The annual St. Paul Winter Carnival is inviting dog owners to nominate their pets for a chance to become the **2026 Canine King Boreas** and **Queen of the Snows**. Nominations opened on **January 11, 2026**, and will remain open until **January 11**, allowing dog lovers to submit photos and details about their canine companions.
This year, the event is expected to attract significant attention as the crowned dogs will also serve as royalty for **Doggie Depot**, a dog-friendly event at **Union Depot** on **February 1, 2026**. The festivities will feature a grand crowning ceremony alongside the St. Paul Winter Carnival royal family.
Despite the excitement surrounding the contest, there will be a notable change in the schedule. Unlike previous years, the canine royalty will not participate in the **King Boreas Grande Day Parade**, set for **January 24**. According to **Amy Struve**, marketing manager of Union Depot, the decision was made due to planning challenges linked to the upcoming **Centennial celebrations** in 2026.
Union Depot will celebrate its **100-year anniversary** with various events, but for now, the focus remains on Doggie Depot. Struve emphasized, “You’ll have to come to Doggie Depot to see the king and queen.” She added that there may be opportunities for the dogs to participate in future parades, indicating a willingness to reassess the situation as celebrations progress.
To participate in the royal contest, dog owners can submit their entries for free at the Union Depot website, **uniondepot.org/doggiedepot**. Once nominations close, an online poll will allow the public to vote for their favorite candidates between **January 12 and January 25**. The winners will be announced on **January 27** via Union Depot’s social media platforms.
The **2026 Winter Carnival** will take place from **January 22 to February 1**, with Doggie Depot scheduled from **10:00 to 15:00** on **February 1**. The event will also feature dog yoga starting at **09:00**, along with local vendors offering dog products and rescues showcasing adoptable pets.
In 2025, the reigning canine royalty included **Queen Kairi**, an American Pit Bull Terrier known for her work with **Save-A-Bull Rescue**, and **King Grover**, a Goldendoodle who garnered attention through an effective social media campaign.
The St. Paul Winter Carnival continues to be a vibrant community event, celebrating not just winter festivities but also the bond between dogs and their owners. As nominations pour in, the anticipation builds for this year’s royal contenders and their crowning moment at Doggie Depot.
