Do we need a pet to go?

No. Plenty of families come just to see the animals and the parade. If you do bring one, keep dogs on a lead: the street around the church gets busy.

Which day should we go?

The saint's day itself. Last year the blessings and the Vueltas were on Saturday Jan 17, and the dog shows and kids' workshops at Palacio de Cibeles ran on Jan 17 and 18.

What are the panecillos?

Small saint's buns sold at the church through the fiesta week, from 10am to 8pm last year. Buying a few is part of the tradition.

Madrid with Kids in Winter, 6 of 8

UpcomingFestival

Fiestas de San Antón: Pet Blessing and Parade in Chueca

When: Dates to be announced
Ages: All ages
Price: Free

Fiestas de San Antón: Pet Blessing and Parade in Chueca photo 3

Fiestas de San Antón: Pet Blessing and Parade in Chueca photo 4

Fiestas de San Antón: Pet Blessing and Parade in Chueca photo 5

FestivalCentro

Where

Centro, Iglesia de San Antón

Ages

All ages

Setting

Indoors/outdoors

Plan for

Drop-in, an hour or two

Bring your pet

Blessings all day, no booking

Also on

Dog shows and kids' workshops at Palacio de Cibeles

What you need to know

Blessings run all day on the saint's Saturday: 10am to 8pm at the church last year, no booking
The Vueltas parade left at 5pm last year, looping Hortaleza, San Mateo, Fuencarral and Hernán Cortés
Free dog shows and kids' workshops ran at Palacio de Cibeles last year, with police, Guardia Civil and military dog units

About

Madrid's feast of Saint Anthony, patron saint of animals. Neighbors bring their pets to the Iglesia de San Antón to be blessed, then the Vueltas parade loops the nearby streets with police dog units and mounted Guardia Civil. Kids also come for the panecillos, small saint's buns sold at the church. It suits animal-loving kids of any age, with or without a pet.

Free

Dates to be announced

Share with another parent

WhatsApp Email

Where it is

Iglesia de San Antón

Calle de Hortaleza, 63, 28004 Madrid

Getting there

Metro: Tribunal (4 min walk), Alonso Martínez (6 min walk), Gran Vía (6 min walk)
Bus: Chueca (1 min walk)

Fiestas de San Antón: Pet Blessing and Parade in Chueca

Fiestas de San Antón: Pet Blessing and Parade in Chueca

What you need to know

About

Where it is

Getting there

Nearby playgrounds

Resources

Common questions

More this weekend