REGISTRATION & FAQ
CALF is presented by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council
Registration is open!
FOR QUESTIONS
PHONE: 325-677-1161
EMAIL: info@abilenecac.org
IN PERSON: T&P Depot, 1101 N. 1st St., Abilene, TX 79601. Open 8:30 am-5 pm Monday-Thursday and until 12 pm Fridays. Hours extended CALF weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN DO I REGISTER?
Registration will open in February 2025 and will stay open through Saturday afternoon, June 14, 2025.
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, 2025
$9 for ages 3-12
$14 for ages 13 and up
*Plus registration software processing fees.
AFTER MAY 15, 2025
$12 for ages 3-12
$17 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 Matt Phelan and his exhibit, so the artist will only be signing books purchased from the NCCIL with the NCCIL sticker on the back. The NCCIL currently has Matt’s books in the gift shop for purchase. You can avoid book signing lines by becoming a NCCIL member and leaving your books at the museum for Matt to sign.
NCCIL Gift Shop: Open now until June 7. Reopens during CALF 3 pm June 12 through June 14.
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 12, 2025, 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, 2025. Email sidney@abilenecac.org
SPONSOR:
WHEN DO I GET MY PASSES?
Pre-registration orders can be picked up starting June 2, 2025 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.
2025 CALF STORE
Purchase these great 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)
PLUM THE PEACOCK ORNAMENT: $6
CALF CAPS: $20 (Adult and youth sizes)
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
TOTE SPONSOR:
T-SHIRT SPONSOR:
Dinner with Matt Phelan
Friday, June 13, 2025
Ticket Required
Hosted by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) in the museum gallery. Dinner and merriment with award-winning artist and author Matt Phelan.
Recommended for adults.
Workshop with Matt Phelan
Two times to choose from! 9-9:45 am or 10-10:45 am Saturday, June 14 in the art studio
- Cost is free for NCCIL members and $20 per child for non-members
Register through the NCCIL.
Experience CALF illustrator Matt Phelan up close in an exclusive workshop at the NCCIL. Registrants will have the opportunity to hear from Matt, create with him, take photos and have their books personalized. Books must be pre-purchased prior to the workshop. Recommended 1 adult per registrant due to capacity. For kindergarten and up.