URGENT UPDATE: The nomination window for the coveted canine royal titles at the 2026 St. Paul Winter Carnival has officially opened! Dog owners can submit their furry contenders for the Canine King Boreas and Queen of the Snows until January 11, 2026. Don’t miss this chance to see your pup crowned amid the winter festivities!
The online voting for these royal titles kicks off on January 12 and runs through January 25. This exciting contest is a highlight of the Winter Carnival, where the winners will be announced on social media on January 27. The crowned dogs will then reign over the Doggie Depot event, a key attraction at the carnival taking place on February 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Union Depot, located at 214 Fourth St. East, St. Paul.
This year’s Doggie Depot promises a packed schedule, including a grand crowning ceremony featuring the St. Paul Winter Carnival royal family. However, in a change from past years, the canine royalty will not participate in the King Boreas Grande Day Parade on January 24. According to Amy Struve, marketing manager of Union Depot, “A lot goes into planning for the parade, and we weren’t able to make it work this year due to our upcoming Centennial celebrations.”
Dog lovers will certainly not want to miss the chance to see the new royals at the Doggie Depot event, which is packed with fun activities for pups and their owners, including local vendors showcasing dog products and rescues with adoptable dogs.
To nominate your dog, simply submit photos and relevant information via the Union Depot website at uniondepot.org/doggiedepot. It’s free to enter, and all nominated pups will compete in the online poll where the public can vote for their favorites!
Last year’s winners, Kairi, an American Pit Bull Terrier, and Grover, a Goldendoodle, gained fame through creative social media campaigns, setting the bar high for this year’s contestants.
The 2026 St. Paul Winter Carnival runs from January 22 to February 1, and the anticipation is building. Stay tuned for more updates as the winter festivities approach! Don’t wait—nominate your dog today and join the excitement!
