After the Three Wise Men, January still has a celebration in store, maybe not so magical, but very charming. The most animalistic party in Madrid returns to fill Hortaleza Street and Cibeles Palace with barking, meowing and feathers: from January 16 to 18 the Fiestas de San Antón 2026 will be held, the traditional event in honor of the patron saint of animals in which dogs, cats and other pets become the absolute protagonists. This year, in addition, the program dedicates a special space to ONCE and guide dogs, and reinforces the canine exhibitions and family workshops to vindicate the bond between humans and animals.
The festival kicks off a few days before, from Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 January, with the sale of the traditional San Antón bread rolls at the saint’s church, at Calle Hortaleza 63, from 10.00 to 20.00 hours. According to tradition, these small blessed breads are kept at home throughout the year as a protection charm for pets and the home.
Friday, January 16 is dedicated to the ONCE and will be held at the Palacio de Cibeles: at 5.15 p.m. Marilia, member of Ella Baila Sola, will perform, and at 6 p.m. the opening speech will be read by the territorial director of the ONCE in Madrid, Luis Natalio Royo. Then it will be the turn of workshops and adapted games, with a mobility circuit with cane and guide dog and recreational activities designed for the public to put themselves in the shoes of people with visual impairment.
Saturday 17, San Antón Day
Saturday 17 is the big day of San Antón, with the church on Hortaleza Street as the epicenter of the celebration.
- From 10.00 to 20.00 hours the traditional blessing of the animals will take place. It is the time to bring dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and other pets to receive the blessing of the saint, in one of the most emotional moments of the festival.
- At 12.00 the High Mass will be celebrated, with additional Eucharists at 13.00, 16.00, 18.00 and a solemn Mass at 19.00, all broadcast by streaming through sananton.net.
At 17.00 will arrive the famous Vueltas de San Antón, the parade in which the animals go around the block of the temple accompanied by their owners, crossing Travesía de San Mateo, San Mateo, Fuencarral and Hernán Cortés, in a festive atmosphere that mixes devotion, humor and lots of doggy love.
Dog shows and workshops at Cibeles
In parallel to the religious celebrations, on Saturday 17 the Palacio de Cibeles (Calle Montalbán 1) will open its doors from 10.00 a.m. to host a full program of dog shows.
- At 11.00 there will be a demonstration by the Municipal Police Security Support Canine Unit; at 12.00 the Civil Guard Canine Service will take over and at 13.00, the National Police Canine Unit.
- In the afternoon, at 17.00, it will be the turn of the Defense Military Canine Center and, at 18.00, of the Rocescan Foundation, with aid and assistance dogs.
- At 6.30 p.m. there will be children’s workshops and at 7.15 p.m. there will be a joint exhibition by DogCity and Asr Animal Soul Rescue, focused on responsible adoption and animal rescue.
All these activities are free, although some workshops require prior registration indicating the shift (morning or afternoon) and the number of attendees, with deadline until January 14. You can consult all the information in the program of the City Council through this link.