URGENT UPDATE: The nomination process for the 2026 St. Paul Winter Carnival’s canine royalty is NOW OPEN! Dog owners can submit their furry friends for a chance to be crowned Canine King Boreas and Queen of the Snows until January 11, 2026.
This annual contest is a highlight of the Winter Carnival, and online voting kicks off on January 12, 2026, allowing the public to pick their favorites. The winners will be celebrated at the Doggie Depot event on February 1, 2026, where they will officially take their royal roles in a grand crowning ceremony alongside the St. Paul Winter Carnival royal family.
Located at 214 Fourth St. East in downtown St. Paul, the Doggie Depot event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features local vendors, dog yoga at 9 a.m., and adoptable pups from rescues. This year, however, the canine royals will NOT participate in the King Boreas Grande Day Parade on January 24, 2026, due to preparations for Union Depot’s upcoming centennial celebrations.
“A lot goes into planning for the parade, and we weren’t able to make it work this year,” says Amy Struve, marketing manager at Union Depot. The depot is gearing up for its 100-year anniversary in 2026, promising lots of fanfare. Struve adds, “You’ll have to come to Doggie Depot to see the king and queen.”
To nominate your dog, visit uniondepot.org/doggiedepot and submit photos and information. All nominated dogs will advance to the voting round, which runs from January 12-25, 2026. Winners will be revealed on Union Depot’s Facebook and Instagram pages on January 27, 2026.
Last year’s winners, Canine Queen Kairi, an American Pit Bull Terrier, and King Grover, a Goldendoodle, captivated audiences with their engaging social media campaigns and heartwarming backstories.
Don’t miss this chance to showcase your pup’s personality and charm! Nominate now, and stay tuned for exciting updates as the Winter Carnival approaches, running from January 22 to February 1, 2026.
Get involved and make your dog a star at this year’s festivities!
