The nomination process for the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival’s canine royalty has officially begun. Dog owners can submit their pets for the titles of **Canine King Boreas** and **Queen of the Snows** from now until **January 11, 2026**. The winners will be crowned during the **Doggie Depot** event at Union Depot on **February 1, 2026**, which is part of the Winter Carnival festivities.
This year’s competition allows dogs that are sociable and adaptable to costumes to shine. The crowning ceremony will take place as part of a family-friendly event featuring local vendors and adoptable pets from various rescues. According to **Amy Struve**, marketing manager of Union Depot, “You’ll have to come to Doggie Depot to see the king and queen.”
Voting for the canine royalty will commence on **January 12, 2026**, and continue through **January 25, 2026**. Pet owners can submit photos and relevant information for their dogs at the Union Depot’s website. All nominated dogs will be featured in an online poll where the public can cast their votes for their favorites.
Winners will be announced on Union Depot’s social media platforms on **January 27, 2026**. Although the reigning canine royalty from 2025, **Queen Kairi**, an American Pit Bull Terrier, and **King Grover**, a Goldendoodle, won’t participate in the **King Boreas Grande Day Parade** on **January 24**, they will still play important roles in the Winter Carnival events.
The decision to omit the dog parade participation this year is due to the extensive preparations needed for the upcoming **Centennial celebrations** of Union Depot in 2026. “A lot goes into planning for the parade, and we weren’t able to make it work this year,” Struve explained. Despite this, she noted that the dogs might return to the parade in future years.
The **2026 Winter Carnival** runs from **January 22 to February 1**, featuring various activities and events across St. Paul. The **Doggie Depot** event is set to take place from **10 a.m. to 3 p.m.** on February 1, with an additional dog yoga session starting at **9 a.m.** at Union Depot, located at **214 Fourth St. East** in downtown St. Paul.
Attendees can look forward to a vibrant atmosphere filled with dog-themed activities and the opportunity to support local vendors. The event serves not only to crown the canine kings and queens but also to celebrate the bond between dogs and their owners within the community.
As the Winter Carnival approaches, pet owners are encouraged to participate in this unique celebration of canine companionship and community spirit.
