Cats, Cats, Cats, Prancing Ever Onward in Downtown San José

For a few hours on March 28, downtown San José will be taken over by cats.

When San José Cat Day returns Saturday for its second year, it will bring double the participants as its debut in 2025, and three separate locations dedicated to feline festivities: an exhibit of original cat art, 60 vendors selling cat-themed merchandise, a cat-themed cafe and actual cats in a “kitten lounge.”

One returning vendor from 2025 is Jessica Chun, who first met Kevin Biggers of San José Made while he was planning the inaugural San José Cat Day. They bonded over their love of Garfield, which led to her being commissioned to design the event poster.

“It was by far like the most successful event poster that we’ve ever posted on our Instagram,” Biggers said. Chun, who’ll display her new prints, stickers, tote bags and keychains at this year’s event, created this year’s poster as well.

One of the event’s biggest draws is the kitten lounge, where visitors can pet and play with kittens, similar to cat cafes in Japan. Over 20 kittens will be available for adoption. (The limited slots have high demand, and visitors need to book appointments in advance.)

Though this is only the second San José Cat Day, the event reflects something larger for cat lovers. Cats have historically been tied to stereotypes like the “crazy cat lady,” but have seen a surge in popularity, and pop-culture reframing, through social media and anime.

Last year’s event drew a huge crowd of both people and cats. Many cats were seen carried in bubble backpacks peeking out as they moved through the event.
“It was very cute to see the cat owners talking to each other and connecting over this love of cats,” Chun said.

For Biggers, who describes himself as a cat enthusiast, the appeal of the event is as much about the people as it is about pets.

“I think it brings out the community of cat lovers or cat enthusiasts,” Biggers said. “It shows that it’s not necessarily a solitary endeavor or solitary hobby. There are a lot of people who are really cat people, even if they don’t own a cat themselves.”

San José Cat Day takes place Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at various locations in downtown San José. More info Details and more information here.