Three Kings Parade
On the evening of January 5th, Spain celebrates Christmas with the Cabalgata de Reyes Magos, or Three Kings Parade. Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, the Three Kings of Spain, carry gifts to youngsters on camels instead of Santa Claus.
This magnificent parade turns Spanish cities into a display of light, music, and holiday pleasure. The Kings ride through the streets with their royal entourage of pages, dancers, musicians, and magnificently painted floats, wearing lavish robes and crowns.
Children wait for the Kings to arrive, hoping to grab candy and tiny gifts from the floats. Many write Kings with wishes and promises of good behaviour. On the night before the parade, some children leave shoes, drink, and food for the Kings and their camels.
Christmas music, crowd cheers, and camel hooves create an exciting atmosphere. Nativity, fairy tale, and children’s story floats are common in parades. Wonder and enchantment emanate from the Kings.
The Kings often arrive by boat in coastal cities, adding a naval touch to the celebration. Larger cities have huge parades with hundreds of participants and thousands of onlookers. Whatever its magnitude, the Cabalgata de Reyes Magos is a cultural legacy passed down through centuries.
On Epiphany morning, January 6, children find gifts from the Three Kings.
This day is for family reunions, joyous dinners, and gifts. A concealed figurine and bean are often hidden in the Roscon de Reyes, a ring-shaped cake, for Epiphany. The figurine finder becomes king or queen for the day, while the bean finder pays for the cake. The Spanish Christmas Three Kings Parade is a magnificent celebration of charity, pleasure, and childish delight.
