Capital City Cats Returns July 25-26, 2026 With New Venue in Maryland
Washington, D.C. Area’s Largest Cat Show Comes to Baltimore Region
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Timonium, Md. — Capital City Cats, the Washington, D.C. metro area’s largest cat show and adoption event, will return July 25–26, 2026 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland, a new location for the annual event.
Capital City Cats will welcome thousands of cat lovers and feature more than 150 cats across 25 different breeds, all competing for the title of Best in Show.
Capital City Cats will host a vendor marketplace with unique cat toys, furniture, jewelry and apparel, and specialty products for cats and their owners. This family-friendly event will also feature a Kitten Korner and daily stuffed animal contests for the kids as well as a dedicated Education Ring where attendees can learn more about feline health and the different cat breeds. The cat show is also an adoption event and will feature adoptable cats from the Baltimore Humane Society and Baltimore County Animal Services.
The cat show, known for its welcoming and interactive atmosphere, allows spectators to meet breeders and exhibitors and experience the excitement of one of the largest cat shows in the region.
“We are excited to continue the 18-year tradition of Capital City Cats in a fantastic new space,” said Melanie Morgan, president of the Global Egyptian Mau Society (GEMS), a Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) cat club and the host of this event. “This show has become a beloved event for exhibitors, rescue organizations, vendors, and cat enthusiasts across the East Coast and we’re thrilled to welcome both longtime attendees and new visitors to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in 2026.”
Vendor applications, sponsorships, and advertising opportunities are now available for the 2026 event. Businesses interested in reaching thousands of passionate cat lovers from across the region are encouraged to sign up online.
The move to Maryland follows the closure of the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia, the previous home of the event. The new location will allow the show to continue growing while preserving the tradition and community that have made Capital City Cats a signature summer event for cat lovers throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
The event, which is traditionally referred to as “GEMS” by CFA and longtime exhibitors, is also a celebration of the Egyptian Mau, the only naturally occurring spotted domestic cat breed and one of the oldest and rarest breeds in the cat fancy. The cat show has historically featured more than 3 dozen Egyptian Maus, making it the largest gathering of this breed in the world.
Tickets for the event are now on sale. Discounts for seniors and military professionals are available and kids 4 and under are free.
Press, social media influencers, and community leaders are invited to attend this event. Please reach out to gemscatclub@gmail.com for more information and to join us.
About Capital City Cats
Capital City Cats is an annual all-breed cat show and adoption event hosted by the Global Egyptian Mau Society (GEMS). One of the largest CFA cat shows in the country, the event brings together exhibitors, rescue organizations, vendors, and cat enthusiasts from across the Mid-Atlantic for a weekend celebrating cats of all breeds and backgrounds. For more information, visit CapitalCityCats.org.
About GEMS Cat Club
The Global Egyptian Mau Society (GEMS) is a Cat Fanciers’ Association club dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and appreciation of the Egyptian Mau and the broader cat fancy community through education, responsible breeding, and public engagement.
Media Contact
Gemscatclub@gmail.com
