San Anton 2024 Its celebration began this Saturday with several parades. But it continues this Sunday with more free activities. The festival of the patron saint of animals returns one more year to Madrid. And he does it in Chueca and in the Cibeles Palace. The first events of this will take place in the first location. January 14, 2024.

First It will be from 11:00 a.m. and consists of a new exhibition in which the Canine Section of the Municipal Police of Madrid, the Cynological Service of the Civil Guard and the Roncescan Foundation will participate. The little ones will also have their own events, at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

  • 10:00 a.m. Opening of the San Antón festival.
  • 11:00 a.m. Exhibition of the Canine Support Unit
  • to the Security of the Municipal Police of Madrid.
  • 11:30 a.m. Children’s Activities.
  • 12:00 h Exhibition of the Cynological Service of the Civil Guard.
  • 12:30 h Roncescan Foundation exhibition. Help dogs, assistance dogs.

From that time on, the Chueca square will host the traditional pet parade and charity market. The celebration will move on Wednesday to the Church of San Antonwith the blessing of the animals from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

When is San Anton

The celebration of San Antón is linked to Saint Anthony Abbot. His life was marked by his stage in the desert, where he retired after donating his assets and becoming an orphan at the age of 20, according to Vatican News. Depictions of him include a hermit staff and a pig. The existence of this animal in his illustrations has to do with the ancient hospital Order of the “Antonians”, who raised pigs in inhabited centers because their fat was used to “anoint those suffering from ergotism.” For this reason, on the day of the liturgical feast, January 17, stables and domestic animals are blessed.