REGISTRATION & FAQ
CALF is presented by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council
Registration opens in February 2026
FOR QUESTIONS
PHONE: 325-677-1161
EMAIL: calf@abilenecac.org
IN PERSON: T&P Depot, 1101 N. 1st St., Abilene, TX 79601. Open 8:30 am-5 pm Monday-Thursday and until 5 pm Fridays. Hours extended CALF weekend.
COST: Until May 15, child passes are $12 for ages 3-12 and adult passes are $17 for ages 13 and up.
After May 15, child passes are $15 for ages 3-12 and adult passes are $20 for ages 13 and up.
Online registration is now CLOSED. Registration for CALF 2026 opens in February.
(NOTE: Registration orders are nonrefundable!)
Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN DO I REGISTER?
Registration will open in February 2026 and will stay open through Saturday afternoon, June 13, 2026.
WHO NEEDS A FESTIVAL PASS?
Thursday night events are free and no pass is required.
A pass is required for Friday and Saturday events. Children 2 and under are free (no lanyard or buttons provided). All children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Everyone older than 2 needs a pass to enter activities. Wear your pass Sunday and get into the Abilene Zoo for free!
A pass allows you entrance into all activities as space allows except workshops, Storybook Characters Breakfast and the Young Audiences’ Enchanted Eatery, which are an extra fee.
SPONSOR:
HOW MUCH ARE PASSES?
THROUGH MAY 15, 2026
$12 for ages 3-12
$17 for ages 13 and up
*Plus registration software processing fees.
AFTER MAY 15, 2026
$15 for ages 3-12
$20 for ages 13 and up
*Plus registration software processing fees.
WHERE DO I BUY BOOKS?
Downtown Abilene has three great bookstores that we encourage you to visit during the festival that offer a variety of different children’s books - the NCCIL gift shop, Seven and One Books, and Texas Star Trading Co.
The NCCIL is hosting “The Art of Winnie-the-Pooh” exhibit.
NCCIL Gift Shop: Open now until June 6, 2026. Closed June 7-12 and reopens during CALF at 3 pm June 11.
NCCIL Pop-Up Shop: Open at the T&P Depot 9 am-4 pm June 9-11 and 9 am-12 pm June 12
GROUP DAY
Take your qualifying group on a field trip to CALF on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and enjoy dramatic readings with costumed characters, performances, art activities and face painting from 9:30 am to 2 pm.
Events are only for child-care centers and Scout troops of 10 or more. Only children enrolled in your program may attend and only the appropriate number of adults needed to chaperone.
Group Day is not for families.
Reservation deadline is May 15, 2026. Email sidney@abilenecac.org
SPONSOR:
WHEN DO I GET MY PASSES?
Pre-registration orders can be picked up starting June 1, 2026 at the T&P Depot board room at 1101 N. 1st St. Shipped orders are mailed in late May. T&P Depot hours are 8:30 am-5 pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30 am to noon Friday.
CALF STORE
Purchase these awesome souvenir items when you register for CALF or in person during the festival (while supplies last)!
CHILD T-SHIRT: $14 (Sizes 2T to 5T)
YOUTH T-SHIRT: $14 (Sizes Youth Small to Youth XLarge)
ADULT T-SHIRTS: $19/$21/$23 (Sizes Small to XXXL)
CHILD CALF BUCKET HAT: $12
ADULT CALF BUCKET HAT: $15
CALF CAPS: $20 (Adult and youth sizes)
WINNIE PLUSH: $20
VINYL LOGO STICKERS: $2
PLUM THE PEACOCK ORNAMENT: $6
STORYBOOK CAPITAL ENAMEL PIN $4
STORYBOOK CAPITAL AUTOGRAPH BOOK: $5
Your family’s entire registration order comes in one tote bag. Extra bags may be purchased while supplies are available:
EXTRA TOTE BAGS: $7
Cotton tote bag: $7
TOTE SPONSOR:
Baby blue shirt in adult and child sizes: $14-$23
T-SHIRT SPONSOR:
2025 CALF ornament: $6
Vinyl CALF logo sticker: $2
Vinyl Storybook Capital logo sticker: $2
KIDS PREFERRED Baby Classic Winnie the Pooh original version, 8.25 inches: $20
CALF bucket hats in adult and child sizes: $12-$15
CALF caps in child and adult sizes: $20
Green CALF shirts!
Festival staff and Project Managers will be wearing green CALF shirts so you can easily spot them if you need assistance or have questions. We are happy to help! We want to make your festival experience safe and enjoyable.
NCCIL Dinner
Friday, June 12, 2026
Ticket Required
Hosted by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) in the museum gallery. Details will be announced soon.