feline fun, with cat-centric nostalgic art masterpieces, world-famous celebricats, unique brand activations, exclusive products from specialty small businesses, and more. We ask Nathan Kehn – aka @nathanthecatlady – what makes this event so special. 

What is CatCon?

Picture the fun and spectacle of Comic-Con, the annual Pasadena event that celebrates comics, movies, television, gaming, celebrities, and cosplay. Now, imagine that, instead of Marvel, DC, Trekkies, or Star Wars, it's about cats. This is CatCon^™.    

The two-day immersive event brings together cat lovers from around the globe for exclusive product drops, interactive brand experiences, original art, internet-famous felines and creators, live entertainment, and hundreds of specialty vendors, all while helping more than 200 adoptable kittens find forever homes.

For 2026, fans can experience the return of Cat Art Show with a nostalgia-inspired exhibition spanning generations of feline pop culture. The weekend will also feature the return of the world-famous Australian Firefighters, PrettyLitter’s Poops & Hoops game, a special Halloween performance from Bob Baker Marionette Theater, celebricat and creator meet-and-greets, a silent disco, and more.

At Comic-Con, it’s celebrities like Nathan Fillion, star of Firefly and The Rookie, that draw the crowds. For CatCon attendees, however, there’s another Nathan they’ll be lining up to meet: Nathan ‘The Cat Lady’ Kehn.

Nathan The Cat Lady

Proud cat Dad to Pickles, Ginger, Annie, Theodora, and new addition, 10-week-old Puzzle, Nathan has become a well-known face and beloved member of the social media community. His content, which started out as a lighthearted celebration of all things feline, has evolved into a powerful platform that brings much-needed attention to animal welfare, the stray cat overpopulation crisis, and the importance of trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs.

For Nathan, CatCon is a highlight of the year, but it’s also about more than just getting together with thousands of cat-lovers. 

“CatCon is so much fun. You can expect to see thousands of like-minded people all there to just have a fun time and share their love for cats. I will be hosting an event on stage as well as selling a bunch of fun and exciting merch in my booth, including my signature CatLady/CatDad robes. My favorite part, of course, is all of the adoptable cats that will be there.

“CatCon plays a huge role in the rescue community. Not only do they get a few hundred cats adopted at the event, but it also gives rescues a place to meet each other and share what they do with the general public. It's also great for rescues to connect with amazing pet brands in hopes of getting donations.

“When I was interviewed at CatCon 2018, they asked, ‘What is one thing I wanted to accomplish?’ I said I want cat people to be as trending and ‘cool’ as dog people. Five years later, I was interviewed again, and this time the question was: “How do you feel that the hashtag CatDad is trending?” 

“So, now that it's cool to own cats, my next goal is to make it cool to give back and help less fortunate animals.”

What Else Is Happening At CatCon 2026?

The CatCon event program is packed with exhibits, shows, stalls, and celebrities. Here are some of the highlights:

Nostalgic Cat Art Show: This one-of-a-kind art exhibit will feature artists across the generational spectrum and showcase pieces that show how cats have been represented in visual culture throughout time. You’ll have the chance to meet a handful of these talented artists at the convention, including @BunnyDee, @NikitaChanArt, and Laura Keenados. The exhibit will be dedicated to the late Sid Krofft, the creator of shows such as HR PufnStuf and Land of the Lost, and will tap into feline nostalgia through the work of the amazing artists, as well as a collection of cat ephemera from the 1950s through the 2000s to view on display. All works are for sale, with a portion of proceeds going to help cats in need.

The Heroes of the Australian Firefighters: The world-famous Australian Firefighters are returning to CatCon. These heroes have raised over $3.5 million for various charities with their iconic calendar each year, and will be at CatCon to raise funds for cat charities and support on-site adoptions. Additionally, you can watch their panel, moderated by comedian and host of the podcast We're Here to Help, Gareth Reynolds, on Sunday, October 11th at 3pm.

Bob Baker Marionette Theater: Come see the country’s most iconic nonprofit puppet theater as they take the stage at CatCon. On Saturday, October 10th at 4pm, wrap yourself up in strings and join the world-famous Bob Baker Marionettes for their mew-sical revue, especially brought to you by our captivating clowder in residence… and perhaps a few mice, too!

Paw Promise Adoption Village sponsored by Nexgard® COMBO: Pasadena Humane is back for another year at CatCon giving folks the opportunity to rescue a cat in need of a home. Stop by the adoption village to meet your next feline friend and bring them into a loving home.

PrettyLitter Poops & Hoops: Returning to CatCon for the first time in 8 years, PrettyLitter is not holding back on their message: when it comes to cat litter, PrettyLitter is the real MV-Pee. Visitors are invited to shoot hoops with poops (poop-shaped stuffies) and take home an assortment of free cat toys to keep the games going at home. Other giveaways include a limited-edition tote bag, mini lint rollers, and exclusive offers for CatCon attendees.

Celebricat & Creator Meet-and-Greets: In addition to @NathanTheCatLady, you’ll get the chance to rub shoulders with some of the internet's most famous celebri-cats and pet-centric creators, including @One_Eared_Uno, @CatNamedCalvin, @Lily_Rose_Adventures, @StevenRayMorris, @Dr.MattMcGlasson, and so many more. Plus, you’ll get to meet some new talent, including @Gareth Reynolds, @VonFluffernutter, and @Don’t Stop Meowing.